THE Aquaponics System Thread (merged)

[Aimrehtopyh]

Thanks for the offer of equipment, Dawn.

Since I pulled my head out of my @$$ I've been able to keep all my fish alive.



I have seven goldies in there now. Instead of slamming them in there all at once I added them one by one over the course of about five days. Before adding one I would measure the ammonia and nitrite to make sure that the bacteria were keeping up. The ammonia and nitrite are zero now.

Last night I learned that my tap water has a pH of almost 9. The tank isn't much better.

My son picked out the castle, I admire his taste.

[Dawn]

I didn't see your reply for some reason. I wouldn't worry about the pH as long as the fish are fine. Products like pH up and pH down can cause large swings at aren't stable. Stable water is better than fluctuations. Goldfish are pretty tough and that pH is in their tolerance range. Also, many times after the water has aged for awhile the water will gas off and the pH will lower. Build up of organic matter can also cause the pH to drop over time, but that usually in in older tanks.

The castle is cute! We have a no fishing sign in our daughters tank.

[Aimrehtopyh]

I had a reporter and photographer in my house yesterday afternoon. My lettuce and I might be pictured in the earth day edition of my local paper!

[Dawn]

I had a reporter and photographer in my house yesterday afternoon. My lettuce and I might be pictured in the earth day edition of my local paper!

Congrats! Will you post the article when/if it's published? I'd like to read it.

[Aimrehtopyh]

Front page, man!

My wife did a blog with the full text.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse ... =484797331
Thank you, Dawn, for your help and persistence. Without your input I would probably still be floundering.

[careinke]

Nice article! I had not heard about recycling compost runoff. Looks like another project added to my list.

[DryObserver]

So, what's the cheapest system that anyone on here has that produces any significant supplies of vegetables and/or edible fish?

Thanks in advance.

[brandylorton]

Very good aquaponics system prepared dear keep the good work going on. From that all the system i liked the first small setup that acquired only 102 watts per day.

[brandylorton]

So, what's the cheapest system that anyone on here has that produces any significant supplies of vegetables and/or edible fish?

Thanks in advance.

It is the combination of both teh aquaponics and the hydroponics system because one is not completed without the other and in combination to each other both give the best results.

[jbrovont]

Aimrehtopyh! Nice job! The first few grows are the hardest while your miniature ecosystem settles in. I always find our clients struggle the most with getting the right bacteria in place and thriving - once you get that, the rest of the battle is down-hill. We have a couple of small aquaponic farms we work with, and they actually sell living lava rock based colonies to jump-start people. Generally they go for anywhere from $5 to $10 per pound (picked up)...yet another product you can supply with your successful project. They don't really ship (well), so the best way to get them is locally.

Again, nice job!

[PrestonSturges]

There seems to be multiple aquaponics systems based on IBC totes which gives you 250+ gallons of capacity for about $100. It seems likes some of them involve sawing off the top of the tank to make a planter and using the remaining 200+ gallons for fish.

[brandylorton]

Talk to someone whos grows marijuana. Stoners are the most ingenuis and clever people around IF you can get them motivated. A motivated stoner is a force to be reckoned with.

If anyone can grow something in an unusual and highly productive manner its a pothead! They have probably already been down every failed attempt you can think of.

Thats my advice. Find some stoners man. They'll get you on the right track in no time.

The production of marijuana is illegal all the ways that is what i have to say here. so do not get involve in to that at all.