UPDATED: We have recently updated this guide to make it more efficient and safer to use. Please see the instructions here:
http://www.japan-aquaponics.com/micro-aquaponics-plans.html
Aquaponics is becoming more and more popular and many people want to build their own system. Aquaponics integrates fish, plants and microbes into a sustainable and ecologically balanced food production system.
This project from Japan Aquaponics will show you how to build your very own system using commonly available components from IKEA and your local hardware store. Anyone can set up their own system in an afternoon and start experiencing the pleasure of building their own little ecosystem!
http://www.japan-aquaponics.com/micro-aquaponics-plans.html
Aquaponics is becoming more and more popular and many people want to build their own system. Aquaponics integrates fish, plants and microbes into a sustainable and ecologically balanced food production system.
This project from Japan Aquaponics will show you how to build your very own system using commonly available components from IKEA and your local hardware store. Anyone can set up their own system in an afternoon and start experiencing the pleasure of building their own little ecosystem!
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Signing UpStep 1: Setting the frame up
The main frame that we are going to use will be the Antonius frame combined with one or two wire baskets and two of the plastic containers. We will use the 50l container for the fish tank at the bottom, and the 25l container for the growbed at the top. Simply put the Antonius unit together as per the IKEA instructions.
We use the wire basket as support for the 25l plastic container for the growbed. This is not strictly necessary for the 50l plastic container fish tank at the bottom if you just put the container on the floor. You may want to trim the plastic lip on the top container to ensure a better fit, and we also cut the handles off the ends of the container - but again, it is not strictly necessary. To cut the plastic we just used a small saw, but you can also use some standard wire pliers.
We use the wire basket as support for the 25l plastic container for the growbed. This is not strictly necessary for the 50l plastic container fish tank at the bottom if you just put the container on the floor. You may want to trim the plastic lip on the top container to ensure a better fit, and we also cut the handles off the ends of the container - but again, it is not strictly necessary. To cut the plastic we just used a small saw, but you can also use some standard wire pliers.
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In Japan, herbs are really expensive and so I know that many people grow basil in theirs as it is far too expensive in the shops, and they get better quality from their little systems!
Your system is looking great... a very nice, tidy set up! With regards to drain and fill times... what you have now is not a problem, but if you can slow it down a little more tha might be better - aim to be closer to 8-10 mins for the fill and the drain is just whatever it takes. You will need to balance the siphon when you slow the water flow into the growbed.
Aeration should be enough from the splashing of the water into the tank, unless the temperature of the water is quite high? Check that there isn't another issue as we only ever use additional aeration in the summer. Additional aeration is never a bad thing though and costs next to nothing in terms of electricity so no reason not to add it!
Watching these things in action is very peaceful... I love listening to the siphons going on and off!
If not... don't worry too much as a quick rate is not going to be much of a problem to be honest. But try and slow it down just a little if you can.
http://www.japan-aquaponics.com/bell-siphon-guide.html
Are the fish alive and healthy ?
Are the Plants growing well ?
Which fish is in the system now ?
Which plants are you growing now ?
Any problem you faced with the system or any disadvantage of the system ?
Like this i am looking for update on the status on how the system is doing....
Also i want to ask can i use Affnan's Simphon for this setup ?
I am truly interested in doing this !
So, the system has been running for nearly 2 years now with no problems. The fish (goldfish) are growing (we took a couple out as they got bigger - just so that they were not crowded) and the plants are happy. We use our system mainly for some small houseplants (ferns and lucky bamboo) and some herbs (basil and chives) and all are well.
Every 6 months or so we check over the lava rocks and sometimes will have to give the rocks a little bit of a rinse. The fish waste can build up and so we need to clear it out sometimes so that it doesn't become anaerobic. We have also added a small mesh bag to the inflow pipe to catch the biggest parts of the fish waste.
We can also easily add small filters to this system if there is too much solid waste - a simple sponge, aquarium filters, a mesh bag, even a sock! Just something to catch most of the solid waste before it goes into the growbed. All not strictly necessary, but nice to play around with and experiment!
You can certainly add an Affnan siphon to the system - although we have not found it necessary to do so - the bell siphon has always worked very easily for this small system just with a straight piece of pipe.
Hope this helps.
2) if not do you feel to have one?
3) How long does it took for the system to mature ?
4) Did you still kept it indoor ?
5) Are they in direct sunlight ? or Mirrored Window Sunglight? or no sunlight ?
6) How to you keep the temperature in the desirable range?
7) Did you ever got any bug / pest for fish / plant ?
8) Do you think this system (aquaponics) is good or Deep water culture or Hydroponics or NFT is good for indoor?
9)Do you think this system is good for expansion ?
10)Do you think a BIO Filter is needed (home made with sea shells) in your system to manage toxic / fish wates ?
Sorry to ask so many question but i am really curious
We do indeed have a water testing kit to test pH and ammonia / nitrates. This system is really only a little system for indoors - just to get people started in aquaponics. If you want to experiment more then I would make a larger system.
May I direct you to our website as this will give you many of the answers to your questions... the Information Section and the DIY Section would be the best places to start: (don't worry... all in English)
www.japan-aquaponics.com
Aragon
The decision to turn the water off should go hand-in-hand with thinking about oxygen in the water for the fish.
Hope this helps.
Glad to know algae isn't much of an issue in the growbed, as it'll get the most direct light with my indoor setup. I'll be starting in a basement during the winter months so hopefully heat wont be an issues with the bins I found on sale today.
cheers!
You will be pleased to know that these containers can be bought as part of the Antonius unit - this helps to make sure that everything fits together beautifully!