Alex Aquaponic, Hydroponic, and Outdoor Grows.

Hello everyone,

I am glad to be here in a community of knowledgeable growers, sharing what has worked and failed for me. I would like to use this topic to discuss my grows, and get feedback to improve.

I started playing with aquaponics about 10 years ago by building a 3 IBC tote system and some 55 gallon barrel systems. I followed Rob Bob’s Aquaponics channel and modeled my systems of the ones i watched him build.

the systems have been great producers of strawberry, tomato, leafy greens etc. I have them stocked with a variety of fish (some channel cats, bluegill, and some goldfish)

this year, planted a few clones taken from my indoor, and put them in the system (although they didnt get planted till quite late in the growing season) though the plants are not massive they are nearing the end of flowering and have quite nice buds.

am looking forward to growing in these guys for a full outdoor aquaponics powered grow for next year.

here are a couple short vids on TikTok showing the systems

IBC tank system

barrel system

as well as a couple pics

ibc
ibc2091×1208 399 KB


catfish
catfish1512×2016 229 KB


deck2
deck21512×2016 636 KB


deck
deck1512×2016 674 KB



in addition to the aquaponics, have a dedicated 10 x 10 ish area in my shed where will be growing hydroponically in a RDWC system based on totes and a sump. here are a couple pics from that setup and last little harvest from my indoor 3x2 tent.



shed
shed1512×2016 320 KB


thick
thick1512×2016 354 KB


setup
setup1512×2016 467 KB


indoor2
indoor21512×2016 685 KB


indoor
 
So this is my indoor grow area in a 10x20 shed, half is partitioned into grow area and lined in insulation board. And I only grow on one side of the shed, so realistically it’s a 10 ft x 3 ft grow.
:sunglasses:


It’s a recirculating DWC system consisting of 4 totes and an additional tote as a sump.

Each tote has a standpipe connected to a common drain to sump. The standpipes ensure a consistent water level in each tote. Which provides consistent water level, plenty of air to roots, and roots being less likely to block pipes. Pump in the sump delivers water to each tote at a rate of about 50 GPH thru irrigation piping, which then overflows back to the sump via standpipe and gravity.

Have two lights both full spectrum LED’s. One 400w and the other 200w.

Box fan in the roof corner for air circ. Fresh air is pulled in from outside, where I happen to have my rabbit hutches attached to the shed. (Little furry CO2 providers)

Airstones in each tote, sump, water reservoir, etc

Running a room air conditioner and dehumidifier vented outside to keep temps at a reasonable level.

A/C and dehumidifier both drain to 55 gallon drum in the corner. I use a mixture of my well water (which is very high PH) and the condensate water (which is very low PH) to maintain PH.

Total system water is about 60 gallons. Like to keep nutrient Ppm’s around 600 during veg, 800 ish during flower. General hydro trio with a bit of cal mag and tiny amount of silica.

Using inside tent to dry / grow out cuttings for friends / transplant to outdoor grow (aquaponics, 5 gal buckets etc)

It’s really almost identical to my outdoor aquaponic setup, except with a standing water level versus using an auto siphon system.

Also have a couple Gnomes keepin an eye on things.
:grin:


IMG_7851

Roots in the bubble bath.

Standpipe

IMG_7849
1792127912052.png
 
I love your DIY hydro setups. I can tell were def cut from the same cloth when it comes to DIY RDWC, etc. You must be replenishing a few gallons+ a day just on condensate from ac & dehu alone.
 
I love your DIY hydro setups. I can tell were def cut from the same cloth when it comes to DIY RDWC, etc. You must be replenishing a few gallons+ a day just on condensate from ac & dehu alone.

I rarely need to run the Dehumidifier, (if we have rain, and it's hot out, I will need to turn it on for a few days) But depending on the stage of the grow, the system will run thru anything from 1-2 gallons a day to 8-10 in early flower stretch. I travel a good bit, so I needed a system that could handle being alone for a week or two, with about 60 gallons total capacity this def does that.

I have been toying with the idea of just attaching a float valve in the reservoir sump that's connected to my 55 gallon barrel that i store my AC and Dehu water in... so that it just autofills to a set capacity... :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
4,365
Messages
295,744
Members
2,419
Latest member
charlieG
Back
Top Bottom