Aquaponics Addiction
Don’t trust anyone who tells you that aquaponics isn’t addictive. It is. It’s like a drug habit where you just have to keep getting more and more to be satisfied. If you don’t believe me, prowl around on the Australian forums and see what is happening to them out there. Systems start with 100 gallons and one bed, then become 300 gallons and 4 beds. Pretty soon you are floating bass and barramundi in the community pool.
Case in point. take a look at this wonderful blog called Pool 2 Pond – http://pool-to-pond.blogspot.com/. This guy has taken this horrible, old concrete pool and created a backyard aquaponics utopia. I start salivating every time I see these photos. Don’t you?
My personal experience has been a sad tale of expansion as well. Started with a 70 gallon pond liner from Home Depot. When that sprung a leak (I didn’t puncture it, I swear) I replaced it with a 120 gallon version – the fish were getting bigger and needed more room, right? Now I’m up to 120 tilapia and assorted goldfish in 3 tanks – 2 200 gallon and 1 300 gallon. Sad, but true. Save yourself while you still can.
Aquaponic Gardening Blog 
Ok, I’m glad I’m not the only one who finds it addicting…
I am now increasingly grateful that I’m growing in an apartment with a very limited growing space! Can’t upgrade if there’s no room! (I’m already daydreaming about buying a house and building a pond… In Arizona.)
I have been fascinated with aquaponics for years. Last year we turned a sunroom into a greenhouse and this year we are adding a fish tank. Your blog is very informative and I will be scouring it over the next few weeks!
Yes, very much so. I have been fooling around with hydroponics for over a year now, and the projects keep on pouring out. I’m about almost completed by backyard outdoor hydroponic greenhouse (which has taken me about 5 months – mostly due to funds/supplies). It all started with a little simple DWC hydroponic lettuce air bubbler I made for like 20$.
My next venture is aquaponics. I live in florida, so it gets pretty darn hot. So Im going to try it out in fall (but knowing me… probably sooner)
I love it! Yes, this is what happens. My advice is to start in aquaponics small, but realize that 300 gallon tanks are in your future. A few resources for you to check out – http://www.aquaponicscommunity.com and http://www.theaquaponicsource.com. Good luck, Twunky!
I wasnt finished and clicked the wrong button..oops.
Anyways, my greenhouse system I built should be expandable for aquaponics as well. Just a few modifications (fish tank). Here is a link to some pics of my project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24518653@N08/
My wife and I are starting a blog to track our projects and help educate others. I’m hopefully I can find some time to take this on soon. Im a professional web developer, so nothing its nothing hard… just not enough time in the day..lol…
Have a good one… Be back soon Im sure 😉