A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Looking to grow in Ga.

I'm looking at getting my feet wet with aquaponics, have started gathering water tanks,(12' dia x 54", open top), looking at several options for grow beds, already have greenhouse frames,( 1-30' x 96', 1- 44' x 144'), and abundance of spring water. I want to learn the art of aquaponics before diving into commerical production. I was in live production agriculture, and understand mechanical/ electrical sytems and want to incorporate this into my operation. I plan to be heavier in vegetable production, than fish. I was headed in the direction of hydroponic tomato production but discovered aquaponics. Please point me in a direction for gaining knowledge and direction. I'm pretty handy with my hands and very resourcefull. Any and all comments will be appreciated and considered. Thank you in advance, btw, I've been silently watching and listening and feel you guys have a real insight into the future of agriculture.

Scoot

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Comment by TCLynx on March 9, 2011 at 9:22am: I think if I were to get a few people asking me to build these for them, I would get fitted liners made and some steel banding tools.

Comment by Daniel E Murphy on March 9, 2011 at 9:22am: Well what I learned from it was the circular design allow you to swril the water which forces waste to the middle where it can be sucked up by the drain. So you don't get gunk at the bottom. Me likey.

Comment by TCLynx on March 9, 2011 at 9:22am: I have a layer of 1/4" blueboard between the tarp and the liner. Not really reinforcement but some added protection for the liner I guess.

Didn't get any pictures of that part of construction though.

And I don't know how well the blog posts tells about banding or tieing the fencing panels together into a circle.

Comment by Daniel E Murphy on March 9, 2011 at 9:20am: I thought you had that reinforced with dupont bluboard?

Comment by TCLynx on March 9, 2011 at 8:03am: Ok not too detailed but it will probably give the idea

http://www.aquaponiclynx.com/new-fish-tank

Comment by Daniel E Murphy on March 9, 2011 at 7:14am: Aleece, have you posted on how to build your 700 gallon tank? I really think its great.

Comment by Scott Eidson on March 6, 2011 at 9:21pm: Thanks TC,

I've got a prior commitment during this time, I have ordered the Friendlys 512sf. info. The 12' tank is mine for the hauling, The greenhouses are already mine, just not up. Lettuce, cukes, peppers, and tomatoes are what I'm interested in. I'm close to Atlanta, no shortage in consumers. May not start with the big tank as I have some smaller also. I have a pond that we raise catfish in already, may try and use catfish fingerlings, or have thought about the possibility of rasing Shiners for baitfish, but thought they might be problematic as they are really prolific. Trying to develop particulars.Experience is the best teacher, sometimes its better for someone else to have the experience. No sense in re-inventing the wheel, again and again. Thanks for your input, this is a great group.

scoot

Comment by TCLynx on March 6, 2011 at 7:30pm: Well, there is a training comming up later this month in Florida which might be a good place to start. Of course it is a Friendlies course so that means raft culture but it also means the possibility of following their methods and getting organic certification.

Keep in mind that you don't need a huge amount of fish tank to provide nutrients for a rather large amount of veggies if you go with media based growing. For tomato production I might recommend media beds. My 700 gallon fish tank with 70 catfish provides plenty of nutrients for a huge amount of plant beds.