[D"artagnan]

Aquaponics
im thinking of starting one on a huge commercial level
in my area there are lots of empty buildings that would
work for a large scale operation
any ideas or opinions or investors would be helpful
D"

 

[IngaLisa]

Wouldn't you need power for this?

 

[Bloom]

I saw some cool videos about it on youtube. Right now I'm using a wick system in my indoor garden. it seems to do a pretty good job. Use clay pots and put a thick rope in the hole all the way up through the roots. Then dangle the rope into a pool of water keeping the pots elevated on pallets or something similar. it works great for keeping plants alive while on vacation of as we travel down south.

 

[D"artagnan]

a small solar panel,battery, and 12 volt pump would work
for a family sized unit

 

[Ripon]

Actually you don't need a lot of power unless you are doing it indoors under lighting. If you do it outdoors you need a very small amount of power to run the pumps to move water about and airate the fish ponds. A think a few well positioned solar panels and reasonable battery pack would meet those needs.

I've wondered about the commercial viability of aquaponics for some time - if you listen to the "advertisers" selling plans it is of course viable - which makes me wonder why they sell plans and not just do it? I've designed a system for the home here in central CA but am holding off right now in case we move to NV (which I've planned on for some time). If my wife convinces me to stay in CA for a few more years I may begin to pursue it.

One advertisement - promotion that I have read suggest you can grow all of the vegetation a person needs for a year in 25 square feet. Well I designed a 64 square foot system and want to see if my wife and I can live off it - but not yet.

 

[Hardknocks24]

I thought about the system. But old school ill just keep to my garden and my grow lights.

 

[Montana Rancher]

IMO not commercially viable right now, but in the near future you will be the "fish baron" ?

 

[james]

I have also been looking into this...seems very promising. For those that don't know how it works is you grow fish and plants together in one integrated, soilless system. The fish waste provides a food source for the plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water the fish live in.