How to Build and Run a Backyard Aquaponics System on Aquaponics System

55 Gallon Simple Aquaponics System

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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.

About

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aquaponics System holds build notes, calculations and growing guides for backyard aquaponics. James Fraze LLC of Wylie, Texas publishes it.

Why this site exists
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If you learn the basics and see for yourself how easy and rewarding it is to grow your own plants, you may well keep going. That’s the idea here: more aquaponics people, and more people who think about self sustainability.

Contact

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Stuck on a build, or have a question about an article? Call or text 470-236-2870, or email james@aquaponics-system.com.

Accessibility

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We want this site to be usable by everyone, including people who use a screen reader, navigate by keyboard only, or need low-vision support. Our target is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

Cookie Policy

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Aquaponics System does not use tracking or advertising cookies.

The only thing stored on your device is an optional light/dark appearance preference, kept in your browser’s local storage so the site remembers your choice. It contains no personal information and is never sent to a server. Clearing your browser storage removes it.

Privacy Policy

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Short version: Aquaponics System collects the minimum needed to answer your message and run the site. We do not sell or rent your information. The longer version is below.

Terms of Service

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

By using this site you agree to these terms.

This site is operated by James Fraze LLC, and “we” and “us” below mean that entity.

The information on this site is provided free, “as is,” with no warranty of accuracy or fitness for any purpose. It is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional or for your local building, electrical and food codes.
Prices, costs and product details described here may change without notice.
Content is for personal, non-commercial use. Trademarks and brand names mentioned remain the property of their respective owners.
We may update or remove content at any time.

500 Gallon Aquaponics System

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

These are the plans and design for the 4th version of the aquaponics system that we’ve made. It’s amazing how much is learned by simply creating aquaponics systems and testing them out.

Alternative Autosiphon Design

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I do not like how this particular aquaponics system turned out, but it was one of my first and I learned many things from it. One of those things was how to build an autosiphon.

Aquaponics Basics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Growing Vegetables in Dirt
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Traditional dirt farming requires nutrients in the soil either added, existing or naturally renewed (river floods, composting, rain run offs, etc). It usually requires considerable space, and considerable water and a LOT of work. You have to fight with nature often times to produce consistent crops. Basically this is hard work and requires knowledge, luck and patience that I simply don’t have.

Aquaponics Energy Costs

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

How much does your aquaponics system cost to operate? We can figure out the basic electricity costs by using the following simple formula:

First, you have to figure out how many watts your pumps are using, then you can enter it into the following formula to figure out how much your electricity costs are (approximately):

Aquaponics Glossary: Aquaculture

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Anything that lives in the water, which is generally fish but could be prawn, crabs, turtles etc.

In typical aquaculture, large volumes of waste water are produced and only the animal is harvested for its meat.

Aquaponics Glossary: Aquaponics System

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Aquaponics System
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Any series of containers that allows aquaculture (like fish or crawfish) and hydroculture (plants), usually in a low maintenance configuration is considered an AP system. Systems can range from small 10 gallon systems that use upside down soda bottles to grow the plants, to mid-sized bathtubs, jacuzzis, trash cans, 55 gallon barrel drums or IBC as both grow bed and fish tank. Larger commercial systems use a variety of parts, or are custom built, or use very large stock tanks. Any combination of these parts constitutes an aquaponics system.

Battery and Solar Calculations for Aquaponics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

For most people, they just buy a pump that matches their pumping requirements and go from there. There is no need to calculate how many watts, Amp Hours, or other information about the pump. < br/>

Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

BSFL (Black Soldier Fly Larvae)
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The maggots of this fly compost organic waste without odor or disease transmission. The pupae self-harvest by crawling to a high point and dropping into a collection container. The BSF larvae have excellent nutrient benefits and add many macro and micro nutrients that cannot be added any other way. A small 5 gallon bucket can produce several thousand BSF larvae a season and get rid of organic waste as the same time. BSF odors, which are not repulsive to humans, are repulsive to the common black house fly. Not to mention that they simply grow out of food scraps you would normally throw away. The larvae can also be frozen and fed to fish when it’s cooler, and there are no flies composting, or you could overwinter your colony and keep them warm enough to keep going all year round.

Calcium Deficiency in Plants

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Notes on Calcium Deficiency in Plants

Calcium is a macronutient.

Symptoms: Hook Shapes on new leaves, or distorted leaves/fruits. Growing tip may die, especially on cabbage. Blossom end rot in tomatoes. shriveled fruit. Sources: Calcium Nitrate 19% calcium, 15% nitrate from greenhouse supplier Notes: Can inhibit other nutrients. Generally not toxic to fish.

