Love for Life

Video: How To Build A Basic Aquaponics System - 3 Minutes 43 Seconds

Here is an interesting video on aquaponics, which is combining growing food with growing fish. The waste from the fish gets converted into food for the plants, and the plants recycle and clean the water for the fish. The beauty is no bugs because of raised beds, 1/10th of the regular water use, and my favourite, its all automated and hands off! Regards Peter

A basic guide on how to build your own Aquaponic system. This system is based on the barrel ponic and S&S setup and was built by me in the summer of 07'

Video: How To Build A Basic Aquaponics System - 3 Minutes 43 Seconds

Basic Aquaponics System - Description of Basic Aquaponics System in Australia. Single grow bed media based systems - 2 Minutes 11 Seconds

Small Aquaponics System - Here is a short video of the system so far. Just got the fish... haven't planted yet. - 1 Minute 21 Seconds

Aquaponic Gardening System - These systems use fish to provide nutrients to the plants. They are not too difficult to build and they work very well. These were built by Jason in Austin. - 6 Minutes

Fish Powered Garden Part 1 - Fish systems, growing systems, eco food systems, Aquaponics, Hydroponics, PoopPonics - 9 Minutes 49 Seconds

Fish Powered Garden Part 2 - Fish systems, growing systems, eco food systems, Aquaponics, Hydroponics, PoopPonics - 9 Minutes 49 Seconds
a garden powered by fish! Fish eat, they poop/have bio-waste, the grow beds, acting as a filter, are laced with a good Bacteria that breaks down the bio-waste/poop (now known as Ammonia). This Ammonia, is then broken down again, into Nitrites. The Nitrite is broke down even more into Nitrate. (remember it like this, I before A) The Nitrates are then eaten by the plants. It is actually the plants that clean the water and return it to the fish. Where it all begins again. A fast growth rate like Hydro or Aeroponics. self-survival, sustaining self, off the grid, food control, Organic Control. family food protection, hedge inflation - 8 Minutes 42 Seconds

Backyard Aquaponics Install Video Part 1 - This is part one of an instructional video showing how to install one of our aquaponics kit systems. - http://www.youtube.com/user/backyardaquaponics - 11 Minutes

Backyard Aquaponics Install Video Part 2 - 9 Minutes

Backyard Aquaponics Install Video Part 3 - 5 Minutes 38 Seconds

See many other Aquaponic videos here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=aquaponics&aq=f

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COMMENTS: How To Build A Basic Aquaponics System (1st video at top of this webpage)

nattorro (1 year ago)

Real neat video. That is awesome. Really good idea with the container. It does not seem that the plants produced that much. It because they had a late start? oh, what did you feed the fish?

Aquaponic (1 year ago)
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Nattoro- Thanks for your comment and checking out my system. The plants were started in july and didn't really get going. This system is also located near the Mountains and there were many cloudy days. This was my first try with Aquaponics and I can't wait until this spring. Take care.
John

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WoundedEgo (1 year ago)

Nice, helpful video. I want to become more "self-sustaining" via a garden like this. Thanks for posting.

Aquaponic (1 year ago)
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You can be more "self-sustaining" and there is alot of information out there. This was my first try and I'm excited for the spring.
Take care and have a wonderful day.

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azriel590 (1 year ago)

It seems like everyone is using fish but one person I saw using compost water from his worm farm. Does it have to be fish to be a true AQUAponic farm? Cuz if the worms work I think I would prefer that method

Aquaponic (11 months ago)
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Good Question? Aquaponics is made up of 2 words Aquaculture and Hydroponics. So, most people use fish for aquaponics, but if someone is useing something different that's great. There are many possibilities if you figure out away for your plants and whatever else you use to live in a symbiotic relationship. Thanks and have a wonderful day.

John

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TokinLamb (1 year ago)

Nice setup! I think the aquaponic systems have a hard time producing tomatoes, peppers, and other fruiting plants. The fish dont provide enough nutrients.

Aquaponic (11 months ago)
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People have thought that only green leafy veges can be grown, but this is not true. If you pump all your fish waste into the grow beds, then even fruiting plants can grow. If you go to the barrelponics web site you will see that he has grown everything you can think of. Check out his papayas. Take care and have a good day.

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technofarming (11 months ago)

nice job on the video, I added it to my aquaponics section of my sustainable living forum. I sent you an email about it and the forum URL

Aquaponic (11 months ago)
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Thanks for your comments. I'll go and check it out. Take care and have a wonderful day.

John

Aquaponic (10 months ago)
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I have not checked out their website, so thanks for the heads up and your comment as well. Take care and happy planting.

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quebecostarica (9 months ago)

Which food industry is using that beautiful type of container? May i ask where you buy it and how much did you pay for it? I live in Costa Rica so any tips are welcome!

Aquaponic (9 months ago)
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Many different industries use these types of containers. The container I used was used to store a mold inhibitor that was sprayed on to corn and then feed to cows (and then we eat it...great!), but you can find them online under (I think) 1000L square plastic storage containers. If you go to Barrel Ponic you might see that other containers work just as well. Thanks for the comments and if you have any other questions please feel free to ask. Take care and have a good day.

John

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sjn2bjn2 (7 months ago)

I am very new to this and was wondering about your comment `self siphoning' and also what happens to the water that doesn't go into the green holding tank on top. Also is there a critical amount of depth of water in the growing bed and in the fish tank?

