My vision is very blurr right now...

[Kou]

I have 1.5 acres of land as my backyard. I wanted turn all of this into aquaponic, how would I do that?  I planned to have green houses.  I know I must first master aquaponic, but can this be done via learning from forums and websites, or should I take the initiative to take a course with experts like Green Powers.  I lived in the Metro Detroit area, and see a huge potential here.

 

And if this works, I do plan to extend onto my an additional 60 acres of spare lands.

[David Waite]

Kou if you are going commercial you should definitely spend some money on education. Growing power or Green acre organics are close to you. Take them both and learn all you can. It will save you thousands  and hundreds of hours. You can learn from these forums but the time lost for commercial is a no brainer. If you cant spend a few thousand on training then you really shouldnt do it IMO. Back yard hobby is another story. Murray has a good video that will get you running and you can learn the rest. Good luck.

[Terri Mikkola]

Kou, I'm originally from Michigan and would love to see commercial AP "sprouting" up there! David has offered very good advice

[TCLynx]

There is also that great download "the IBC of Aquaponics" so if you are going Backyard scale to start that would be a great read and it's free!!!

 

I know of people who have gone huge and only done it from what they learned from online but they took years to go from a little bathtub sort of system up to commercial scale.  If you want to suddenly fill 1.5 acres full of aquaponics, you should probably take an education course as it will be a big investment one way or the other.  Growing Power is in Milwaukee, Nelson and Pade are also in Wisconsin, Green Acres is down here in Florida and will be hosting the Friendlies mainland training again this fall right after the Aquaponics Conference and also down here in Florida we have Morningstar fishermen.  And then of course there is the original, the University of the Virgin Islands course of study.

[Ellen Roelofs]

Yes you should go to the conference and take notes for me!  hee hee

 

I'm in Grand Rapids.  Not close enough to be really useful but close enough to share your climate woes!

[Kou]

Ellen,

 

I dont mind the three hour drive. Do you have an aquaponic system set up yet?  I would love to come by and take a tour.

 

All, thanks for the tip.  I was thinking about taking Growing Power's commercial course, but not until I understand the basic of aquaponic.

[Rob C.]

David gives great advice on this.  I just finished my hobby system, and I can say that the start up time and money were longer and higher, respectively, than I had originally planned on.  For 1.5 acres, you can bet that overages on time and money will be much higher than my little 8' by 6' greenhouse.  

 

Money spent on education is money saved from trial and error.

[Ellen Roelofs]

I am just now piecing together my first IBC system, but there is another guy out here who's got a bigger system up and running - David Owens. http://aquaponicscommunity.com/profile/DavidOwens

 

I haven't been out to see his system yet.  If you end up paying him a visit, I'd love to come out and meet you both.

[Kou]

Ellen,

 

Will do, when I understand how all of this stuff works and built my first green house, then I'll invite you over for a beer or two.

 

 

[Two Jay]

Sounds like a party forming in Western Michigan.... when?

[Ellen Roelofs]

Is that an offer to host? :p

[Two Jay]

Sure, if you can stand being hounded by 8 kids and a few chickens or turkeys.  ( :

[TCLynx]

You will want to time the gathering for one of the project days Two Jay, Get lots of hands to help with gravel washing or stretching plastic over the greenhouse or something.

 

A Gathering/workshop can help get things done along with giving people a chance for some hands on while also meeting people and having fun.