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55 Gallon Simple Aquaponics System

I was reading on an aquaponics forum about a guy that wanted to build a simple aquaponics system for less than $150.

As the day went on the question bugged me, because for a very small and limited system I spent about $250 learning how the basics of aquaponics works. I messed up everything, killed the plants, killed most of the fish, and had a few tomatoes that cost me about $35 each. I’ve learned quite a bit since then. As the day went on I thought about what it would take to get all of my family and friends with at least a basic system they could setup themselves, for cheap – yet still produce over 100 lbs of vegetables a year.
My thoughts are, if someone learns the basics, and then can see for themselves how easy and rewarding it is to grow several of their own plants, maybe we’ll have more aquaponics people, and more people who think about self sustainability. Here is one of the 3 systems that I came up with:
55 gallon aquaponics system

Features

55 Gallons
With only 55 gallons, you might be able to run (at max) 7 to 10 tilapia; however 2 to 3 would be a safer number. Direct sunlight on the tank will cause drastic heat swings and this will kill fish. There is no supplemental heat so if temperature goes below 55F I would lose all of the tilapia. Bluegill might be a better choice for my area as they have a wider tolerance range. pH changes will be more dramatic and fast than a 300+ gallon system, but definately manageable. You will need to refill evaporated and transpired water regularly. It’s not realistic to harvest so small number of fish because removing fish to eat would drastically change the plant fertilizer. I think goldfish would be a better solution for this small of a system.
Grow bed capacity
You have 2 grow beds that are deep enough to get a decent bacteria colony growing, and thus provide nutrients and bio filtration for your tank. 55 gallons will allow for a decent amount of grow beds, enough to make this worthwhile. 2 to 4 half cut shelves + several grow towers is easily doable from only 55 gallons. I estimate that if you fit 5 – 10 large plants in each cut barrel and put up 3 grow towers (4 pots each), you could grow a mixture of deep root and shallow root plants and have about 30-40 plants in this system. I don’t think size would allow you to add more, but that would depend on the types of plants you actually choose. There is a link to the aquaponics system with towers at the end of this article.
Simplicity
There are no valves, no solids filters, and only 1 pump listed. Everything is constant flow to reduce stress on your fish, and to eliminate the extra cost of making autosiphons. Without autosiphons, this limits the types of plants that can be grown, but only a little bit. The goal is a simple, foolproof, inexpensive system good for beginners that would require only the minimal maintenance (monthly pump cleaning).
Continuous Flow
There are several different methods of cycling water over the grow beds. One is called Continuous Flow (often CF). This method is the best for basic systems. A CF grow bed runs water continuously up to about 2 inches to 4 inches below the surface. This allows for high quantities of dissolved oxygen, and is said to cycle and mature a system faster than ebb and flow or draining with an autosiphon. Continuous flow does not require timers or siphons, the water is kept at the same level constantly, but is always draining too. One advantage of a CF aquaponics system is that the pump maintains the same level of water and a much slower change in temperature. Grow beds heat up in the sun, and if you have cool water on hot grow beds it flushes back hot water. This could stress the fish. The only disadvantage is that not all plants like continous flow (most do great though).

Cost of Materials

Here is a table of what I would build 55 gallon aquaponics system from:

$7.50 $3.52 2 2×4 @ 10′ Untreated
$16.20 $2.70 6 2×4 @ 8′ Untreated
$40.00 $20.00 2 Food Grade Barrel
$3.90 $0.39 10 3/4″ Elbow Sched 40 PVC
$0.42 $0.42 1 3/4″ Tee Sched 40 PVC
$4.36 $2.36 2 3/4″ Sched 40 PVC pipe
$2.94 $1.47 2 3/4″ Sched 40 PVC Threaded + Slip Coupler Male
$1.18 $0.59 2 3/4″ Sched 40 PVC Threaded + Slip Coupler Female
$42.00 $42.00 1 150 GPH Pondmaster pump
$16.00 $16.00 1 1/2″ to 1″ River Rock (must be safe/ph nuetral)
$4.00 $4.00 1 1 Tube Silicone
$29.98 $29.98 1 Half a box of Deck Mate Self tapping wood screws (2″)
$6.98 $6.98 1 A small amount of PVC glue + primer
$16.67     Govt Meddling Fee (Tax estimate)
       
$192.14 Total Parts

This does not account for a backup pump and you should really have one!

