Comment

Comment by Jeff S on January 17, 2014 at 2:02pm

Put a pump in your tank and a bed of grow media ( rocks, lava rock,etc.) above your tank and let it drain back into the tank.  Put a few plants in it and wait. In 4-6 weeks turn off your old tank filter and you should be good to start. That's the simple way. You can learn and expand while you're waiting for your grow bed to cycle. Just search YouTube under Aquaponics and you'll get all the instruction you need. I particularly like the videos from Bright Agrotech. Don't get caught up in all the BIG ideas you might hear. Big isn't necessarily better. Small is fun.

Comment by LogicalHydro on January 17, 2014 at 1:33pm

Welcome Austin. Of course you can convert it. What are you looking to grow?

Comment by austin gould on January 17, 2014 at 1:22pm

Hi All

I am completely brand new to ap so any helpful tips in getting started would be much appreciated. I have a well established fresh water tropical 180 ltr tank and was wondering if it could be converted ? 

Comment by TCLynx on January 9, 2014 at 4:36pm

How much is enough?  That really depends on your situation and goals.

Keep in mind that the smaller the system the less stable it will be as far as temperature, water chemistry and even water level goes.

A small aquarium size system is fine indoors but then you need to provide lighting for the plants.

Outdoor system size will depend on climate, location, heating, fish choice and goals for the system.

Comment by Bob Campbell on January 4, 2014 at 2:55pm

I agree with Jeff.  My tilapia which I have not been able to unload cost me too much money.  Heating a tank is expensive.  I like Koi and catfish but goldfish are good too.

Comment by Jeff S on January 4, 2014 at 2:43pm

When you decide to go with fish just use goldfish. They're cheap and durable. Once you're comfortable then move to another fish.

Comment by Layne allen on January 4, 2014 at 1:21pm

Fishless cycling it is. Thank you for all the info. I'll have more questions as I proceed. :D

Comment by Leo White Bear on January 4, 2014 at 4:19am

Layne-

IMHO- the weed tea or ammonia is the better way to start the nitrogen cycle because, some of us have medical difficulties and take various medications which can be introduced into the system if the "urine" is tainted with these chemicals.  The body does NOT break down these chemicals and some are changed into other undesirables that should not be introduced into aquaponics.  Penicilln is not broken down in the human system hence it can be introduced and not allow the cycling to begin.  Best not to use urine unless you are healthy and stress free.  Most of us are not.

Comment by Layne allen on January 3, 2014 at 10:02pm

Thanks Bob, I am not squeamish :) the idea of a closed loop system is fascinating and I want to do it right the first time out.

Comment by Bob Campbell on January 3, 2014 at 8:48pm

Layne I have run a Boiponic system on decayed weeds which I sunk in a bucket of water for a couple months.  This produced a lot of nitrogen and other nutrients for the system.  I now use urine because it's easier, but I wonder which is more appealing - vegetables fertilized with urine or putrid weed tea?  You really don't need fish poo at all. If fish poo turns you off you can just throw the food in the water -  this is where all the nutrients come from.

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