Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I know this is a very small club I personally am in it, first try was worth it, I had a good experience, lost some money but gained some knowlge.

I realise the big system people don't share ideas or should I say there is a belief that all comertial systems must come from 3-4 sources. I don't think that is the way forward, byap forum was all ways a place where people from allover the world solved problems, together.

I would like a tread where persons that tried to make money from an AP system can talk about it an how to get it better. I hope we are comfortable with each other to expand on the idea, I believe Aquaponics will replace chicken farming in the futcher some time, sooner if we work together. So lets have it a discource on comertial AP, to my knowlage earhtbound does not sell comertial systems so talking about them should not be a problem here.

What was your first attempt? Have you got any info or pics?

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www.havehomewilltravel.com
Life on the road

My first name on byap was caribbeangrower. You can search up for a little history.

Aaaaah, now I finally realise who you are. Did you loose your login details Cabba?

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~2010/2011~
~2012/2013~
~2014~
~Backyard farming~

Yeah I am on a new tablet and can't even get into my old email. Every then is on the old desk top. I will get around to fixing it soon enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2m6JkJv ... ata_player

A nice vid of what to do when your in big AP.

Really?

I dont know where do even begin.

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~2010/2011~
~2012/2013~
~2014~
~Backyard farming~

Seems like I'm destined to disagree with you a bit lately Damian. But, I think that video is EXTREMELY irrelevant when you're big commercial AP.

Not sure how the title fits in, it had nothing to do with "How to start a business with no money", but thats beside the point. Yes there's some very relevant info there for people in business, but it depends totally on the business. His main gist was to get started in business, because it's only once your in business, actually doing it, that you realize you may need to change direction and move into other things. Yes, very relevant when he's talking about IP businesses, computer tech, and on line businesses, as he was. In those types of businesses you can do a total flip and try to do something different very easily.

But with aquaponics?

No... Your money is tied up in lots of infrastructure, you're growing fish and veggies, you can;t suddenly decide you want to breed goats instead. Perhaps if you just had farm land you could do this, swap one grazing meat animal for a different fleece animal, or swap to growing trees or crops instead, but when your set up with AP systems to grow AP stuff, thats what your doing.. You may diversify a little, value add to products, incorporate tourism or other forms of supplemental income, but you aint going to start selling red boxes instead of green dots..

edit : I began Charlie..

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www.havehomewilltravel.com
Life on the road

Groan... I don't even want to get started...

The point I am trying to make is that we have to try different aproches to AP, if one way doesent work then try another.not switching from AP, but you may need to change crops or filters or go solar but you don't really know till ya try, I started out in hydro, then AP, I started with tomatoes now I do parsly, now I am looking into per package seasoning.

You know, think outside the box.

I'm wanting to get into large AP systems but I'm not even sure how to build a green dot (small AP system) besides the red box (large AP)

I mean do I need a greenhouse and instead of IBC's should I do something else ??? I'm not even sure what would be best fish to use, I think I got the hydroponics side of it but I'm new to the fish side.... I see a ratio of fish to plants (actually to plant beds but...) but I'd rather a fish thats localized and one that I DON'T NEED TO HEAT AND COOL to keep alive (we only have 2-8 days below freezing per year but 9+ months of 85-95 F (29.5-35 deg. C) and 90% humidity EVERYDAY (almost LOL)...

Does India and Barbados have an exchange student program?

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My System:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=15600&hilit=joblow%27s+system

My Fish:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtiiZv ... iWEVFANEVQ

BYAP needs a 'like' button

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Myst's set-up
viewtopic.php?t=20342

I think a good point is that AP is not a one way or nothing.

It is like saying that you want to be a farmer, so what sheep should I stock.
But as in AP, any method of farming can have many variations.
You may grow sheep for wool or for meat. You can bread only with the intention of selling spring lambs at market so to free up land for crops. You can buy spring lambs in order to grow them out.
Any way I could go on for ever with the options but you get my point.

I hear a lot on these forums about what is the right way to do a commercial system. Some have no idea and some are very knowledgeable. Some think you can just put a few tanks and some grow beds and it's of to easy street while others say it can't be done, ever.

IMOA and I am sure many will shoot me down, but AP can be a commercial success, BUT there is no one perfect formula or plan that anybody can give you to just make it happen. No silver bullet that will guarantee a success.
Just like all other farming there has to be much trial and error.

I grew up in farming area and I can safely say that what the farmers do now is different in many ways to what they did 20, 10 or even 5 years ago.

So in one way I agree with the video, the best way to do AP is to do AP.
That may not mean large scale sink all you cash in on day one kind of AP.
But if you want to do AP for commercial purposes you have to do it, even with a small scale system first.
Maybe over many years.

I think these forums are invaluable, but as much as you can read about nutrient deficiency or any other problem you need to come across it and fix it for yourself (maybe even a few times) to fully know how to manage it.

Now I know this has been a bit of a rant, but as many know, there has been a lot of issues on the threads over the last few weeks.
But in a perfect world we would not have people wanting to be the first AP Rockerfeller in there first year, but equally not those that just torpedo any conversation of those that eventually want to be commercial operators.

OK rant over

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First system
viewtopic.php?t=18996

you made me smile.

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Aquaponics Futurist
BYAP Member system: http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18755
FB: http://facebook.com/aquaponicsfuturist