Tower Version Parts Cost

$7.04 $3.52 2 2×4 @ 10′ Untreated
$16.20 $2.70 6 2×4 @ 8′ Untreated
$40.00 $20.00 2 Food Grade Barrel
$6.24 $0.39 16 3/4″ Elbow Sched 40 PVC
$0.84 $0.42 2 3/4″ Tee Sched 40 PVC
$12.70 $2.36 5 3/4″ Sched 40 PVC pipe
$8.82 $1.47 6 3/4″ Sched 40 PVC Threaded + Slip Coupler Male
$3.54 $0.59 6 3/4″ Sched 40 PVC Threaded + Slip Coupler Female
$139.00 $139.00 1 150 GPH Pondmaster pump (online cheaper)
$16.00 $16.00 1 1/2″ to 1″ River Rock (must be safe/ph nuetral)
$15.00 $15.00 1 1/2″ Plywood
$30.00 $15.00 2 Plastic Trellis
$10.50 $1.50 7 2″x2″ for the tower framework
$9.00 $4.50 2 3/4″ PVC Slip valve
$8.00 $8.00 1 4″ PVC pipe
$4.50 $1.50 3 4″ end caps
$4.00 $4.00 1 1 Tube Silicone
$2.50 $2.50 1 Package of 2 small hinges for the door
$3.50 $1.75 2 Slide latch for door top and bottom
$29.98 $29.98 1 Half a box of Deck Mate Self tapping wood screws (2″)
$6.98 $6.98 1 A small amount of PVC glue + primer
$35.49     Govt Meddling Fee (Tax)
       
$410.30 Total Parts

This does not account for a backup pump and you should really have one!

Google Sketchup

This aquaponics system model was created in google sketchup, a free modeling software. Here is an animation showing you the details of the aquaponics system build.
2barrelap-greenhouse_stream0
Certain things have been left out such as the exact dimensions, as they aren’t terribly important. However, it is important that the drain pipes drain the water and leave about 2 inches of dry media on the top. This is done by cutting the drain pipe 2″ below the surface. My diagram does not have it, but another large pipe with slits in it, surrounding the drain pipe would be a good idea to keep worms, and rocks out of your fish bed.
Also, you would want to use a cheese cloth/paint strainer type back or some other filter for the pump intake. I like to bury the pump in a small basket filled with gravel. This keeps fish out, but allows some solids to be sucked up.

Tower Version of the 55 Gallon Aquaponics System

2barrelap-standalone-towers_stream0 The towers add on about $45 in parts, but it provides the ability to add a shade cloth or greenhouse wrap. I also priced the tower version with at least 1 foam sheet as sun insulation ($14), 2 pieces of trellis ($30), 1 sheet of 1/2″ plywood ($16) a different pump ($80 online, $140 walk in), and the shadecloth and vinyl ($75+). The total came out to about $404 in parts (estimated) for the tower version with trellis addon. The tower version adds 12 strawberry towers but also a huge area to grow vine plants like tomatoes and cucumbers.

Summary

Here are two designs that will work for beginners wanting to try out aquaponics without breaking the bank. Both systems can grow at least 30 plants, but possibly more. Everything is simple and maintenance free (clean pumps once a month, monitor water levels, fish activity, and pests). I think I’ll build the tower version as an isolation tank or for a few bluegill. It will fit on my back porch, next to the planned banana trees.

Exact Diagrams and measurements for 55 Gallon Aquaponics System

If there is interest, I can provide a PDF with detailed cutting instructions, pump filter construction, parts list suppliers, cycling basics, and suggested plants. Please leave a comment if you would like me to make this?

