Very simple system

[Ryan B]

Hello from Fishers, Indiana, USA.

I have been reading this forum and other sites for info on AP systems for about 4 months now. I would like to have a system up and running by the end of the growing season here(mid Sept).

I found plans on line for a water culture hydroponics set up-

http://www.simplyhydro.com/free2.htm

this is simply an aquarium with a raft with grow cupsin it, and an air stone in the tank.

Could I build this and just put fish in the tank? Seems very simple and I already have a 200 liter fish tank. Any thoughts?

[Jonathan Dyer]

G’Day Ryan,

A nice site you have found there. I once had a very similar system like the one shown there, it is a really good system to see root growth each day. Everything they say I agree with as well.

However, Aquaponics varies slightly different from such hydroponic systems.

1. You will require a bio-filter of a kind in order to convert the fish wastes ammonia, into nitrites and eventually into nitrates. An under-gravel filter will work fine but you will need to clean the waste build up in the gravel regularly. I would recommend an external bio-filter something you should be able to pick up relative cheap at an aquarium store, a small submersible pump in order to cycle the tank water through the filter and one or so air stones will work quite will. Combining an under-gravel filter includes the air stones, bio-filter and pump you should have a good start.
2. The floating raft is a little more tricky in aquaponics as those delicious plant roots are a fishes delight and will never get the chance to grow. You will need to separate the plant roots from your fish the best you can perhaps a divider or another tank growing the plants connected with you fish tank or even fish that don’t eat plants will help.
3. Very soon you will realise that fish wastes alone are not enough to feed your plants in order to support full growth and development. Hence, external fertiliser will be needed and by saying ‘fertiliser’ it is as simple as 5 or so teaspoons of seaweed extract for a tank that size per month and a teaspoon of EDTA Iron perhaps every month or more. This is just a guide a close eye on your plants will tell you when they need more fertiliser as different plants require different amounts and of course seasonal growth etc.
4. They don’t elaborate on what the growing medium should be and is very important. It needs to be something that is able to draw water from the tank by capillary action these include, cotton wool (I use this quite often), vermiculite, rockwool, coir fiber, there are a few others but I cant think of them at the moment memory block.

If you want to try something like this I recommend getting some lettuce seedlings ready for transplant such as cos, transplant the seedling soil and all (trying to wash soil off and you can damage the young fragile roots) making sure that you have packed your growing medium all around the seedling. Put it in place making sure that the capillary action is working and your off. From this experience you will have the confidence to expand and experiment to your hearts content.

[Tomer]

Hi Ryan
i am new as well to the world of AP, and a small jittery system i am in the process of building is called barrelponics, invented by Travis Hughey. it's a fun system to set up and a great way to learn the basics. although much more labor intensive than the aquarium, maybe as the next stage...
anyway, the link to the site where u can read about it and download the manual
good luck
regards
Tomer

http://www.fastonline.org/

[Jason Palenske]

Hey Ryan, I'm just down in Kansas trying to do the exact same thing, little in house set up off an aquarium. Let me know if you need any help since we can compare a little easier where to get supplies and such. I have about a month and half or so jump start on you and am more than willing to help you along. If you need anything just holler and I have a little thread called counter top over in the new systems section.

[imy]

You should be able to grow plants off your fish tank easily. I set up a very simple continious flow system in my primary school classroom which took a geranium cutting from a stick into a pretty hefty plant.

My system went like this:

-Gunky goldfish tank with fish, I had 3 goldfish in a 15L tank (the trick is to not clean it unless you REALLY have to, even then, just clean the glass and not disturb the gravel)
-Plastic container sitting on top with a bit of gravel in it (10-15cm) and holes poked in the bottom so the water drains right back into your tank.
-Small pump able to lift trickles of water (I had 3 thin aquarium hoses dripping onto the root ball of the plant)

I did cycle the gravel in the bed for about a week prior to planting and it was an already established fish tank.

That's how I did it and it worked. Maybe it was a fluke? :p