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Comment by DJ Wambach on February 5, 2014 at 11:02pm

John,

Jeff talked about Bright Agrotech and the info they put out is very good. You may check out this info they just posted about Solids Removal.

http://verticalfoodblog.com/solids-removal-in-aquaponics/?utm_sourc...

Comment by Jeff S on February 5, 2014 at 8:29pm

John, Sounds like you have a lot of enthusiasm and you are right to do some research first .I've been doing this for about 8 months now. I have an IBC tank with the top cut off and flipped over for the grow bed. The bottom of my fish tank stays clean and everything I've seen says the grow bed is the best non-maintenance filter. I would advise you to just do the grow bed for now and if you feel the need later add another filter (or grow bed). Not sure what type of system you'll use but I like the bell syphon in the grow bed. Real easy to build and almost fool proof. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXaruS5z_Xc 

Comment by John Saunders on February 5, 2014 at 7:07pm

Yeah, I was wondering why the guy was having to flush the solids out of the medium. Number one, if the water going into the grow bed is free of solids (guess one cannot expect it to be completely free), why would there be any build-up in the grow medium? Then there is the bacteria factor. Wouldn't there be enough aerobic bacteria to break down any tiny amount of solids that get into the grow bed?

In any case, I still think it best to eliminate as much of the fish tank solids as possible before introducing that water to the plants. And from what I have seen so far, a swirl or vortex filter looks like an easy-to-make, inexpensive and effective first filtering system. I've also seen a sand filter used but that one required the use of another aquarium pump. Still thinking about that one. Seems to me if the flow of the water were to go from the fish tank, into a vortex filter, into a settling tank which also has duckweed growing in it then into the grow beds then back to the fish tank, the problem of solids ending up at the bottom of the grow medium should be greatly reduced, if not eliminated altogether. Will need to research that one a bit more.

Thanks for the get-back, Jeff. You've stimulated some thinking. Oh, and I learned from another You Tube video that 1) common duckweed is called limna minor (not sure about the spelling), 2) string algae, which often accompanies and has been know to overwhelm/out-compete duckweed, is the favorite food of tilapia (duckweed comes in at a close #2) and 3) there is a mosquito-eating fish called gamboosia (again, spelling) which is apparently provided free by local government as a mosquito control agent. Good stuff out there. Talk to you later Jeff.

Comment by Jeff S on February 5, 2014 at 4:29pm

John, I think I saw the same video of the guy flushing his grow bed. I'm no expert but that shouldn't be necessary and you should never change your media. The media builds up a bacteria over several weeks that breaks down the ammonia in your water and turns it into nitrates for your plants. From what I hear and have experienced the media is the best filter you can have and requires no maintenance. I haven't reached this point yet but I've seen video on adding red worms to the media to eat any solids that occur. If you're interested in vegetable growing check out videos at Bright Agrotech. I find their videos very helpful and trustworthy.

Comment by John Saunders on February 5, 2014 at 3:53pm

To DJ: Thanks for your comment. Sorry, I have you to thank for the online course tip. That might end up being an invaluable resource and you're right about shortening the learning curve. Best to be able to get up and running in a few months rather than many months. And, as Jeff Sullivan said, it is also important to keep the K.I.S.S. principle in mind. Thank you to you both for your helpful advice.

Comment by John Saunders on February 5, 2014 at 3:49pm

To Jeff Sullivan: Thank you Jeff. I will look into the online course. I saw a You Tube video that described a method using forced air along with a garden hose to dislodge solids built up on the bottom of this person's IBC grow bed. I want to avoid this solids build-up if possible. Seems logical to precipitate the solids out of the fish tank outflow before the water enters the grow bed. Don't know if the vortex filter method takes ALL of the dissolved solids out of the fish tank outflow but the video I saw made it look like a viable system. Also don't want to have to periodically change a filter medium if I can avoid that part of the maintenance, you see. Thanks again for your input.

Comment by DJ Wambach on February 5, 2014 at 9:35am

John, I have spent about 9 months learning about this by watching youtube reading a book by Sylvia Bernstein "Aquaponic Gardening and took the online class she put together. I am now slowly building my outdoor system. If you would like to shorten the learning curve I would highly recommend the book and the online class. You can get then both in a package deal at the site I posted below.

 http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Aquaponics-Course-Online-s/147.htm

Comment by Jeff S on February 5, 2014 at 8:02am

John, Follow Leo's advice. Use the K.I.S.S. method. It's a relaxing hobby with all kinds of creative options. As for solids, just run your water through a Grow Bed (just rocks with plants) and the solids take care of themselves. I recommend a cheap easy to get fish to start so if there is a problem you can just replace them. Goldfish are hardy and take a lot of abuse. I always use them to sample new projects before I put my Tilapia in. There's enough video info on You Tube to get you going.

Comment by John Saunders on February 5, 2014 at 4:38am

How have you dealt with dissolved solids in your fish tank water? Does anyone use a vortex filter? Are there species of fish that will clean the water of dissolved solids and that are compatible with the edible fish?

Comment by John Saunders on February 4, 2014 at 8:45pm

Thanks Leo. I look forward to lots of communication and information. As for the habit, seems like a good one to have, at least for now. I intend to get into this slowly and with as much foreknowledge as reasonably possible, so I thank you for your assistance.

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