Images of First Prototype of 55 Gallon Aquaponics System

These are pictures of a modified version that is about $363 in parts before the backup pump (add about $80 if you get it on online or $150ish if you pick it up in a store).

DSC04324I will probably change out the elbow for either an elbow with holes drilled in the top, or a “T” with the top open for better aeration. I also used zip ties to anchor these in place to prevent movement (and leaks) of these pipes.


DSC04326 I added a little door with some cheap $2 hinges from lowes. The orange circles on the foam are roofing nail tops. I took the nail out and then used a screw that was just the right size to secure the foam to the door. This side will get hit with quite a bit of sun so I didn’t want radiant heat cooking the fish.


DSC04327You can see the water level before we fill it with rocks. There is about 2 inch dry zone and a 2 inch moist zone before it hits the water line. Plants will send roots to where they need and this will protect the water from algae, evaporation and direct sun temperature changes.


DSC04329Although the 2 sides that get the most sun exposure are wrapped in sytrofoam board and then 1/2″ plywood to protect the board, the 3rd side (this side) was wrapped in leftover parts. The intent is to keep drastic and quick temperature changes from happening so the fish are not as stressed. It can get 120F in the direct sun in Mesa, AZ – so I wanted to keep all direct sun off of the tank even though the 4 types of fish that will work for us here (tilapia, goldfish, crappie, catfish) can take up to 95F temps, I am sure there won’t be much dissolved oxygen at those temperatures. If we need to, I can add another 2×2 and then wrap the entire thing with a shade cloth spacer to keep direct sun off of the tank area.


DSC04330The back and the tops near the door and grow beds are open to encourage ventilation and keep stale (hot) air from sitting on the system. I used some scraps and left overs to shade the tank from reflected heat from the house that is about 1.5 feet away, just in case.


DSC04331Lesson learned: do not save the bungholes when cutting your growbeds. It’s just another place to leak. Instead, cut directly through where the bungholes would be. Water never reaches this high as they will be at the very top of the grow bed instead of down in the water like shown here. Ahhh… the price of education. I siliconed the inside after tightening it as best I could.



DSC04332This is an interior view from the backside of the return and supply pipes.



DSC04333Here is a detailed shot of the pvc grow towers that will be used for strawberries.



DSC04334This shows the trellis for the vine growths such as tomatoes and cucumbers. There are 3 grow towers out of a single 10 foot piece of 4″ PVC (about $8 a piece at lowes). It would not be difficult to add an entire wall of grow towers. My concern is that the exposed water will promote algae and rob the system of micro and macro nutrients. We’ll see.


Final Notes

  • A $125 IBC system as a base would almost add 2 to 3 times as much grow volume and the ability to have 30-50 tilapia, but only adds about $80 in cost)
  • Tighten bungholes before you assemble everything else. Invest in a $15 bung tightener.
  • Cut through bungholes instead of trying to use them and seal them
  • Make sure everything is level
  • Wet test everything before adding rocks
  • Make sure and bend your PVC towers so they will drip inside. Take extra time here.
  • Lowes gives a 10% military discount!
  • Use bulkhead fittings instead of silicone and PVC male/female screw ons
  • Wash your rocks thoroughly before adding to system
  • Cut your drain pipes down to about 2″ and use a coupler on top of them so you can easily remove the top piece and cut/add pipe as needed to adjust your water level
  • Make sure you have access to your towers if you wrap it in trellis
{ 67 comments… add one }
  • Rupert January 30, 2013, 8:10 pm

    Yes, I think a PDF or a blueprint of the above plan would be a fantastic contribution to this field and help noobs muster the courage & take the leap to actually build a system rather than researching it online endlessly! Please email me if you do make this. I’d be interested in modifying this to work with our 55 gallon aquarium tank and would need advice on where to source food grade barrels. Your plan sounds very doable otherwise! Thank you!!

