Aquaponics

[Ludi]

Here's the 300 gallon aquaponics system I'm setting up for Bluegill and Channel Catfish.  Two 150 gallon tanks and sump.  Growbeds will be at the back (not built yet):



More about aquaponics:

http://www.aquaponics.net.au/aqua1/
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/index.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV9CCxdkOng

[MissingWillow]

Very interesting.  What will the grow beds be made out of and what will you do with the fish?  We get ours from a traveling fishwagon.

[Ludi]

The growbeds will be made from 55 gallon plastic barrels cut in half.  We plan to eat the fish.   

[Ludi]

Been working on the system a bit. 

Here's the growbed support I built:



Scrubbing out the growbeds:



Future new sump tank because the present one isn't deep enough:



Setup.  There will be more growbeds along the side:

[Ludi]

Incremental progress.

New sump tank and floating island grow beds:

[Ludi]

Floating islands growing basil, chard and lettuce:

[Ludi]

Got a couple more tanks and moved things around a bit.



Why is there always a giant rock right where I want my sump tank to be?

[mlheran]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing your progress, keep up the great work!

[Ludi]

Thanks! 

Here's the present layout:



We had our first aquaponic salad last night!

[tomico]

My friend and I have just become enthralled with the idea of aquaponics. I'm obsessed with figuring out the varieties of vegetables that are best for the pH ranges and the varieties of fish that would work in our zone 6 climate. I think we may be using ebb and flow with Hydroton grow medium.

How is the floating system work for you? Are you going to experiment with more varieties of vegetables and or fruit? Have you been using any varieties of vegetables that normally grow in ponds rivers or lakes such as lotus, duck potato, or water cress? Are you using a single type of fish or are you using a variety?

There are a variety of options and varieties within each option. It will take me some time to plan out my system but the possibilities are exciting.

Tomico