IBC Aquaponics

I finally finished building the aquaponics experiment I wrote about earlier in the year. This week I got it filled with water and have the pump going to cycle the water. All that's needed now is a source of fish so I can stock the thing.

Here's a list of what I needed to build this system, cost and sources.

IBC Container - Craigslist.org - $75. (Delivered)

Two each 2"x4"x10 - Lowe's - $7.

1" PVC pipe and misc fittings - Lowe's - $23.

4x65# bags Sunleaves Rocks Growing Medium (.5-1.5" diameter) - The Urban Garden - $97.50

EcoPlus Submersible Pump ECO1056 and 1" flex tube - The Urban Garden - $82.75

All totaled, I've spent about $280. on my experiment. That's not especially cheap, but not too expensive, either. I'm not sure how much fish will cost me yet but as soon as I find a good source I will update this post or add another.

Aquaponics

I have made my New Year's resolution! I have decided to try my hand at aquaponics. For those of you who don't know what aquaponics is, it is a merging of hydroponic gardening and aquaculture (raising fish). The fish create nitrogenous waste that the plants use as fertilizer and the plants clean the water for the fish. Plants are grown in a growing media and there is no dirt used.

I am getting my inspiration from the IBCofAquaponics website. This website has some very detailed info and you can download a great PDF from their site here or on their website. The PDF shows some options on how various people set up their aquaponics systems. There are so many ways to do this! I am only limited by my imagination...

I have found a guy who is selling IBC containers nearby. He is willing to deliver and he says that the container previously held a food grade glue similar to Elmer's Glue. He wants $75. for each. He also sells 55 gal plastic drums. I may get a few of these as well for use as rain barrels or something.

More to follow....