1st Aquaponic System Build Log - Hybrid Media / NFT

[Jason_in_Largo]

Hi all, I'm Jason and I'm a newbie with a big dream and no experience. I am probably what most would call a master aquarium keeper in both fresh and saltwater. I have designed, built and maintained large fish breeding and coral propagation systems and much more. I also have a year of outdoor grow-bag gardening experience with a timer-based automatic irrigation system, and did reasonably well. I have kept herb gardens most of my adult life, so my thumbs are somewhat green. Enough about me...lets talk about my planned system!

I have a large lania (un-airconditioned sun room) that I plan to turn into an aquaponic grow room here in central Florida near Clearwater. Outdoor gardening here is challenging for many reasons like climate, bugs, pests and diseases. Fish ponds are also not okay because we have a ton of predatory birds and animals that love free fish. Technically I will be a small indoor system, if there is a space for indoor systems, I did not see it. If I'm in the wrong spot, please advise and I will move it.

I still have a ton of research and reading to do, but wanted to get a thread started to chronicle my process and bounce ideas off of people more experienced than I. So far I only have a medium sized plastic "pond" and a pile of various PVC pipes plus plenty of lumber of all sizes (I work in construction so tools and building know how are good). The lania is a wreck, but I'm getting it cleaned out and ready (I will have about 10 ft. x 15 ft. to work with, windows along one wall but will probably block out and use LED lighting. Lots of research, decisions and design choices to make, but I'm pretty sure I want a media based lower over the pond with a NFT above along the wall.

Here is a pic of the "pond", I'm guessing it is around 100 gallons or maybe a little more. My real dream is to make the lanai like a mini, indoor, edible, japanese water garden. Can I do it??

Jason