    • james January 30, 2013, 8:22 pm

      @Rupert – I will be building one in a few days with some friends and will record all of the measurements. I’ll post them here. To get the barrels, you can try a few places: bakeries, car washes, any food processing factories (mine are syrup barrels). I buy mine from a local guy (http://tanknbarrel.com) that finds them and charges me $20 each to deliver them. You will have to find a local supplier, or search craigslist too. Just make sure that previous chemicals/contents are not toxic.

  • Kendall June 21, 2013, 7:34 pm

    I would love a PDF of the actual plan as well. We will be starting a small system soon and then moving to a much larger system as well based off of the UVI system.

  • Don August 23, 2013, 1:13 pm

    I would be interested in the above plans or the PDF blueprint I would like to build this version,thanks

  • melissa September 3, 2013, 2:45 pm

    Hi there, can you please send me the pdf with the measurements and how to set up the tower design? my skills as a carpenter are not so good, i could use all the help i could get.
    Thanks so much

  • Sean October 13, 2013, 3:40 pm

    Would love the plans to this.

    • Sean October 13, 2013, 3:45 pm

      To the table version please

  • Pitbullpride November 3, 2013, 5:13 pm

    I live in Oklahoma, and I have 4 people in my family, I have never grown much of anything, but the idea of growing a garden as well as a supply of fish to eat excites me… My question is, based on the info i have given you, if we wanted to eat fish say once a month, or so, maybe sooner if it permitted it… what size aquaponics would you recomend… I am 2 hours into this investigation about this possibility, and I was thinking the 55 gallon setup you have shown is a good start to a new hobby…

    • james December 23, 2013, 12:08 pm

      @pitbullpride – I would suggest a single IBC at about 200 gallons tank and 75 gallons grow bed. You should be able to fit 50-60 lbs of fish in that. The thing about harvesting fish though is that you need to keep them in a cycle. So, you’d probably want several tanks where you could breed in one, grow out fingerlings in another, and move larger fish to a final tank. Or, you could buy your fish once a year for about $1.50 a fish and just regrow them each year. If you stock more than 50 in a small tank like that they won’t grow very big. In a 55 gallon tank the max I would put is 5-10, and that will be limited more by your grow bed and filtration. It takes 9 months for a tilapia to grow to plate size. Other fish, like crappie, trout and catfish take between 1.5 years and 2.5 year to grow to plate size. If you want one fish per month, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

      • Kimani July 21, 2015, 3:33 pm

        Hi All,
        I have ben trying to start growing channel catfish in my backyard in eastern contra costa county, a arid, hot region. I have a 250 gallon IBC that has been able to sustain currently about 15 channel catfish o various weights none larger than 1.8 lbs. but now my water has turned a cloudy brown and I have two store-bought bio-filters. I really want to be able to recycle my waste water though hydroponics any suggestions.

  • Chooch November 8, 2013, 7:21 am

    Is there any back flow in the system if the electric goes out?

  • Gaetano Benanti November 30, 2013, 5:05 pm

    Hi may you send me the diagram of your systems with part list, I ham also interst to the tower system.

  • Jeff Guzman January 11, 2014, 6:30 pm

    I would def be interested in a pdf version of the plans.

  • Dung Van Huynh March 11, 2014, 7:22 am

    where can i get this plan? if i was to used gold fish, how many?

  • james k April 29, 2014, 11:20 am

    So I was Wondering if you have that PDF available, I have a lot of the supplies already and now I am just trying to decide the best route with my options this one works perfectly for me because I live in apartments and this will fit my balcony perfectly and even weight wise the balcony can hold up, if you were concerned.

  • Frederick Ollewagen May 1, 2014, 12:13 pm

    Hi, could I also have a copy of the PDF plans.
    I am from Pretoria, South Africa

  • Sandal May 17, 2014, 6:03 pm

    I have recently become interested in aquaponics and have been looking for a simple system to start with. This looks doable to me. I would like the diagrams please. I have already purchased barrels but have not found plans that I felt I could put together.

