Aquaponics????
 

I was gonna throw this on another thread, but decided it was not fair to sidetrack like that...

So I'm gonna throw some aquaponics bits on this thread as it interests me. Everyone else feel free to add or detract as you see fit. :D

Re: Aquaponics????
 

I like the 2nd one better. I may do this once I get settled.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Very into aquaculture and aquaponics. I really want to grow my own fish for food. Cropking has 2 cool products I'd probably go with. Both the units pictured would cost about $5k... ouch. They both could probably be built cheaper though. Cool subject, neat hobby, tasty food!

http://www.cropking.com/HydroponicSu...hilm01_LRG.jpg

http://www.cropking.com/HydroponicSu...uhs300_LRG.jpg

Re: Aquaponics????
 

I did a research project on aquaponics last year. I'll see if I can find it somewhere.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Too many irons in too many fires now for me.....can't take on another thing right now, but looks interesting.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

That's a really cool idea, I hadn't heard of aquaponics until now.

I feel sort of sorry for those gold fish though :/

Re: Aquaponics????
 

My understanding is that it is a win/win situation. The water is supposedly quite nice for the fish. What part makes you feel bad for them? I don't think the addition of colored gravel would make them happier... though you could.

Sounds exciting, TIA...

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Don't feel bad for the goldfish. As mentioned it is a win/win situation. The plants filter out the excessive fish chit out of the water for food and in turn that makes the water quality good again for the fish.

Instead of goldfish, try tilapia.... thems good eatins.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

yes this is an excellent system. It forms part of my "dream" which is what I am working on now. I want property/land and a food source. This is my chosen food source.

For ideas take a look at www.backyardaquaponics.com

They have lots of good information. A forum etc.

There are interviews of the above guy on a gardeing show but I can't find just yet. Worth looking at his site for ideas like fish types etc. I have done some hydroponic gardening before, once you get the system working it is pretty easy to maintain.

I'm going to build myself an earthship, grow fish and veggies. All I need.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

In the second video the fish tubs just seemed really dark, that's all. :)

I guess I would choose white tubs, lol

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Thanks for this. I have developed a fond interest for aquaponics and talapia does indeed seem the way to go. Food in both parts of the system.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Bump. Just wondering if anyone has gone ahead and started their own aquaponics system. This seems like the way to go. I'm currently designing a small system, about 400L. Anyone wish to share their experiences?

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i just put a pond on my place an put in 3 dozen catfish

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Nice! This is pretty cool stuff. Not as simple as it might seem at first sight, but pretty cool.

I'm putting in a solids separation tank; do you use one? Do you pump out of the pond?

Re: Aquaponics????
 

it spring feed an run off water take care of it later this summer going to get a few more dozen of catfish i may put a feeder in . right now i just carry a bucket an feed them from it once a week

Re: Aquaponics????
 

i look at a Aquaponics but it look like it could be trouble if the power was out so i did it the easy way . low cost no power needed . when doing a pond i spread lime in it when we got it ready to start holding water , guy told me the lime will make the dirt tighter an not leak

Re: Aquaponics????
 

I have a small system started. I bought a kit from Aquaponics.com and got started with about $3k. I'm doing other things right now, but am going to get back to it when I have the time. As it is now, it's paying for itself--which is all I care about for the time being. Right now, I'm working lots of hours and traveling which is important $$$ for preps and the future.

http://www.aquaponics.com/catalog.htm

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Yeah, the power thing is a string of dependence. But if you've got solar, you're set. One more reason to get solar.

I like your low-tech approach, too bad we don't all have the right location.


Cool. And yes, I can already tell this takes some time to get up and running, and then to maintain. Thankfully I can manage my time.


I think the potential efficiency in the water usage and productivity, along with the fact that this is much less destructive to the environment than traditional farming, are very strong points in favor of aquaponics.

Integrated to other so called "green" technologies, such as perma-culture or bio-fuel production, this could go somewhere.

Here's a video that mentions some of that integration at the DIY level. More than anything it's pretty funny. Also includes a brief mention of chemtrails, for the fans.

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Re: Aquaponics????
 

http://www.aquaticeco.com/search/0/aquaponics
I used these guys when I had a couple of reef tanks and have purchased air blowers for an outdoor pond. They have high quality professional stuff.

Re: Aquaponics????
 

yes this is a very cool idea indeed.........while i was living in hawaii (big island) i saw a demonstration by a couple doing a large operation that seems to be gathering steam. They used talapia since it seem's to be a very durable fish, and now that i think about it they grew clams and giant prawns too! The talapia grew quite large also.

the veggies they grew all seemed to be on steroids and very nutritious looking........to the future!!!!!!!

Re: Aquaponics????
 

I've found Tilapia are widely favoured, at least in part because, as someone put it, "they're prolific crappers".

I think I'm going to initially focus on the veggie production. Killing my farmers just seems so cruel!

:bawling:




Oh, and BTW... to the future!

:coolbeer:

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Oh man, check this out. If this doesn't get your wheels turning...

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To the person who built this:

:applause_:applause_:applause_

:36_1_32v::36_1_32v::36_1_32v:

Re: Aquaponics????
 

Another factor is that they are warm-water fish. Should they escape into US or Canadian waterways they are unlikely to survive to become an invasive species.

And they're tasty!

Re: Aquaponics????
 

You arkansas/Mo land? Sounds familiar to a lot of things I am looking at. I agree, the pond has all that if you have spring fed you could just direct the water. Why bother with all the technology when nature already invented it?