Channel Catfish for Aquaponics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Channel Catfish, or channel cats, or their scientific name: Ictalurus Punctatus are used in traditional aquaculture throughout the midwest. Catfish are also part of many stocking programs and pay to fish lake programs so there are numerous case studies and research available. This article will focus on how and why to raise and breed the best tasting catfish in aquaponics.

Chewy Banana Bars Recipe

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

For my own reference, here is a delicious granola type bar made from bananas, nuts and cranberries.

I went to a class at Gardenpool.org about bananas and they let us try these chewy banana bars. I am impressed. They were easily as good as any cookie I can remember, and far healthier.

Common Inches and Millimeter Conversions

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

People all over the world are learning about, experimenting with and building aquaponics systems. I’ve read articles that were listed as inches and millimeters for pipe fittings. This is probably a good conversion to have available.

Convert Between Liters and Gallons

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

People all over the world are learning about, experimenting with and building aquaponics systems. I’ve read articles that were listed as liters and as gallons. This is probably a good converter to have available.

Electrical Formula for Watts, Amps, Volts

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

You will often need to know how much an aquaponics sump, timer, air pump or other device uses to plan for backup power such as solar, battery, generators etc. This formula shows you how:

General Building Codes for Aquaponics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Not sure where buried water and power lines are? Most areas in the US have a dedicated team that will help you avoid breaking these lines.

Geyser Pump

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Certain air lift designs can go beyond the basic lift guidelines by using chambers and air burps to accelerate water faster than through a straight pipe and thus much higher than their submergence would normally allow.

How an Air Lift Works

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

An air lift is using air bubbles in a pipe to lift water. The deeper you start the bubbles, the more water you can lift, but the more PSI required on the air pump.

How to Choose a Good Aquaponics Pump

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The pump you choose is critical. Harbor freight sells cheap pumps, but you will be caught with a dead pump sooner or later if you use these (not to mention the lead and oil in your aquaponics system). What are some good pump choices?

How to Find Temperature Ranges for Aquaponics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

You can use the USDA Hardiness Zones to find out plants that will easily grow in your area, but finding the exact temperature ranges tells you what types of fish and aquatic life you can harvest too. Here is how to find the local temperature for your area.

How to Germinate Seeds

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Common Problems With Seed Germination
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Wilting happens when the seed does not have enough moisture and dries up.Mold,however,is the opposite of wilting.The seed has to much moisture and bacteria grows and eats the plant.

How to Make a Bell Siphon

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bell Siphon
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A bell siphon is an automatic siphon that allows you to completely fill and then drain a grow bed on a timer. The timing comes from how fast you add water into the system. Once the bed is full, it creates a siphon that drains all the way down to the bottom of the bed. At the bottom it sucks up air, breaks the siphon and the process starts all over.

Indoor Grow Lights

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Plants require different spectrum of light for the different phases of their growth.

This article is a summary of the lighting information we researched to help our seedlings.

Why Indoor Lights
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Seedlings require a temperature of about 80F to really do well. Outside currently it is about 50F-70F during the day, and drops to around 40F at night. My greenhouse isn’t completed yet, so I needed a solution to start my seedlings.

Lemon Balm

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Lemon Balm is also known as bee balm or simply Melissa (Greek for honeybee). This wonderful herb has several uses and grows very easily. The leaves release a lemon scent when crushed.

Lower and Raise pH in Aquaponics System

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

pH is critical in aquaponics. Fish and plants both need the same range of pH. Here are some notes on Lowering pH in your aquaponics system.

Adjust pH SLOWLY!
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The most important thing when adjusting pH is to do it slowly. If you lower pH too much too fast, it could stress your fish or plants and kill them. pH should be lowered over a week or more, not sooner. Murray from http://www.aquaponics.net.au says that testing pH is one of the most important things you can test and stay on top of.

Magnesium Deficiency in Plants

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Notes on Magnesium Deficiency in Plants:

Magnesium is a macronutrient.

Symptoms: The outer edges of older leaves might turn pale yellow instead of dark green. Deficiencies appear as interveinal discoloration on older leaves. There will be slow growth, and new growth might have dark spots and be yellow. Sources: Epsom Salts/Magnesium Sulfate from the grocery store Notes: Generally not toxic at higher levels to fish.

Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Notes on Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants:

Nitrogen is a macronutrient.

