Hello, I am a long time fishkeeper and have recently found myself interested in aquaponics as well as hydroponics and aeroponics. So i will make this disclamer up front... I have done a lot of research but still am a beginner. I have read enough that I would like to think I have a pretty solid understanding of the various systems and how they work, but as anyone who has ever built anything... understanding and research is a far cry from actual experience and its about time I rectify that

So first things first... I will be working indoors with some grow lights for the moment... if things turn out great I may expand to a greenhouse outdoors but for now I am working in a pretty limited space.

I also am aware that the fish I keep are not the ideal for aquaponic systems but I figure as long as the aquaponic part of my little experiments stays small I should have enough to fertilize my plants. I breed various fish so I do get a lot of excrement, just not enough for a major large aquaponics setup.

So now my plan... I am going to have a 3 part experiment to decide what I want to do, the first part will be a strawberry tower which will be based off my aquaponics, I also will do a larger vertical planter using NFT with hydroponics. Lastly I plan on making an aeroponic system so I can compare the 3 so I can say I will honestly understand the differences in implementation and whatnot. As I said somewhere in the future I would like to expand beyond this experiment but I need some practical experience first.

Now for the questions...

1.) Strawberry tower... What media do you guys usually use in your towers? I've seen these built a few different ways and it seems like everyone thinks they have the best method. I was considering the tower where you cut a slot every 6 inches or so then use a heat gun and bend the pvc in. THEN I would use a 4 inch pot filled with hydroton. Then let the water drip down from the top.

I have also seen a few people drill holes out and put some pvc in the slots and use a root growing method using what looks like to me aeroponics... I suppose if you are sure to filter the water that it wouldnt be a problem but can you get a proper mist in 4 inch PVC? If this is possible I would go very much like to go that route since it would compare better with the aeroponic barrel I plan on making in part of my testing.


2.) Vertical NFT setup... I was planning on making a system similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Hydroponics-sy...roponic+system

That is entirely too expensive but is simple enough to build, I'd use 1.5 inch pvc as braces, 4 inch as the growing pvc and set it up so I can control where the water goes and how much so it should be simple enough. if I decided to expand my aquaponics it also should be pretty adaptable to aquaponics from hydroponics.

Anyone ever attempt anything along these lines?

My biggest question is the first one, especially if its possible to get a proper mist in 4 inch pvc, I know I can get pottable water quality 4 inch pvc but not sure about any bigger... and I really would prefer to do it with a mist.. but as I said I have other ways planned if needed.

Thanks.