Attractive aquaponoic

[Debralynn]

I am in plann

Uing stage on a system. I have experience (12 + years) with koi and garden ponds. So attractive landscaping is high on my list. I have been looking for inexpensive ways to deecorate ibc grow beds. The frame supports on these container would make weaving supports. I can see how a basket like pattern using rope or bambo could be weaved into the supports of the ibc. Has anyone tried this. Deb

[Paul Smith]

Hi Debralynn,

I don't see why you can't use a pond for your fish?  I too am planning to make a system and social pressure from family dictates that it be attractive as well as useful.

Some time ago we moved into a home with a 900 gallon koi pond in the back yard.  Right now we have about 25 goldfish and a couple of small koi we purchased from Petco.  We have an existing too small bio filter and aeration fountain in the pond.  I have to deal with algae because of the sunlight on the pond and can't cover the pond because the grandkids want to see the fish.  One advantage of the goldfish is, they are algae eaters, so I don't have to feed them much. I am building a larger bio/solids filter that will allow me to maybe get rid of some of the algae floating in the pond, (Good Luck!!)

I plan to build a vertical garden similar to a tall exaggerated strawberry tower right over/in the pond; using volcanic rock as a medium.  In summer, I will plant a mixture of vegetables, flowers and berries.  I don't know exactly what I will do in winter as each winter here in Western Washington is different.

Maybe we can collaborate.

Paul.