I am looking at setting up an aquaculture system with a 200 gallon tank 55 gallon barrel for sedimentation tank, a flood and drain system consisting of 255 gallon barrels cut in half into a sump, then the water will be pumped from the sump into another 55 gallon barrel for filtration before spilling into the tank again.

I know I will need two of the same pumps to keep water flowing in both directions. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations on size and a good brand. I was thinking somewhere in the 300 to 500 GPH range but would like to hear from people with experience.

Picture is just too help gain your attention I wish it was possible to grow these

Moving, so I’m taking down my system for now. PM me if interested in 14 bluegill. About 4-6” long. No shipping or transport.

I know a bunch of larger breeders and large scale hobbyist who all seem to swear by adding Pothos directly to their tanks. (Ohio Fish Rescue prominently has it stringing across 100s of feet of tanks.) Through my conversations with them they swear it reduces needs for water changes, helps keep the water chemistry stable and also ends up providing cover for fry and smaller fish.

I decided to see what benefits it really provides and frankly, after a month on an established grow tank, I am not sure if I am seeing any real benefits. Yes the roots and fish basket provide structure for smaller fry and younger fish to get away. The two species of Pothos I used are growing at 3x the rate of the same plant in my daughter’s terrarium which has grow lights, without additional supplemental lighting. So the Pothos is loving it, but I don’t really see any benefits for the tank. My water change routine is unchanged. The black water is still full of tannins and seemingly uneffected by the Pothos. Parameters seem unchanged.

My question is are the benefits people are claiming to see real (but I haven’t had it running long enough) or just in their heads? Are their other plants that may work better? To be clear, Pothos and Avocado are in plant bin directly in tank.

My grow bed size will be 20" x 15" x 7" and I'm planning on growing strawberries (?) Or maybe just decorative plants like coleus.

Tank is 29 gallons, I'll have an air pump, and a pump traveling water up 2 PVC pipes up to the grow bed, with a sponge underneath where the water is coming out (To collect solid waste)

I'm still trying to figure out the balance of how many fish I need to produce nutrients for the plants, and how many plants I need for the plants to help the fish... But also I want the fish to be comfortable.

I'm new to aquaponics and in general new to taking care of fish. Last time I took care of fish was in my aquaculture class years ago with 2 guppies in a 10 gallon tank that we barely did anything with. There were also aquaponic systems in the greenhouse but it was like 4 koi fish in a pretty small space (at least in my opinion)

This is a project for STEM club that I've been researching about for months, but I'm still really confused about a lot of things. I'm the only one working on it since a lot of people in the club only get interested once they actually see the project in front of them. 🤷‍♂️ I still need a bell siphon...🥲

Also am I able to put decoratives in the tank? Like drift wood, live plants, substrate, etc... Or would that mess up the system? I've only ever seen aquaponic tanks without decoratives.

Some 8 month old kale plant (1) that keeps producing tasty baby leaves in my basement

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Hi all,

We are working on a DWC system with an SLO for waste management and would love some advice. Specifically:

1. Are there key things I should watch out for when setting up this system?
2. Is it feasible to combine both mechanical and biological filtration into a single barrel?

Looking forward to your suggestions—thanks in advance!

I'd like to build an indoor IBC chop and flip for a fun side project. I've started compiling a list of parts. It looks to be at least $700-$800. I haven't found a recent and itemized list of parts with prices so curious if this looks right. Also, I would appreciate any money saving changes/advice. For example, if I could ditch the grow media for deep water culture, if possible. Thanks!

• IBC Tote (Local on Craigslist) = $50
• Water Pump (link) = $90
• Air Pump (link) = $30
• Grow Light (link) = $180
• Grow Media (assuming 11 cubic ft) = $250
  • Lava Rock 3 cuft (link) = $6.57/bag * 6 = $40
  • Pea Gravel 4 cuft (link) = $5.68/bag * 8 = $45
  • Clay Pebbles 5 cuft (link) = $55 * 3 = $150
• PVC (10ft 1" pipe + 10ft 2" pipe) = $8.48 + $17.74 = $25
• Plumbing kit (link) = $110
  • I could source the individual parts for cheaper with a little more work

Hey all! Setting up my first system in North Alabama. Seeds are poppin' and system is almost done cycling on an indoor 40 gallon 1:1 CHOP setup! Anyone in the North Alabama Huntsville area?

Again this is hypothetical. I’m in California and thinking of getting a set up with a couple goldfish. The plants would be planted in aquarium soil I already have that the solar pump would push water through before it flows back into the barrel.

I don’t think the clay pebble soil would hold much water so I’m not super concerned about anaerobic bacteria. I’m curious how much the nitrates/ammonia would build up overnight. Could this be offset by having some (protected) plants in the 55 gal with the fish? Not that the plants would be doing much at night since they are also solar powered. Maybe an old foam filter attached to a buoy?

I’m open to changing the fish if that would make a difference. Thoughts?

