GK Daddio
12-17-2014, 05:58 AM
So lets get to it. I'm Greg and reside just outside of Philadelphia, PA where I have lived all but two and a half years of my life. I have a background in Landscape design/build and lawn/garden retail so I am not new to the aquatic equation but adding the vegetables to the mix is. I just completed my basic system setup and have had it circulating for the past month and ready for stocking with fish. This setup is going to be my test bed before immersing myself in a grander scale and scope of aquaponic growing.
After years of working for others I took the setup to self employment and few years back but after four and a half years and one hell of a recession I had to sell the business as I just didn't have the capital to get through the tough times with a new business. What frustrated me most there was watching our government through money out to all of their pocket lining pals while folks like me wilted away and had to make tough decisions before losing things more valuable like ones home or family.
Anyway, back to the aquaponics. My future plan after getting my feet wet is to expand things into a small business venture whether part or full time but both my brother and I see some potential with this especially knowing numerous restaurant owners in our area. I have always wanted to farm and this seems to be a great way to circle back to my dreams.
I will post some pics shortly but below is what I have got in place or some to be:
- 300 gal DWC system
- 100 gal fish tank
- Two approx. 50 gal grow beds
- Mag drive 1200 gal pump
- Home made bio filter that can handle several thousand gallons
- Will be using LED lighting for efficiency
- Air pump being ordered this week
- Water heater to come for winter since the basement has minimal heat
- Future will bring in a flood and drain bed as well as a small NFT system.
My stocking plans are for trout and yes, I have seen a few comments on using them but with some research that I have done shows that trout can be adapted in a smaller tank when they are introduced under 4-6" in size, good filtration and good aeration. Was going to go with Tilapia but getting them anything larger then fingerlings is near impossible. So I am still waiting to hear back from a PA well know hatchery and I will go from there.
Well so much for being short winded in my intro but I figured I mind as well dive in. See ya'll in the forums. :lol:
After years of working for others I took the setup to self employment and few years back but after four and a half years and one hell of a recession I had to sell the business as I just didn't have the capital to get through the tough times with a new business. What frustrated me most there was watching our government through money out to all of their pocket lining pals while folks like me wilted away and had to make tough decisions before losing things more valuable like ones home or family.
Anyway, back to the aquaponics. My future plan after getting my feet wet is to expand things into a small business venture whether part or full time but both my brother and I see some potential with this especially knowing numerous restaurant owners in our area. I have always wanted to farm and this seems to be a great way to circle back to my dreams.
I will post some pics shortly but below is what I have got in place or some to be:
- 300 gal DWC system
- 100 gal fish tank
- Two approx. 50 gal grow beds
- Mag drive 1200 gal pump
- Home made bio filter that can handle several thousand gallons
- Will be using LED lighting for efficiency
- Air pump being ordered this week
- Water heater to come for winter since the basement has minimal heat
- Future will bring in a flood and drain bed as well as a small NFT system.
My stocking plans are for trout and yes, I have seen a few comments on using them but with some research that I have done shows that trout can be adapted in a smaller tank when they are introduced under 4-6" in size, good filtration and good aeration. Was going to go with Tilapia but getting them anything larger then fingerlings is near impossible. So I am still waiting to hear back from a PA well know hatchery and I will go from there.
Well so much for being short winded in my intro but I figured I mind as well dive in. See ya'll in the forums. :lol: