Aquaponic Gardening

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Hi, seems polite to introduce myself.

My name is Iain Williams and I'm currently operating a rather ad-hoc ebb and flow system in a small greenhouse in the UK. Currently the system consists of a 330 gallon pond (concrete block and pond liner), which is stocked with 21 goldfish for the moment. This feeds 2x 1.2 sq meter, 1 foot deep, expanded clay growbeds, a zig-zag grow-pipe with plants every foot or so and a 1 sq meter growbed. The pump is 400 gallons per hour and operates on a timer set for 20 minutes of operation in every hour, with a 2 hour 'purge' cycle that operates in the early morning. This schedule seems to work well for keeping the water very clean and plant growth has been exceptional. All fish seem healthy and water tests have all been good... so far!

So far, I've been working it out as I go along, as I find I learn new techniques better that way, with the usual help from the internet. I may have some questions in the near future as I'm planning to modify and streamline my system as soon as I harvest the huge number of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, spinach, rocket and lettuce that are currently approaching maturity. Looks like we'll all be on salad for a few weeks! ;-}

The next job is to include the thermal mass for a rocket-mass heater system that I'm building to heat my workshop, rabbit hutches and eventually the greenhouse as well. I've decided to do this to extend the growing season you could otherwise expect in cold, dreary North Wales.

In case anyone is interested in other gardening methods, I've also got 2 hugelkultur beds in my yard, with a third under construction, plus I've 'vertical gardened' just about every surface of the house that faces the sun. Mixed results on those, so far, but I'm still learning. They've produced a useful quantity of peas, beans, spuds and carrots, however, so I mustn't be too far from doing it right.

May post some pictures at some point, if I ever get my camera back from my step-daughter!

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Sounds like you are staying busy.  Good luck with your plans.

Hi Iain

I'm not the only one in North Wales!....Yeay

Whereabouts are you?  I'm in Colwyn Bay and am about 1/4 the way through building my first IBC system, it's slow going as I don't get much time with this horrible weather. 

Daf

I'm in Connah's Quay.With you on the damn weather, mate. I'm gonna start building a bleedin' Ark if this rain keeps up. I would like to build an IBC system, but there's limited space in an ex-British Steel end terrace.



David Williams said:

Hi Iain

I'm not the only one in North Wales!....Yeay

Whereabouts are you?  I'm in Colwyn Bay and am about 1/4 the way through building my first IBC system, it's slow going as I don't get much time with this horrible weather. 

Daf

many new faces finally showing in the aquaponic UK scene! I'm in somerset and I'm building an aquaponic farm, this is a growing trend and we shall soon see more of this methods spreading, let me know how you guys gettin on. All the best

Nice one, I want to build a commercial system up here in Conwy, have nearly got the business plan finished just need some market research data and work out prospective sales, then try for funding. I would like to come and have a look at the farm when you are up and running. 

Dave



bioaquafarm said:

many new faces finally showing in the aquaponic UK scene! I'm in somerset and I'm building an aquaponic farm, this is a growing trend and we shall soon see more of this methods spreading, let me know how you guys gettin on. All the best

no problem Dave, we are going to start sale to farmesrs market and local restaurants in june, in a month we will start building phase II, and soon up and running.

The web site will be launched in the next couple of months and then you will be able to see more about the company concept, you are wellcome any time for a visit (just call us before hand).

to give you an idea the farm will be producing 2 tonnes of various type of fish and and 10000 plants all year round rougly.

10 tanks(8000lt each)

2 polytunnel (5x30m each)

1000 holes NFT system

700 holes areoponic nursery

heated nursery glass house (4000 seedling)

beehive, ducks, wormery, pigs!

all to fiddle in production and incorporate in the integrated farming methods

Sounds good, looking forward to seeing what you are up to...I will have to arrange a few deliveries down your way, I am a self employed courier at the moment ;-) 
I will let you know when I am around

I am curious as to why you have gone down the NFT route as that can have problems with temperature control and lots of clogging. I have been recommended by a seasoned aquaponics/hydroponics grower, with whom I did my training, to go for DWC and grow beds

Dave


bioaquafarm said:

no problem Dave, we are going to start sale to farmesrs market and local restaurants in june, in a month we will start building phase II, and soon up and running.

The web site will be launched in the next couple of months and then you will be able to see more about the company concept, you are wellcome any time for a visit (just call us before hand).

to give you an idea the farm will be producing 2 tonnes of various type of fish and and 10000 plants all year round rougly.

10 tanks(8000lt each)

2 polytunnel (5x30m each)

1000 holes NFT system

700 holes areoponic nursery

heated nursery glass house (4000 seedling)

beehive, ducks, wormery, pigs!

all to fiddle in production and incorporate in the integrated farming methods

Ian....hope the system is going well and that you are ready for the new season. Have you got the rocket mass heater going yet? I take it you have seen the problem Rob at Bigelow Brook Farm has had with the inner lining burning out.

Where are those photos you mentioned, I take it you didn't get the camera back ;-)

I would like to come over and have a nosey at your system if I may.

Dave

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