As some of the other threads have noted, we’ve been having some issues in the bio area with the lighting situation.
We know that AP works. We’ve shown we can grow plants, and start cuttings. But I’m beginning to be convinced that growing indoors has got more troubles than it is worth.
Sunlight is perfect for plants, abundant, and most importantly free!
All of the AP systems we’ve built so far are on pallets for mobility. I was talking with Lampy about it yesterday and I feel we ought to move forward with the idea of setting up our AP systems outside come spring time. Either on a trailer, or simply rolling them around on a pallet jack.
We can use the interior bio area as a place to overwinter and work with harvests, etc.
I just harvested a couple lemons off of a container lemon tree at my house, and now have several buds that I just pollinated. We are using a florescent lamp…If the concerns are about burning plants, then maybe using florescent or LED is the answer. They can be practically touching the plants without burning them.
Tangentially on this topic (maybe), I’ve been giving thought to getting back into growing hops for my home-brewed beer. The idea struck me that the roof gets massive amounts of sunlight throughout the day and that if the HAM radio folks can guy-wire some all antennas out there, I could probably build a structure for running the vines. The hops have been proven to grow alright in five-gallon home depot buckets. Thoughts?
Russ
That’s an interesting idea. I don’t know how the owners feel about people being on the roof, or growing on the roof. I don’t have an interest in beer or hops, but it would be nice if we could put a large garden and greenhouse up there and grow all kinds of things.
Hi All, new to this group, but executing Aquaponics (AP) at home for about 2 years.
I tried AP inside to overwinter our Tilapia in the garage last winter. It was sketchy at best. We had problems with light, fish toxicities, fungus, lines breaking, pump failures… Good temperature control and security from other humans were about the only benefits. The inside issues would have been resolved with better beds, clear tanks, and better human care takers. Outside is so much easier, but may offer security and temperature challenges. Nothing a group of motivated Makers can’t overcome though.
What size system outside are we talking about?
Our home system is over 200 gallons - offers good buffering, takes advantage of cheap light. We were able to over winter in 2013 using some aquarium heaters in our system.
Perhaps we start our plants inside sometime in March depending on type, transplanting to the outdoors just post our April frosts (or earlier if we build a greenhouse outside).
I wonder if we have any weight restrictions for the roof. Water gets heavy.
There was actually a big discussion about the HAM radio antenna / rooftop install. My guess is that rooftop is a no-go based on the lease provisions and the discussions in the other thread. Essentially, they neither wanted people on the roof regularly, nor anything that can be seen from the road / parking lot.
But they did get permission for the antenna, so there’s certainly a chance if the board / owner agree.
Outside is so much easier, but may offer security and temperature challenges. Nothing a group of motivated Makers can’t overcome though.