A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
Retrofit large pond with grow beds
Hello All,
I'm new to the forums and aquaponics in general. We purchased our current house a few years ago and it has a large 100x50' kidney shaped pond in the back yard. The pond is lined with a fountain and now, an aerator. It's kept topped off with water from my well delivered by a sprinkler zone in the summer. I've used products in the past from pond logic (dye and beneficial bacteria) to attempt to clear it up. There are no plants but before the house was purchased, the previous owner added koi and gold fish. Now, there are lots of fish and very dirty water. The pond freezes over in the winter and the fish seem to do fine. I've wanted a garden since we've moved in so I thought why not kill two birds... My question is, has anyone attempted to retrofit a pond such as mine with grow beds? Should I even attempt it with my current set up and use of pond logic products? Will the grow beds be enough to clear up the water? On YouTube there is a video of a large grow bed DIY which I thought may work. Perhaps 2 or 3 of them? I've attached a phone from the house of the pond to give you an idea. Let me know if more are desired. I was thinking of putting the beds behind the pine trees. Am I crazy or would this be possible? Thanks all for your help!
I'm new to the forums and aquaponics in general. We purchased our current house a few years ago and it has a large 100x50' kidney shaped pond in the back yard. The pond is lined with a fountain and now, an aerator. It's kept topped off with water from my well delivered by a sprinkler zone in the summer. I've used products in the past from pond logic (dye and beneficial bacteria) to attempt to clear it up. There are no plants but before the house was purchased, the previous owner added koi and gold fish. Now, there are lots of fish and very dirty water. The pond freezes over in the winter and the fish seem to do fine. I've wanted a garden since we've moved in so I thought why not kill two birds... My question is, has anyone attempted to retrofit a pond such as mine with grow beds? Should I even attempt it with my current set up and use of pond logic products? Will the grow beds be enough to clear up the water? On YouTube there is a video of a large grow bed DIY which I thought may work. Perhaps 2 or 3 of them? I've attached a phone from the house of the pond to give you an idea. Let me know if more are desired. I was thinking of putting the beds behind the pine trees. Am I crazy or would this be possible? Thanks all for your help!
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Permalink Reply by Pieter Swanevelder on
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Hi Dustin
If you're going the aquaponic way with your pond - you'll not speak about a back yard garden any more - more of a production unit with a lot extra to do - marketing, etc.
Maybe do a site plan considering - 1:3 - pond:growbed (300mm deep) - volumetric ratio. On the sizes you can then spec your pumps, greenhouse, etc.
Do a test on your borehole (alkalinity/hardness) as well as pond water.
If you want to clear the water wit a garden you can also consider a wetland - http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Water/HnbkOfWetlandConstructio...
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