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Plan "B" As in Basement

If I am going to put my 1st aquaponics system in the basement so we can start learning over the winter, I am going to have build it out of 2x4 lumber, osb, and some type of liner. Reason: the door leading downstairs to the basement is only 29 inches wide, which rules out using IBC tote system. Thought is 48"x24"x60" fish tank. 24"x24"X60" sump tank, on top of which would be mounted 12"x24"x60" grow bed. Above the grow bed would be florescent grow lights (and I think I'll have the sheriff come by to show him we're not growing something illicit. :-) Thoughts, cautions?

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Comment by Bob Grinder on September 12, 2011 at 9:18pm: Bill, the 29" Max width to work with to bring back out of basement? I am thinking of doing same thing only do not plan on bringing tank out of basement. Instead after winter when time to start grow beds outside, I'll just pump the tank up into the beds outside. just need strong enough pump to take it 16' up from tank, So in that case size does not matter cause I have no intention of moving it.

Comment by TCLynx on September 12, 2011 at 8:39am: Does 29 inches leave enough volume for the fish to grow bed ratio? UH, are you only allowed to bring one thing in or could you bring several containers in.

Comment by Bill Moore on September 11, 2011 at 8:46pm: The maximum width I can work with is less than 29 inches... the width of the door trim-to-trim. Does that leave enough volume for the fish-to-grow bed ratio?

Comment by Earl ward on September 11, 2011 at 7:56pm: I cut the Ibc outdoors took it apart brought the parts into the basment.

Comment by TCLynx on September 11, 2011 at 8:07am: Yes, Tractor supply usually has good prices on Rubbermaid stock tanks. A 300 gallon might be challenging to get through the house and down the stairs but 100 gallon tanks and 50 gallon tanks would be easy enough.

Comment by Bill Moore on September 11, 2011 at 7:41am: Was in China twice: 1999 and in 2002. Would love to go back, of course, but hate the long flights. Lots of Electric Vehicle progress taking place there though. That being said, that 'progress' has come at enormous expense to their environment. The air pollution in Beijing was horrible.

RW... Like the idea of the rubbermaid stock tanks. Farm Supply good place to look?

bill

Comment by RW on September 11, 2011 at 7:31am: Rubbermaid stock tanks are 25" wide and go up to 300 gallons. Might be an easier option than building.

Comment by Carey Ma on September 11, 2011 at 7:21am: Yes, the standard of life has improved tremendously since the doors were opened some thirty years ago. When were you here? Any chance of coming back?

Comment by Bill Moore on September 11, 2011 at 7:12am: BTW.. I once visited a remote valley north of Beijing with an EV World reader who'd invited me to China. We here there to climb a section of the Great Wall called the Ox Horn. Didn't see any hemp growing, but lots of corn and nearly every farm house had a solar hot water heater on the roof. That really impressed me.

Comment by Bill Moore on September 11, 2011 at 7:09am: Good point on ventilation. I'll have to figure out how to effectivelu address that. There's a window above the area I want to put the set up. As for the Sheriff... we live in a small town and have a good relationship with their office. May do it in the context of inviting several city officials and getting some local press coverage. I prefer to be above board and suspicion then wait for a knock on the door from an officer with a warrant in hand wondering why electric bill is so high.