Symptoms: Older leaves will yellow, especially at the bottom of the plant. Stems might be yellow and spindly. Growth is slower and foliage might be light green. Sources: More fish! Urea. Notes: In an established system with fish that match your grow area, this should not be a problem. Fish waste is turned into ammonia, which turns into nitrites, then nitrates. A brand new system doesn’t have the nitrifying bacteria built up yet, but after 6-10 weeks water with urea/ammonia in it will naturally form the bacteria needed to create nitrates. Danger: Nitrogens are toxic to fish in higher levels. Your test kit will tell you how many PPM you currently have, and each fish can tolerate different levels.

Parsley

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Parsley is one of our plants that grew like mad in the aquaponics system. Here are some notes on caring for parsley.

Phosphorus Deficiency in Plants

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Notes on Phosphorus Deficiency in Plants:

Phosphorus is a macronutrient.

Symptoms: Reddish or purple leaves and joints. Leaf tips can have brown or black spots if they are older. There will also be reduced growth, fruit or seed production. Sources: If pH is around 6.5, the phosphorus in the water will be available to the plants. Bone, Greensand, crickets. Notes: Phosphorus is toxic to fish, so you should not add large quantities to an aquaponics system. PH affects how the plants can absorb phosphorus. Warning: Beware of heavy metals being added to a closed loop system. Many of the commercial fertilizers might contain other chemicals that will ruin an aquaponics system.

Potassium Deficiency in Plants

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Potassium Deficiency in Plants Notes:

Potassium (K) is a macronutrient.

Symptoms: Yellowing between veins of leaf (Interveinal chlorisis). Reduced flowering/fruiting. Leaf tips can look burnt or black. Sources: Potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide (pearl ash, potash). Notes: This will raise PH, so add Potassium slowly and test every few days. Warning: Heavy metals added to a closed loop system will ruin an aquaponics system.

PVC Irrigation Tips

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I wish I would of known this on my first aquaponics system build:

Tips for Fitting PVC with Glue
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Start from the water source and work your way back
Use primer if you are gluing
Use enough glue to have a small bead when you push them together, not a drip
Only glue what you don’t want to come apart or adjust

Common Sense PVC Tips:
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Dry fit 1/4″ deep before gluing
Remove all burrs with sandpaper to prevent clogs
inspect the insides of the pipe before you glue them together
Avoid getting dirt into the pipes as you build them. Block up the far end while you work on other peices
stuff a rag into the end of the pipe if you have to stop for the night
Plan for ways to clean out your design, it will clog eventually
Holes drilled will fit clay hydroton balls nicely – use slits instead
Do not use a wrench to tighten plastic nuts on PVC, hand tighten only
Wait 24 hours before using freshly glued pipes

PVC Irrigation and Drainage
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Sharp bends (90 degree elbows), cause resistance in your drains
A good rule of thumb for drains: use a larger drain pipe than input pipe
Larger pipes have less pressure and more volume

PVC Safety
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Use fish safe resins and glues
Snapping PVC with your bear hands is cool, until it rips your knuckles apart on a sharp edge.
Primer (acetone) melts plastic… be careful
PVC gets soft around 140 degrees, CPVC gets soft around 180 degrees
Avoid breathing PVC dust or fumes if you heat bend something

Radishes

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Since ancient times radishes have been used a poor man’s appetizer. In modern times, the radish is more commonly used as a salad garnish. This is a troublefree, easy to grow plant.

Rainbow Trout in Aquaponics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Rainbow trout are related to salmons and are sometimes called salmon trout. Some species can live in sea water or fresh water. This article explains some of the basic information needed to harvest Rainbow trout in your aquaponics system.

Raising Rabbits for Meat

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

It’s unsettling to me that people eat meat from stores, but fail to make the connection that meat comes from animals. I plan on raising rabbits for meat, as I’m not a huge meat eater. Here are my notes on breeding rabbits to eat and how it works together with aquaponics systems.

SQF Calculation of a Cylinder

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Need to know how many square feet that 5 gallon bucket holds, or how many square feet that 55 gallon barrel lid holds?

Area of a Circle
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Sulfur Deficiency in Plants

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Notes on Sulfur Deficiency in Plants:

Sulfur is a macronutrient.

Symptoms: Old growth is green, but new growth is pale yellow all over. Lower fruit production. Sources: Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) Notes: More often a problem in weather that is dry. Sulfur protects against some types of fungus. Sulfur isn’t used in germination. Sulfur helps with deterioration of the seed casing, but this does not apply to aquaponics. Embryonic roots use sulfur to grow strong. Lowers pH, which is good for peppers. Warning: Commercial fertilizers might add heavy metals, or other chemicals that will poison your fish and possibly you.