  • Sandal May 22, 2014, 8:03 pm

    This looks like something I can do, very simple. I would like the plans for the tower system

  • hiram abiff July 16, 2014, 10:00 am

    THANKYOU SO MUCH .YOU HAVE REALLY HELP ME PREPARE.I APPREICIATE ALL THE INFORMATION.I ALSO WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SEND ME THE PDF WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXACT DIAGRAMS AND MEASUREMENTS FOR A 55 GALLOON AQUAPONICS SYSTEM. IT WILL BE GLADLY PUT TO GOOD USE.
    ALSO IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE PDF WITH DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS THEY WILL BE MORE THAN WONDERFUL ,SEND THOSE ALSO .
    IF YOU HAVE ANY TIPS ON BUILDING ,CARING FOR FISH ,PLANTING,WHAT AND WHEN TO PLANT,WHAT TYPE OF GRAVEL ,FILTERS ,PUMPS, PLEASE SEND.
    THANKYOU CANT WAIT TO HERE FROM YOU.
    FRATERNALLY YOURS
    HIRAM ABIFF

  • Fredd Lutz July 27, 2014, 5:51 am

    Congratulations for the beautiful work. I would like to receive a PDF with detailed cutting instructions, pump filter construction, parts list suppliers, cycling basics, and suggested plants. Thanks a lot.

  • rey August 8, 2014, 11:07 am

    Great article for a beginner. Would you have the PDF?

  • Nicole August 16, 2014, 9:52 am

    Hi, I’m a newbie and would graciously appreciate help with my little starter system. By the way, I am very envious of yours and would love to build that someday but I am starting small. I have just a half 55 gl barrel with a 55 gl fish tank. My problem is my siphon won’t drain all the water. It stops with about 5 inches of water left in the barrel. I have a 3/4 inch stand pipe with a 1 1/2″ bell siphon. It initiates siphoning but won’t drain all the way??? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance 🙂

  • Divakar Uniyal September 18, 2014, 3:48 am

    I am learning aquaponic & want to give a try. A pdf will certainly help. Just want to know what will be the method keeping water temp in winter season. Is we need to keep heating element provision?
    thanks

  • sootedninjas September 20, 2014, 11:42 pm

    what plants (vegetables, herbs and fruiting) grows great on continuous flow ?
    What plants (vegetables, herbs and fruiting) DOES NOT grow great on continuous flow ?
    thanks in advance.

  • sootedninjas September 21, 2014, 12:09 am

    is the info for the measurements available ?

  • Matt December 23, 2014, 5:18 am

    Hey mate setup looks fantastic. Did you have a pdf for the setup?

  • Thomas Starnes January 5, 2015, 5:18 pm

    James,
    I have been looking all over for plans that suit my needs, and these look great. I’m in the military and stationed overseas. I have a 55 gal fish tank that I want to use instead of the barrel. I Haven’t been able to find talaria or any other fresh water fish to put in the tank. I’m most likely going to put in goldfish. Hopefully this works. When you get time I would love to see your plans for the towers over the system. Great post.
    Thanks.
    Tommy

  • Moe Green January 6, 2015, 1:07 am

    I’m interested in making this can u send me the plans

  • Josh Nichols February 2, 2015, 4:53 pm

    I am very interested in building something like this and would love a detailed list of cuts, fish, and plants you put in here. I’m new to aquaponics and I love the tower idea because I would love to add a few strawberry plants to this. Also curious what you use to bury the plants in. Everything I have seen researching this looks to be rocks, and in my mind you need dirt so correct me if I’m wrong! 🙂 Very much appreciated! Thank you!

  • Tom Gruca March 14, 2015, 8:25 pm

    Would love to have the pdf file also. First time at this hobby

  • Reece.s March 30, 2015, 10:55 pm

    Hey! Really interested on building a backyard system! An this set up looks great to start with. I would love the PDF you were talking about, the one with the detail measurements. If you had time to make it of course.
    I live in Hawaii with year round great weather, so I’m excited to get this started! Thanks!

