New member from North-eastern Minnesota.

[Tim B.]

I am a new member here-obviously.  I'm a hobby farmer who's very interested in growing fodder for my poultry and waterfowl and possibly for cattle in the future.  I'd like to combine this with my love for ornamental goldfish to develop an aquaponics system.  Eventually I'd like to expand into garden vegetables year-round as well.  Possibly some aquatic food sources for my family as well if all goes well.  I think my experience with wet/dry aquariums when they first came around (1991 ish :) ) will serve  me well in this regard.  Thanks for having me!

[Tim B.]

I believe my first full AP system will be a small one in my kitchen to grow herbs in. I know smaller is harder but I don't have room for something big in my house and I have to build an out-building before I can go to the 200 gallon sytem that I plan next.  I'm hoping to do a 20 gallon tank with a narrow gutter-type container with gravel in it behind the light fixture.  I'll have a 80 gph powerhead set to run 15 minutes every hour pumping water into the gravel, then have it drain back into the aquarium. I think I'll put danios or white cloud mountain minnows in there to start out after it cultures.  Any suggestions for a 24" X8"X8" high plastic container that I can plumb for a drain?

[Jeremiah Robinson]

I'll bet you could find a windowsill pot that size.  With a bulkhead or uniseal it'll drain.  

I actually think starting small is a good idea.  You'll have to check it every day and will probably kill some goldfish but you'll learn a lot.

With a 20 gallon tank and small grow bed you'll need a low stocking density.

Jer...

[Tim B.]

Exactly what I was thinking :).  I was scoping out the petshop in Duluth today.  Thanks!