I’m curious about how to make aquaponics more accessible for small scale people who just want to grow some extra basil/leafy greens.

Hi, I'm new to aquaponics and have been experiencing algae growth in the grow beds of my self - any advice on how to prevent this? Thanks!

Off-grid Aqua + fishpond = water -->autopot Tank gravity = no electricity use @ 2022 proof tested North islands Chaehom

So awhile back ago I got a 10 gallon tank for some aquaponics to begin my hobby. Now I have two. One is going to my mother which I will visit frequently almost daily, so I can make sure the fish and plants are okay, and one here at my home to help grow some lettuce or a tomato plant. I’m not looking to selling anything more just enough the things with my family. For the tank going to my mother’s (fyi going to be in the house with people moving around and dogs) I want to get a betta fish probably female, do some small aquascape, and hopefully tank mates. I’m think try a mystery snail, and some celestial pearl Danios. I am a bit worried the betta won’t get along with the Danios. As for my tank it will be by itself in the garage and I mainly want the fish to have help from them doing aquaponics and give them a very comfortable life. So I want to get some fish either to raise and eat, which I doubt would work in a 10 gal., or to learn about them mainly (either way I’m learning 😭). If there are any red flags I said please tell me and I’m looking forward to making a happy, vibrant, crazy tank for some fishies!! Edit already: I forgot they’re 20 gal. 🤦

I started an experimental aquaponics setup at the beginning of covid to occupy myself and the experiment has basically run its course. I threw a bunch of clover seeds in the grow bed recently for giggles and the majority of them only grew one leaf. Is that weird?

I’m designing my ebb and flow system using 5 gallon buckets for the plants. I bought white ones that say they are food grade from walmart. I’m gonna start with just hydroponics but want to add the tilapia later.

Are these buckets safe for the plants, fish, and most importantly people eating it all?

Just looking for recommendations for everything including fish food, nutrients, etc for an startup

I recieved this for free (lights not pictured). I know I need a sump bucket, but my concern is how the water flows.

I know nothing about aquaponics, but looking at this set up it looks like water would sit in the legs. I'm also not sure how water is distributed to each row? Did I assemble it correctly?

I'm open to any suggestions.

So right now my system is a very simple top down system with a bell siphon, no extra containers for bio filters or catch any solid waste aside from a filter cloth at the end of the pump which will be rinsed out every week. Right now the amount of life in my 4x2 fee tank is a bunch of mosquito fish and 4 climbing perch (just testing it out for now). While the water is still clear, I wonder how long will it take for the bacteria break down the waste in my 3x2 media bed for the plants to absorb and what’s the breaking point assuming I replace the existing fish with those that produces large amounts of waste like a walking catfish

Would love some opinions on my plans here. Looking at six 27-Gallon Totes filled halfway with hydroton clay, with two 3-Gallon Buckets in each with the bottoms cut off and burlap secured to the bottom. These will be secured and sit on the surface of the hydroton clay balls.

The back Tote will sit 7" off the ground and the front tote will be 5.5". The totes will be fed from a 3" PVC pipe on the back wall that will sit about three feet off the ground. I may have a tiny decline in elevation to attempt to get flow evenish to all three drains for the totes.

The totes will be connected with 3" PVC pipe and again with a small decline in elevation to help gravity get nutrients to the bottom tote. The bottom tote will contain a bell siphon that drains into another 3" PVC running to a reservoir. Hopefully i can get the line correct to fill the back tank and front tank, probably have to have a higher line for hydroton in the front tote.

Reservoir will pump back up to the fish tank.

The Fish tank will drain to a filter and then be pumped to my aquarium chiller before returning down the feed pipe. I will probably get it all setup without the fish tank and just experiment with dual root zone and then eventually add in the fish tank, measurements are based on a 150gal.

What am I missing? Any suggestions?

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I have always been intrigued by different aquaponic systems I've seen online, and I finally have the time to start my own in my classroom. I know absolutely nothing about where to start. I have a 20 gallon tank that I can use, but I'm at a loss at what supplies I should get. I have a hydroponic tower that students plant veggies and herbs in, so I was thinking the fishtank could be more tropical house plants, like monstera or pothos. Im stuck on what size bell siphon would I need, the right media to grow plants in, how to tube everything together, what fish to get, etc. Any advice would be extremely helpful.

So, for an FFA class I’m in, we have a project where we have to explain and design an aquaponics system. The problem I’m having is figuring out what to buy, and from where. I don’t know where to buy stuff specifically for aquaponics. I need a filter, pump, tank, growbed, grow media(like gravel and stuff, I’m sure I don’t need to explain it though). We’re required to use a 75 gallon tank. I’m planning on using goldfish w/ kale(unless that’s bad).

Any suggestions/recommendations? And is there any problem with what I’m planning on using?

This project is going to be a huge part of my grade if my design is chosen, and I’m not planning on half assing it