Gateway Aquaponics

[RonanOD]

Different climate here from many of the people on this forum but similar concerns about where the food we eat comes from. Interested in finding ways to grow safe and healthy plants and fish for my family.

All the best,
Ronan O'Driscoll

[Murray]

Good to see you on the forum....Welcome
There are other members here from northern USA so climate may be similar to theirs.

[RonanOD]

Thanks Murray

[RonanOD]

Hi all,

I am looking for the best way to ease into the whole aquaponics world. I like the beginning hydroponic system described in this instructable. It seems especially suited for modification to aquaponics as it is resting on a tank of water. I was thinking of using a larger tank so as I could add more fish. I would appreciate any ideas on how to extend this. Is it just a matter of adding fish? What about some kind of pump? Is it significant that the plants and fish would be in the same tank? Should they be separated? Lots of questions at this stage. I hope you understand.

Thanks

[Murray]

Hi RonanOD,
It is not a bad way to start.....I recommend some solid reading in Members Systems and see what others have done. There are a good number of small system ideas in there. You would be able to see how they have gone with their project.
It is a good place to start your Aquaponics life.
While it is good to take the best from hydroponics, aquaponics is really very different. The most obvious thing of difference are the fish.
Concentrate on a small system that will keep the fish happy and the plants will just follow on.

[Finn]

Hello from the other side of the Country.

I used something similar 5 years ago when I first started growing hydroponically. It allowed me to grow fresh tomatoes in my trailer as I didn't have an outside garden yet. I tried a couple of different methods (DWC, Raft and Aeroponics). Then last June I found Aquaponics and got hooked. All of my Hydro plans went out the window and I started out a small aquaponic Raft system.

A couple of things I found with the small system:

1. I did not have enough surface area for the nitrifying bacteria to grow on so I had to do water changes.

2. Solid fish waste built up quickly.

3. I needed more plants to pull out the Nitrates.

4. Things change really quick in the small system.

I would recommend a small flood and drain (on timer, I couldn't scale down an auto-syphon small enough and have it still work) with a grow bed volume of at least what your fish tank is.

Here is a link that has photos of a very simple system.

http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/showthread.php?t=701

There is a commercial Aquaponics farm in your province. Future Aqua Farms, it might be worth a visit if they are close enough.