STARTING OUR AQUAPONICS

AQUAPONICS R US

We've heard a lot about Aquaponics / Hydroponics and never gave it much thought until someone explained it in simple terms.

"Fish Poop, Fish Poop is pumped into Grow Beds, Plants eat Fish Poop, Plants Poop, Plant Poop is pumped into Fish Tanks, Fish eat Plant Poop.":   We then go fishing and eat fish and plants.  Simple?

These systems can be set up anywhere. I chose to make a dedicated table for ours.  We already had the countertop for another project so that didn't cost anything. 

There are 3 components for a basic Aquaponics system.  The Fish Tank, The grow Beds, and The Pump.  We used two storage bins from Rona to use as our Grow Beds.  They were flat bottomed, 10 inches tall, 24 inches long, and 16 inches wide, and big enough for a good starter system.  The Fish Tanks, and Sump Tank (Where the pump is used) are 68l Rubbermaids. 

Each Grow Bed needs and intake and a drain.  This is the drain system.  The snorkel (white PVC) is 5 inches tall.  This will allow the water to be pumped up to this height before starting to drain into the fish tanks.  Timing can be off with the flow from the pump, so this design allows the pump to pump a little longer than needed without fear of overflowing the Grow Bed.  The 3 inch ABS pipe with the holes in it allows the water to flow freely out the drain without fear of media blocking the drain.  This keeps it away.

This photo shows the ABS screen tube in place over the PVC drain pipe.

Each Grow Bed needs to have an intake coming from the pump.  We found these fittings at a local pond supply.  

In order to keep the media from blocking the intake I made this screen tube from a PVC connector, with a screen glued to the top.  This one fit onto the intake fitting perfectly.  Media can be totally surrounding the intake and no worries of it plugging.

This Photo shows the PVC screen in place over the intake.

Under the table, is where the hoses are fitted.  The yellow hose are connected to a T and then a ball valve, which goes to the pump.  The clear tubing brings the water back from the Grow Bed to the Fish Tank.  In the back ground you will notice a tube connecting the Fish Tank to the Sump Tank where the pump is housed.  As the water flows out of the Grow Beds, it flows into the Fish Tank.  Since there will be more water than the Fish Tank can hold, it now flows into the Sump Tank, full of Fish Poop, and ready for pumping into the Grow Beds. (NOTE the wood shelf in the middle,  This houses an air pump to bubble oxygen into the fish and sump tanks.)

The pump must cycle long enough to fill the Grow Beds to drain level for a specified amount of time.  Then it shuts off long enough for the water to drain out to the level of the PVC drain.  All this water flows into the fish tanks where the nutrients from the plants feeds the fish..   

This is the underside of the cabinet showing the intake hoses from the pumps

Note the ball valve on the pump hose.  This allows more control over the flow of the intake, as well as a means of draining all the water out of the Grow Beds if needed.

Here Denise fills the beds with Hydrocorn, the media where the plants will grow.  Make sure you rinse it thoroughly to remove dirt and dust. Now comes the fun part. timing the system and checking it for nitrates, nitrites and ammonia.  We will cycle this for a few weeks before any fish and plants are introduced.  

BIG SCORE PLACES TO FIND KILLER DEALS

These are some of the BEST places we have found for killer deals on prepping materials.  These are Canadian Places but the US has some similar gold mines as well.

PRINCESS AUTO

Although they tend to have workshop, auto, farm and welding materials, we did manage to find a killer deal on Aluminum Foil Lined Bags.  These are excellent for use in a vacuum sealer.  and at $1.99 for a 5 pack of 6 inch x 24 inch bags, this is good value, in Canada, anyway.  These bags can be cut to size and used to make great MRE or snack bags that will be waterproof.  How about a water containment system for 150 dollars?  1000 liters of water for storage. 

VALUE VILLAGE

Blows my mind when people say they won't shop there because it is used stuff. Some of the scores we have found are:  Down MEC winter jacket, NEVER WORN, 30 bux.   Pressure Canners for $19.00.  Mason Jars for canning.  Tomato press, hand held beater, buckets for gardening, books on gardening, books on hydroponics, meat grinders.  All this can be found for peanuts. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY's RESTORE

Ok, I am letting the cat out of the bag on this one.  This and Value Village are our two most favorite places to shop for deals.  If you need building supplies, go here first.  HFHR accepts donations from contractors and retailers as well as private citizens who are renovating and hate to throw out good materials, that some one could use.

Windows, Plumbing supplies, wood trim, furniture, piping, cupboards, anything electrical, even Christmas Trees can be found here..  Some of our best deals were:  20 pairs of BLUM self closing drawer slides, normally 60 dollars per pair, we got them for 5.  1/2 horse compressor rated electric motor,  BRAND NEW, 20 dollars.  Like new bathtubs, 25 dollars, Weedeaters 20 bux.  Track Lights 2 for 10 bux.  Normally I would not mention Habitat but they are the only true charity I love to support.  The money they collect goes for building houses for deserving people.  There is a catch.  You never know what they will have.  If you pass it up today, it will be gone tomorrow.  We have scored huge being here at the right time.  We have also been totally disappointed when we found a killer deal, went home to measure something and found it was gone an hour later.   If you have used materials, contact them for a donation.  Some facilities will pick up. 

LIQUIDATION WORLD

Like HFHR if you don't grab it then and there, it may be gone when you go back.  This place (Owned by Big Lots) sells overstocked items, food, clothing, and some tools.  Some of the best deals we have found are RAIN-X windshield wipers for 6 dollars (normally 24).  Canned goods are a favorite target for us at LW.  Watch for expiry dates and you can have spagetti sauce for a buck a can. 

DOLLAR STORE

Like Liquidation World, you can find killer deals here.  This is a great place to look for some electronics, food, household stuff, bleach, bug out bags (the bag not the bug out stuff), and medical supplies.   Although it is called the Dollar Store, most stuff is not just a dollar, but it won't be much more than that.

FLEA MARKETS

Oh Boy Oh Boy.  This can be the Mecca of super deals if you know what you are looking for.  Meat Grinders, Hand tools, Electronics etc etc.  You can even haggle for the end price.  I have made off with gas cans, tools, wood block planes, Survival books, Videos, Medical Supplies.  There is always some gem to be had if you know what you are looking for.  Avoid well worn tools unless you are prepared to repair them.   Who knows, you might even find that super tool stolen from your neighbor's garage last month, for 5 bux.