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I am thinking of starting up a small, indoor aquaponics or hydroponics system. I am particularly interested in aquaponics because the aquaponics system is self sustaining. I have done a ton of research on aquaponics and hydroponics and think I am ready to set up my own system at home. Why would I want to start aquaponics or hydroponics? I like knowing where my food comes from and since I really enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, I see this as a chance to begin growing my own small stock of foods. I would primarily be growing tomatos, lettuce and carrots since they seem to be the best options for starting out in hydro/aqua ponics. I would eventually like to move onto cucumber but they require a larger system than what I plan on starting out with. I am kind of concerned about starting up an aquaponics system though because I have never really had luck with fish no matter how much I love them and try to take care of them. I had a betta fish that lasted several years but my goldfish that I purchased from a pet store had what looked like a gill infection didn't make it even though I did daily water changes and everything I could think of. I would like to use either goldfish or guppies or tetras or even try the system with a couple of female bettas and i would purchase a male betta for breeding later on. A positive to an aquaponics system is that they don't require water changes because it is a self sustaining system and therefore I wouldn't need to buy food for the fish unless I decide on a larger species(since the way I would set up my system would allow for the fish to be underneath the plants and they will live off of the system). I would of course buy some food just in case they are unable to figure out where they food actually comes from. I am just unsure of if I should go with hydroponics or aquaponics at this point and how large I should have my startup be and what fish I should go with if I do aquaponics. I am super eager to hear what you all think and any advice you all may have and will post updates if any below. |
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I don't have a clue about those systems cause I know they both require a lot of work and upkeep. I would suggest if you have done a lot of research do even more, everyone I know personally that have tried both systems ended up not doing it after the first year due to all the work and expense needed to grow plants. I know the best starters would actually be lettuces. I would not try tomatoes till you get a bit more experience by doing the lettuces first. But that is up to you. I do know that when you first start with the fish they will need to be fed till the proper micro organisms and such build and establish to support the fish. |
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I would cycle my tanks for a good two weeks before adding any fish to it so that microorganisms could build. Someone in one of my classes was big into hydroponics because that was where the majority of her family's food came from and she said it worked well from the get go. Did the people you know use any clay beads - ive heard them be called other things as well - they give the plants the nutrients they need to grow. I would be starting super small with two or three plants only and growing them as seedlings in a papertowl... I ave actually grown an avocado tree through hydroponics when I was in fourth grade by sticking toothpicks in an avocado seed that I split halfway down the middle and put in a cup of water for about two weeks. I actually think the reason that plant died was because when I transferred it into a pot, the pot was way too big and so it grew about two feet tall before dying. So I don't know... I would definitley be doing lettuces and I may actually start with herbs such as cilantro/corriander. I definitley agree that it can cost a lot when starting up but I also believe it is about how you approach it. Since the way i would be doing it if I decided to start an aquaponics or hydroponics garden would be to use a pvc pipe that I put holes in for the plants to be placed with the clay balls. Then I would wire an air compressor to a water pump or hose and put that on a timer for every 15 minutes or so (its a lot more complex than that). Hydroponics is a bit more expensive whereas with the aquaponics I would do it so that the fish in the tank would have a lid right over top of it with the plants sitting in "cups" with the clay balls that would allow the roots to touch the water. The plants fish would be fed a nutrient rich diet and would poop and their waste would be used by the plants and I would do once a week 50% water changes or changes as needed until the system becomes self sufficient. I am still not sure though. I have been looking at aeroponics as well. I like being able to watch and observe how plants grow since I find it super fascinating and we are not allowed to grow anything in our backyard because of our housing associations rules. Honeslty they restrict us on so much that we even have to let them know when family visits even if they stay in a hotel(even before covid). Its really dumb but anyways... |
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Okay so my mother has a small aquaponics system, I found using hardy 'outdoor' fish worked the best. I believe we did mosquito eaters and some sort of Tilapia fish. They worked quite well for us. Just my two cents of experience. |
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Moonlight Stud said:
Okay so my mother has a small aquaponics system, I found using hardy 'outdoor' fish worked the best. I believe we did mosquito eaters and some sort of Tilapia fish. They worked quite well for us. Just my two cents of experience.
Ooo thank you!! I would try tilapia but the only issue with that is they require large tanks. Do you eat your fish? I would have a smaller system or several smaller systems since I could only have mine indoor. |
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There was a youtube video I saw once where someone had a hydroponic system, but had the pipes set up so he could seperate the fish section from the plant section and run each sysetm independently if need be. Hydroponics might be a bit easier, since you don't have to maintain the fish (or other aquatic livestock), but I can see the appeal of aquaponics. I've only researched them, I have not tried them in practice. I agree the initial costs can be high to get the initial infrastructure (the physical system) set up. Personally, I would avoid using pet fish, since I tend to be cautious about introducing unwanted potential germs or diseases to our food supply. |
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Breeder by Eye said:
There was a youtube video I saw once where someone had a hydroponic system, but had the pipes set up so he could seperate the fish section from the plant section and run each sysetm independently if need be. Hydroponics might be a bit easier, since you don't have to maintain the fish (or other aquatic livestock), but I can see the appeal of aquaponics. I've only researched them, I have not tried them in practice. I agree the initial costs can be high to get the initial infrastructure (the physical system) set up. Personally, I would avoid using pet fish, since I tend to be cautious about introducing unwanted potential germs or diseases to our food supply.
Thank you for the tip! Since I will be going off to university at the end of the academic year, I found it unreasonable to start up a whole fish/plant system and just get it started (it takes about a year of set up) so I have not yet started the system. I am still not against the idea and plan on doing it, I just want to get settled for a bit first so that I am not moving large systems and plants :) |
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