Aquaponic (7 months ago)
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First... lets talk about the self syphoning: There is a reduction in pipe diameter from the green reservoir to the grow bed from 2" pipe to 1/2" pipe, this in turn chokes the water and starts the syphoning process.

Second... water that does not go into the green reservoir goes back to the fish tank to for circulating.

Third... depth in the grow bed is determined by how much water goes into the grow bed and how fast it is returned to back to the fish tank.

Thanks and e-mail if any more questions.

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rrm111753 (6 months ago)

Nice video. Would it be possible for you to give us a detailed drawing of the self-siphoning system?

Aquaponic (6 months ago)
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The self-siphoning system works because you are reducing down the diameter of the PVC pipe from 2" to 1/2". By reducing the PVC down in size, water that is overflowing from the 2" starts to back up in the 1/2" pipe because it is smaller. This is what cause the siphone to start. Hope this helps a little.

John

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muffdriver69 (3 months ago)

I still don't understand how this self siphoning system can empty all the water from the reservoir judging by the angle of the PVC interior pipe. Can you post us the siphoning in action please? Thanks.

Aquaponic (2 months ago)
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You have a good question. I don't empty everything out of the reservoir because I have adjusted it so I don't over flow my grow bed. I'll see if I can put together something to make it little easier to understand. Please visit the site for barrel ponics and look at his reservoir system. Take care and have a good day.

John

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evanj21 (6 months ago)

Thanks for the video

Aquaponic (6 months ago)
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You're Welcome.

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damimroy (4 months ago)

How did you get your plumbing to work to do the ebb and flow to drain the reservoir?

Aquaponic (3 months ago)
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The self-siphoning system works because you are reducing the interior diameter of the PVC pipe in the reservoir from 2" to 1/2" pipe on the outside of the reservoir. By reducing the PVC down in size, water that is overflowing from the 2" starts to back up in the 1/2" pipe because it is smaller. This is what cause the siphon to start, which in turn drains the reservoir completing an ebb and flow. Hope this helps a little.

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artnuwa11 (3 months ago)

Hey aquaponic, cool video, but I have a question. If the Fish help the plants, what do the plants do for the fish?

Aquaponic (3 months ago)
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Thanks. The plants are the living filter. That take in the the nutrients returning the water to the fish tank cleaner and more oxygenated. So, to make everything work you need the plants for the fish and the fish for the plants. Take care and have a wonderful day.

John

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artnuwa11 (3 months ago)

HI John, that was my 12 year old asking.... really awesome way to grow! Thanks so much. Have a great holiday.
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Chasling (3 months ago)

Thank you for that great video! I have the same container and will making a system using your video.

Aquaponic (2 months ago)
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Thanks

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829 (2 months ago)

Could you explain how you made 3 cuts? Seems like you would have one piece with a giant hole in it. Do you have any other videos or pictures detailing the cuts?

Aquaponic (2 months ago)
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I made the 2 cuts by using a circular saw. You are right I did end up with a piece that had a giant hole. This was so I could get my hand down into the fish tank. If you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me. Thanks and have a wonderful day.

John

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jessy290801 (2 months ago)

Thank you. It's very helpful.

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lopin95 (1 month ago)

hey john cool video but i have a question. how can i make my own reservoir and how does it work?

Aquaponic (1 month ago)
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Good Question, you can make a reservoir out of many things. I had this around in the garage and it looked good. If you visit the barrel ponics website you can download the manual and travis go's over all of those kinds a questions. If you have any further questions please feel free to e-mail me.

John

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lopin95 (1 month ago)

thnx alot

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CondemnedPatriot (1 month ago)

How do you grow the algae before hand?

Aquaponic (1 month ago)
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All I did was find some algae from a small pond or large pudle. With that I was able to see if it grew or died. It grew, so with that I started to add gravel and fish and plants. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. Take care and have a wonderful day.

John

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twoesme (1 month ago)

what gravel shall i use and do i start the seeds in green house or just sow them in the gravel?

twoesme (1 month ago)

what gravel shall i use and do i start the seeds in green house or just sow them in the gravel?

Aquaponic (1 month ago)
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This system uses pea gravel because it a cheap medium to use. I would start my seed first in a green house or somewhere else and them transplant them into your aquaponics system.

John

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twoesme (1 month ago)

Thanks John (good name by the way)
i,m starting sowing now so should be ready when the frost has gone/cant wait until i start aquaponic planting.and the sound of the water running through my greenhouse will unamaze me UN-A-MAZE is better than AMAZE

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sfx3d2002 (1 month ago)

I have a question do you use electrical pump or what is this self-siphon? How does this self-siphon work? Do you have a plan about the self-siphon or site? Also what the main use of reservoir for? Isn't the plant use 24/7 running water like hydroponic?

Aquaponic (2 weeks ago)
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These are great questions. To start I do not have a plan for siphon, but if you look at some of the other questions on this page I have answered the question on how it works. The pump is running 24/7 what this helps with is aeration of the system and it will supply the reservoir with enough water for the grow bed to receive a cycle for the ebb and flow concept which helps with oxygen to the roots. The self-starting siphon was used so there were no other moving part. Hope this helps.

John

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pinkstrawberrypuding (1 month ago)

fascinating! i want to try but my skills at building puting together are just awful.i would need stupid proof instructions.
Aquaponic (2 weeks ago) Show Hide

Reply
I wish I could help you out there. If there are any particular questions you need help with please don't hesitate to ask.

John