  • Terry April 16, 2015, 1:24 am

    I too am very interested in the pdf with detailed instructions!!! I have two barrels lying around and I would love to replicate your system , sooner the better. Thanks

  • Fred Ponce April 23, 2015, 1:44 pm

    Would you be able to send me plans? Looks like a very simple setup to make with my kids over the summer.
    Thank you

  • Bob Meurer May 3, 2015, 7:26 pm

    Hello could you please send us the more detailed dimensions of the 55 gallon wooden support structure for the barrels. Not the tower system, the regular 55 gallon barrel system.

  • Kevin May 6, 2015, 10:55 am

    I’d be interested in the PDF you mentioned with the instructions and dimensions. Thank you!

  • Jacob Richardson May 12, 2015, 12:03 pm

    I would like a pdf version and blue print for the one with the vertices towers

  • Penny Antonson May 16, 2015, 4:44 pm

    We are working on a similar version. If you ever did make the pdf and would like to send it that would save us a lot of time. We have not started yet as we are making a pattern of what you have before we start.

  • James May 23, 2015, 12:06 am

    can I get a pdf copy of this. new to aquaponics and like this set up

  • Brenna May 26, 2015, 12:37 pm

    Hello! I have all my supplies ready I was wondering if you could email me the PDF for this (without towers) with exact diagrams and measurements.
    Thanks!

  • Don July 1, 2015, 3:03 pm

    My daughter is going to make an aquaponics system for her school science fair project. I like the simple design with the 55-gallon drums. You mentioned that with the CF system, not all plants would work. Can you tell me which ones specifically we should avoid with this type of flow system?
    Also, I would love to get a copy of your detailed instructions on how to build this system. Can you email that to me? Thank you.

  • john petroschek July 18, 2015, 1:46 pm

    Biggest flaw with this design, though nice and compact as it is, is that it will be a major pain to get to the fish for harvesting and cleaning solid matter from the bottom of the barrel. Always better to at least offset them.

  • Christopher August 3, 2015, 4:00 pm

    This is a great design, and am planning on building this for my first system. Were you able to document the measurements or a blueprint on this system? At the beginning of this post it mentions there will be a link at the bottom of the article to the aquaponics system with the towers. Has this link been removed?

  • Nickles August 7, 2015, 10:34 am

    THANK YOU FOR BEING SO INFORMATIVE!!!! Excellent write up and pictures, keep growing!

  • JJ August 7, 2015, 7:00 pm

    Quick question, how do you get rid of the solid wastes? Do you have to clean out gunk from the rocks? Or is solid waste not that much of an issue?

  • Michael August 20, 2015, 12:42 am

    I was wondering if you actually had some measurements and purchasing list for this system. It would be great to have a basic list to put this into motion with as little head ache as possible.

  • Javier gonzalez September 20, 2015, 2:23 am

    Hi James. Excellent introduction to aquaponics and eye opening info. My son is looking for doing a science project for this year. He’s very interested on aquaponics as source of it. Do you have the blueprint, measurements or materials to build the system with the IBC TANK? may we have access to it?

  • Jeremiah M September 28, 2015, 2:48 am

    Awesome tips! I am an environmental science teacher. I am planning having a set up in the next couple months for my students. Is it possible to please email me pdf of this instruction-if possible step by step, as I have never done one of these before but I know my students will learn a ton from this. I am only experienced in setting up aquariums. Thanks a lot for your help.

  • Keith Phillips October 17, 2015, 10:12 am

    Alright I was asked by a school to build a aquaponic system and I was wondering if you could give me any detailed information on how to put your system together also wanted to know if I might be able to put a ell siphon on one side if so any information you have on that thank you very much Keith Phillips

  • Nick October 23, 2015, 2:39 pm

    Hi James,
    Do you happen to have the pdf for the measurements on this system?
    Nick

  • Steve October 26, 2015, 3:09 pm

    Hey, I read somewhere that tilapia need at least 2.5 feet of grow depth. What do you think about that assertion considering the sideways barrel does not allow that?

