Goola's Systems

goola

Howdy folks! Since the other threads were so helpful to me, I'm going to try and keep track of things now that I have my mid-sized system up and running. I'll post info on both systems here:

1. 39 gallon indoor spice garden

This was my initiation into aquaponics. I built everything mainly with what I had lying around the house.

Tech Specs:

1 - 39 gallon aquarium with goldfish
1 - Rio 800 pump, 7 minutes on every 4 hours
3 - 12 quart Target tubs with hydroton media

Currently growing oregano, parsley, and basil. Hoping to add more beds if the wife will let me.

2. Experimental 150 gallon outdoor tilapia system

150 gallon stock tank, set in a plywood box insulated with foam and a wee bit of fiberglass around the tank. The idea is to keep Tilapia year round, but it's all dependent on if the state of Oregon will give me a license or not. Plan B is rainbow trout. It was originally going to be a CHIFT PIST system, but my wife informed me that she wants to expand the house... right where I wanted the garden... so added a couple pallets and ditched the sump for now.

Tech Specs:

1 - 150 gallon stock tank
1 - Rio 3100 pump on timer, 15 min. on, 45 min. off, 7am-7pm
4 - 40 gallon stock tanks, 3/4 full with red scoria, top 1/4 with hydroton
1 - Rio 600 pump running through a box filter to jump start the cycle and later for a NFT addition
1 - 800w heater that will hopefully keep things in the 80s during the winter
1 - Light to go on timer, but haven't figured out how to weather proof that yet

Seeds were planted yesterday with a few basil cuttings from inside so we'll see how it goes. I have 10 goldfish to get things started while I wait for my license. As always, appreciate any input from the experts.

TEA20

lookin good. your inside one.... has that got different coloured lights :colors:

AlexP

looks good

goola

TEA20 wrote:

lookin good. your inside one.... has that got different coloured lights :colors:

Thanks. The LED lights flicker between red, blue, and green. I'm not using the lights right now, but come winter time I'll use them again. I need to cut some holes in them as they made things a bit too damp.

goola

Mental Note: When it rains on the growbeds, the fish tank level rises. When I rains really hard, it fills up really fast!

PVC greenhouse project here I come!

goola

7 Days Later.......

Bad News: Basil Cuttings not looking so good. Is the moon mojo different for cuttings vs seeds?

Good News: Seeds are sprouting!

----------------------------

More equipment photos:

DIY Box Filter

Inside Fish Tank - Pumps, heaters, and cords I really need to organize.

healingdeva

Howdy neighbor. We're in Vancouver, WA and it's always fun to see someone "close" by.

A couple of thoughts on the basil.

1. How high does the water in the grow beds get? I notice the hydroton appears wet with that basil. You'll want the surface to stay dry (except for rain) to avoid mold, etc growing on top of the hydroton.
2. The basil may just be unhappy due to air temperatures. Basil is a heat loving plant and the temps in most of the area haven't been warm enough for basil to really grow yet.

goola

healingdeva wrote:

Howdy neighbor. We're in Vancouver, WA and it's always fun to see someone "close" by.

A couple of thoughts on the basil.

1. How high does the water in the grow beds get? I notice the hydroton appears wet with that basil. You'll want the surface to stay dry (except for rain) to avoid mold, etc growing on top of the hydroton.
2. The basil may just be unhappy due to air temperatures. Basil is a heat loving plant and the temps in most of the area haven't been warm enough for basil to really grow yet.

Woo hoo! Someone else in my area! Now we can totally compare notes in terms of our weather.

I admit I was pretty hard on the basil. I cut them from my indoor garden and just put them straight into the growbed outside. I'm pretty sure you're right that the 30 degree temp difference is what knocked them out, but the ones that I just uprooted are doing ok. I have my stand pipe about 1-2 inches below the top. The hydroton looks wet in that picture because I snapped the shot as it was filling, but I do need to minimize the splashing a bit.

What kind of fish do you have? I'm still waiting on Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to approve/disapprove of tilapia hence the goldfish.

Sleepe

I'd put a 90 degree bend on the inlet into the gb, besides the splashing you'll also get algae.

goola

Sleepe wrote:

I'd put a 90 degree bend on the inlet into the gb, besides the splashing you'll also get algae.

Thanks for the tip Sleepe. I was thinking about putting a filter bag on it, but a 90 works too.

goola

After a month of waiting for Oregon F&W to grant me a license, I finally called them to get a status update. I've been informed that they will be sending out an biologist to inspect my facility. Seriously... For 150 gallons of tilapia or trout! We're talking 50-100 fish a year here. I had zero interest in selling fish or anything but considering the massive amount of hoops, I'm thinking I'm gonna scale this puppy up if I'm approved. Wish me luck!

Chappo

I'm so busy laughing I'm not sure what to say

goola I'm laughing with you not at you. Always think positive ..... if the biologist is sexy please post pics,,,ROFLMAO, BIOLOGIST ,, way better than a mere secretary or school teacher ,,LOL.
If the fish tank sits on state bounderies ,, you could be in trouble for CONTINUALLY importing / exporting goods without permission or tax and a recirculating basis.
I beg you to keep us updated.

goola

2 week update:

Gave up on the tomato seeds and bought a couple. My seed sprouting kung fu is weak. Bok Choi is coming along ok.

Lettuce and Broccoli going well. Beans and Peppers... again, my germi fu is weak.

Fish tank. Wow, look at all the fish. Yup, still sporting goldfish because the state hasn't sent out a biologist to inspect my facility yet. :roll:

Added a lemon and clementine tree to the indoor system. Attempted a setup using a water bridge that just didn't work well. Redesigning and will post pics of version 2.0.

Outbackozzie

Dont stress about the germination thing. You need more fish thats all. Once the system is mature just put a seed nearby and it'l sprout :cheers:

goola

Update: Finally spoke with the state biologist today and after explaining aquaponics to him he's "gonna get back to me". The good news is I planted a bug in his ear that we need an aquaponics clause to allow private citizens to raise their own fish. The battle continues...

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Goola's Systems

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Goola's Systems

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Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics