Aquaponic System

My aquaponic system set up in a small bedroom underneath a windowsill.

The system consists of:

-A bench made from a water bed frame, milk crates and paint buckets. Surprisingly able to support the mass of 2 adults

-45 gallon Rubbermaid tote filled to about 12" in depth with water. Framed for support

-Two 10 gallon Sterilite totes plumbed out with 1/2" PVC and filled with Hydroton, expanded clay pellets, to a depth of 12". These are the grow beds.

-Bell siphon in each grow bed. Made from 1/2" and 1-1/4" PVC piping as well as a 4" PVC fence post. This allows the grow beds to fill and drain constantly. More on these later.

-184 gallon per hour submersible pump. Plumbed to 1/2" PVC . Flow regulated with 1/2" ball valves. 

-Air Stone for fish.

-30-60 gallon submersible water heater.

-20 Comet Goldfish

-API Freshwater Master Test Kit for water quality. This is to test the pH levels as well as Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. I record results on a chart daily.

-Omega One Veggie Flakes fish food.

The system has been cycling for about 11 days. This means that as the fish excrete waste into the water, beneficial bacteria convert the ammonia rich water into nitrites and nitrates. Nitrate is a primary food source for plants. This process takes about 30 days to stabilize.

I will plant around day 30, give or take a few days. I plan to plant carrots, green onions, cilantro, catnip and possibly a jalapeno. More will follow on the seeds I choose.

Look for more as the days go on.