The Reason for Aquaponics

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

What is Your Reason for Aquaponics?
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One time I asked a group of family members where meat comes from. Their joyful and dead serious response was “Wal-Mart”

. Without humor I say that the most people do not make the association between our food and how it is produced. Many people are happy to eat meat, but don’t want to know where it actually comes from. I love an occasional bacon cheeseburger. Every time I eat meat I pause and have gratitude that I’m able to eat meat, and also that this animal gave it’s life for me. Aquaponics helps me (and hopefully others), to make the association with meat I eat and respect for the life that was given for me to enjoy it.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

When deciding or planning what types of fish and plants to run in your aquaponics system, the USDA Hardiness Zone tells information that is helpful to knowing what and when to plant.

Water Volume Calculation Formula of a Cylinder

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Knowing how much water your tanks hold is very important in aquaponics. Here is the formula for calculating water volume in a cylinder tank.

How to Calculate the Volume of Water in a Rectangle
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There are many commercial grow tanks or even homemade welded cylinders that you might have access to, however we are going to use the measurements of a 55 gallon barrel to demonstrate. I default to these numbers to show you the example, but you can enter any numbers you want for your specifics.

Water Volume Calculation Formula of a Rectangle

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Knowing how much water your tanks hold is very important in aquaponics. Here are the formulas for calculating water volume in a rectangle grow beds.

How to Calculate the Volume of Water in a Rectangle
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I am using a sheet of Firestone 10 X 15 Liner-45mil EPDM. I cut that in half for 2 sheets, and then build rectangle troughs or grow beds out of them. The measurements are approximately 30″ wide x 150″ long x 12″ deep. I default to these numbers to show you the example, but you can enter any numbers you want for your specifics.

Which Crop is Most Valuable?

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

If you plan on trading, or selling any of your crop you might want to figure out what has the most value. If you only intend to eat your crop, then grow whatever you like! Here are some of the crops that are worth more in the Mesa AZ area:

How to Build and Run a Backyard Aquaponics System on Aquaponics System

55 Gallon Simple Aquaponics System

About

Why this site exists #

Contact

Accessibility

Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

500 Gallon Aquaponics System

Alternative Autosiphon Design

Aquaponics Basics

Growing Vegetables in Dirt #

Aquaponics Energy Costs

Aquaponics Glossary: Aquaculture

Aquaponics Glossary: Aquaponics System

Aquaponics System #

Battery and Solar Calculations for Aquaponics

Black Soldier Fly Larvae

BSFL (Black Soldier Fly Larvae) #

Calcium Deficiency in Plants

Channel Catfish for Aquaponics

Chewy Banana Bars Recipe

Common Inches and Millimeter Conversions

Convert Between Liters and Gallons

Electrical Formula for Watts, Amps, Volts

General Building Codes for Aquaponics

Geyser Pump

How an Air Lift Works

How to Choose a Good Aquaponics Pump

How to Find Temperature Ranges for Aquaponics

How to Germinate Seeds

Common Problems With Seed Germination #

How to Make a Bell Siphon

Bell Siphon #

Indoor Grow Lights

Why Indoor Lights #

Lemon Balm

Lower and Raise pH in Aquaponics System

Adjust pH SLOWLY! #

Magnesium Deficiency in Plants

Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants

Parsley

Phosphorus Deficiency in Plants

Potassium Deficiency in Plants

PVC Irrigation Tips

Tips for Fitting PVC with Glue #

Common Sense PVC Tips: #

PVC Irrigation and Drainage #

PVC Safety #

Radishes

Rainbow Trout in Aquaponics

Raising Rabbits for Meat

SQF Calculation of a Cylinder

Area of a Circle #

Sulfur Deficiency in Plants

The Reason for Aquaponics

What is Your Reason for Aquaponics? #

USDA Hardiness Zone

Water Volume Calculation Formula of a Cylinder

How to Calculate the Volume of Water in a Rectangle #

Water Volume Calculation Formula of a Rectangle

How to Calculate the Volume of Water in a Rectangle #

Which Crop is Most Valuable?

Why this site exists
#

Growing Vegetables in Dirt
#

Aquaponics System
#

BSFL (Black Soldier Fly Larvae)
#

Common Problems With Seed Germination
#

Bell Siphon
#

Why Indoor Lights
#

Adjust pH SLOWLY!
#

Tips for Fitting PVC with Glue
#

Common Sense PVC Tips:
#

PVC Irrigation and Drainage
#

PVC Safety
#

Area of a Circle
#

What is Your Reason for Aquaponics?
#

How to Calculate the Volume of Water in a Rectangle
#

How to Calculate the Volume of Water in a Rectangle
#