Aquaponics set ups

[enrgizerbunny]

I know I'm not the only one that has one of these, but I wanted to share!

I've got my 55, the 10 gallon on my dresser that is empty/cycling, and now one of my two aquaponics systems set up. The media was still damp from the previous set up it was in, so hopefully the cycle won't take long!

The blue containers are 35 gallon Rubbermaid totes from Wal-Mart. The pump is a 300 gph pond pump from Lowe's that I got a deal on, it's heavily turned down and will likely be replaced by a 100 gph pump when I get one for energy savings. The fill/drain cycle is 7 minutes for one complete fill/drain.

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[andresdeo]

Love aquaponics setups! Yours are looking good, specially like the one outside. Hopefully I can set one up when I have space. Following, post photos when you get shoots!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Thanks, I've still got to pick up a grow light for the indoor set up. I added 5 mL of ammonia, which brought it up to 6 ppm. The grow media was still damp from the last time it was running (previous owner). I don't know if any bb are still alive, but I'm hoping that some are. Regardless I'll be pulling a sponge from my canister and burying it in the grow bed soon. Once the ammonia drops I'll feel comfortable introducing fish.

I was going to use goldfish, but I'm concerned about the size of my system. I only have 35 gallons, so I'm thinking maybe a bunch of rosy reds. I'm also thinking of starting some goldies in the 35 and then moving them outside because that system has a 70 gallon tank. I would grow food fish, but I just don't have enough room.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Added the grow light today. 18 bucks at Wal-Mart today.

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[andresdeo]

Yes that looks better, specially since the grow bed level is considerably lower than the top of the container! Hope to see crops soon, do you know what the minimun water volume is to grow tilapia or any other fish that can be eaten?

 

[enrgizerbunny]

More than I have in there I'm sure. I'd reckon you would need like 300 gallons.

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[enrgizerbunny]

Picked up some broccoli and spinach today, the spacing is off because I have a sponge buried on one side of the media to kick start the cycle.

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[andresdeo]

Did you plant those directly or did they come from seeds?

 

[Brookster123]

Very veryy cool bunny!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Purchased seedlings

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[andresdeo]

Awesome! Waiting on the flavor test then!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Also brought home 3 feeder goldies that are in the 10 gallon while the system cycles.

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[misfitstimm]

Love the set up. Have one of my own using a 55 gallon and have to grow beds. Been going from seeds. Tomato loves it

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Update:

Scrapped the indoor setup, moved everything outside. My plants stopped growing, not sure why, but the one in the pot is doing better than the plants in the media. Going to add fish tomorrow, did a 90% water change today to get the silt out of the water.

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[enrgizerbunny]

Note the plant in the pot is larger than the others in the media. Was adding fertilizers, but I'm just going to add fish and monitor closely.

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[Brookster123]

Looks great!! Keep us posted on progress! Still Goldie's making the plant food?

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Looks great!! Keep us posted on progress! Still Goldie's making the plant food?

Well now that I have some goldies that look like they're going to make it, I'm going to move them in tonight because I'm impatient.

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[enrgizerbunny]

Update: the 3 fish that have been moved to outside seem to be doing alright, despite the chilly water temperature, but it hasn't dropped below 50 degrees, so it's not terrible.

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[enrgizerbunny]

My broccoli have their first blooms forming. My system finally is cycled and my phosphorous deficiencies are all solved with the fish growing in the bottom, these plants have taken off. in the last week they've doubled in size. Goldfish in the bottom get fed 2-3 times a day with peas often to prevent digestion issues and ensure plenty of poop is available.

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[cfosgate]

Hurray! Great news.