  • Justin November 1, 2015, 10:49 am

    Cheers. Amazing work. I already bought all the materials I need to complete the tower version. Would love to see a pdf for measurements. I’ll just improvise in the mean time.
    Thanks for your time!
    Justin

  • Chris November 17, 2015, 11:47 am

    Please if you could send me the, Exact Diagrams and measurements for 55 Gallon Aquaponics System that would be Amazing, Also on the Notes, whats the “IBC system as a base”, Sorry I didnt understand that. I am really new at this, if you can help that would be awesome! Thanks!

  • Kmeier December 23, 2015, 1:21 pm

    Did you ever create a PDF file with exact instructions? If so, could you email them to me or direct me to them? Thank you.

  • Rajan Abraham January 3, 2016, 8:41 pm

    Hi,
    Thanks for your information about 55 gallown aquaponic system. I want to make same as yours. But Can you let me know what kind of pump I need to buy. T
    Thanks
    Rajan Abraham

  • Andrew Hintz March 15, 2016, 8:53 am

    Hi,
    I am attempting to build my first aquaponics setup using your plans above. Could you possibly email me with the PDF Blueprint you mentioned above? We are building it for a forth grade project next year and any words of wisdom would be appreciated! Thanks again.
    Andy

  • Lauren August 23, 2016, 1:25 am

    Thanks so much for creating this! I am currently volunteering in the Philippines and am interested in building the tower system for one of our communities with no food security. Is there any chance that I can get a copy of the PDF? Thanks!

  • Rusty Shackleford October 7, 2016, 9:54 am

    Sweet, low cost
    is it possible to get the plans?
    Thanks so much
    [email protected]

  • Beau October 31, 2016, 7:37 am

    Is it possible to get the pdf plans? I was also curious how you “worked” the PVC on the towers. Total newbie here so sorry for silly questions.

    • james January 28, 2019, 4:13 pm

      I used a heat gun from harbor freight and slowly heated the pvc (careful of toxic fumes). I cut approximately where I desired the cups. Then I used a wet towel and small hand tool to bend them/shape them.

  • David OFarrill November 24, 2016, 3:19 am

    Hey James! Great work! Props from Guadalajara, Mexico. I’m studying biotechnology engineering, and have taken interest in the topic recently, specially because a friend of mine has enormous country farms and would like to diversify into aquaponics after I test it. Did you do the PDF with the blueprints? And would you have any other recommendations, tips or references? Thank you kindly, have a nice day!
    -David O’Farrill

  • Josh January 13, 2017, 1:32 pm

    Hey James! Thanks for putting this all together. I was wondering if you ever got around to recording the measurements? I’m using your design as my first ever project at aquaponics/gardening and just want to know I’m making all the right measurements and cuts. Thanks again!

  • jeff February 6, 2017, 9:37 pm

    I am very interested in building this aquaponics system, I just getting started and just need instructions on how to build a system, I have plenty of 55 gallon drums.
    Thanks jeff

  • Toys Burger March 16, 2017, 3:33 pm

    Please provide me with a PDF of this system

  • chuck March 19, 2017, 11:49 am

    Really like your design idea! I am going to have about a 325 gallon system in my basement. Would like to use your ideas if that is ok? would you please send me the pdf of the tower build?
    Thank you much,
    Chuck Farris

    • james January 28, 2019, 4:10 pm

      Be careful of moisture build up. It might ruin your basement. There will be a lot of moisture!

  • Kyle O April 19, 2017, 1:17 pm

    Thank you for the write-up. I am looking to build my first system, and this guide looks perfect for a beginner build with a low entry price. The tower system seems little ambitious for my first build. Is it easy to build the basic setup and upgrade later? Cheers!

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