Anyone have success with Aquaponics?

[Robo Jester]

Thinking dutch buckets or grow beds.
I don't see this working well with a raft system.

Input?

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

We've also wondered about this. Would love to have bud on top and tilapia on bottom.
But we know very little about either at this point...

 

[dumme]

I use an Aeroponic-Aquaponic method.

 

[dumme]

What would you like to know?

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

To see it in action and a basic break down of how it works and how to maintain it. Would be a huge help

 

[dumme]

[video]

This is my older grow.

[video]

Heres a look at my upgraded grow.

I use low pressure Aeroponics, so clogged sprinkle heads are a normal daily headache.
I run continuous spray, as my fish need good clean water to live. I also grow using trout which is a harder fish to keep.

My target nutrients and water readings:

pH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0.0
Nitrites: 0.0
Nitrates: 0-400+ppms
Phosphate: 30-40ppms
Potassium: 235ppms (or 2/3 of nitrate, or 2× your phosphate)
Calcium: 100-200ppms
Magnesium: 48ppms
Iron (Fe): 2-3ppms
Boron: 0.5
Manganese: 0.5-1.0ppms
Zinc: 0.05ppms
Molybdenum: 0.02ppms
Copper: 0.02ppms

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

WOW! That is amazing to see in action. Most folks on the line talk about how it's not a real option. So to see a setup re motivates me to try it.

How do you keep your ph in range for the plants?
Do you have to ph the water ever?

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

Also do you know of any crops that can be grown in saltwater?
Shrimp are something we want to persue.

 

[dumme]

Yes, I'm cheap, so I use tap water. It's very high pH, so I use phosphoric acid.
Sorry, I don't know of any plants that like saltwater other than seaweed.

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

Awe ok, do you have to supplement the plants with fertilizer or do you get all they need just from the fish water?

 

[OttawaGreen]

Wow that is very cool. In wondered about this too.
What do you do when the fish get big?

 

[dumme]

Awe ok, do you have to supplement the plants with fertilizer or do you get all they need just from the fish water?

Yes, I supplement nutrients the fish and fish food can't supply. Rock Phosphate, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, and FeEDDHA is all I use after high quality fish feed. All organic or food grade.

 

[dumme]

Wow that is very cool. In wondered about this too.
What do you do when the fish get big?

Eat them, lol, they're Brook & Rainbow Trout.

 

[OttawaGreen]

That's what I was hoping to hear
Will check out the videos at home later

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

Amazing, confirms all that I want to do as a viable option. As long as all the nutes and such are affordable on a long term.

 

[dumme]

Let me know if there's anything else that I can help you with.

 

[dumme]

Premixes like General Hydroponics and Advanced Nutrients are very expensive. The combination of Aquaponics and the small amount of additives I use are about $50 a year, and like I mentioned, I can eat the fish.
It's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. I'll never go back to soil or hydroponic methods.

 

[OttawaGreen]

How big do the fish get in there? Thanks for sharing, your setup is really cool.

 

[dumme]

I've upgraded themain fishtank, since the video was taken, so the Brookies will grow to a foot and a half easy. Raindow tend to stay smaller.

 

[TWINTURBODOGO]

I fully see the advantages of having a system that'll give you 2 crops instead of one. This has been a want of ours for a couple years now.
The biggest hurdle we've had is the lack of experience and lack of a good starting plan.
We're not real sure how to go about setting one up and what all we'd need to start a good system.
Our dreams are to have a small, home aquaponic farm and raise tilapia, trout and even saltwater shrimp.
In the desert southwest.
You have an amazing setup.
Do you have to have strong water flow for trout?