# Aquaponics System > How to build and run a backyard aquaponics system: bell siphons, pumps, fish, plants and system plans. ## Site - [Home](https://aquaponics-system.com/) - **Author**: Aquaponics System - **Focus**: How to build and run a backyard aquaponics system - **About**: Build notes, calculations and growing guides for backyard aquaponics systems. - [Ask a Question](https://aquaponics-system.com/contact/) - **Phone**: +14702362870 ## Aquaponics Basics - [Aquaponics Basics](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-basics/aquaponics-basics/): Traditional dirt farming requires nutrients in the soil either added, existing or naturally renewed (river floods, composting, rain run offs, etc). - [The Reason for Aquaponics](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-basics/the-reason-for-aquaponics/): One time I asked a group of family members where meat comes from. Their joyful and dead serious response was “Wal-Mart” . ## Aquaponics Calculations - [Aquaponics Energy Costs](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/aquaponics-energy-costs/): 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... - [Battery and Solar Calculations for Aquaponics](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/battery-and-solar-calculations-for-aquaponics/): For most people, they just buy a pump that matches their pumping requirements and go from there. - [Common Inches and Millimeter Conversions](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/common-inches-and-millimeter-conversions/): 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](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/convert-between-liters-and-gallons/): 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](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/electrical-formula-for-watts-amps-volts/): 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... - [SQF Calculation of a Cylinder](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/sqf-calculation-of-a-cylinder/): Need to know how many square feet that 5 gallon bucket holds, or how many square feet that 55 gallon barrel lid holds? - [Water Volume Calculation Formula of a Cylinder](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/water-volume-calculation-formula-of-a-cylinder/): Knowing how much water your tanks hold is very important in aquaponics. Here is the formula for calculating water volume in a cylinder tank. - [Water Volume Calculation Formula of a Rectangle](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-calculations/water-volume-calculation-formula-of-a-rectangle/): 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. ## Aquaponics Construction Tips - [PVC Irrigation Tips](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-construction-tips/pvc-irrigation-tips/): I wish I would of known this on my first aquaponics system build: Start from the water source and work your way back Use enough glue to have a small bead... ## Aquaponics Laws - [General Building Codes for Aquaponics](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-laws/general-building-codes-for-aquaponics/): 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. ## Aquaponics Plants - [Calcium Deficiency in Plants](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/calcium-deficiency-in-plants/): Hook Shapes on new leaves, or distorted leaves/fruits. Growing tip may die, especially on cabbage. Blossom end rot in tomatoes. shriveled fruit. - [How to Germinate Seeds](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/seeds/how-to-germinate-seeds/): 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... - [Indoor Grow Lights](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/seeds/indoor-grow-lights/): Plants require different spectrum of light for the different phases of their growth. - [Lemon Balm](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/herbs/lemon-balm/): Lemon Balm is also known as bee balm or simply Melissa (Greek for honeybee). This wonderful herb has several uses and grows very easily. - [Lower and Raise pH in Aquaponics System](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/lower-ph-raise-ph-aquaponics-system/): 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. - [Magnesium Deficiency in Plants](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/magnesium-deficiency-in-plants/): The outer edges of older leaves might turn pale yellow instead of dark green. Deficiencies appear as interveinal discoloration on older leaves. - [Nitrogen Deficiency in Plants](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/nitrogen-deficiency-in-plants/): 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. - [Parsley](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/herbs/parsley/): Parsley is one of our plants that grew like mad in the aquaponics system. Here are some notes on caring for parsley. Parsley is easy to grow from seed. - [Phosphorus Deficiency in Plants](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/phosphorus-deficiency-in-plants/): Reddish or purple leaves and joints. Leaf tips can have brown or black spots if they are older. - [Potassium Deficiency in Plants](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/potassium-deficiency-in-plants/): Yellowing between veins of leaf (Interveinal chlorisis). Reduced flowering/fruiting. Leaf tips can look burnt or black. - [Radishes](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/vegetables/radishes/): 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. - [Sulfur Deficiency in Plants](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/plant-nutrient-deficiency/sulfur-deficiency-in-plants/): Old growth is green, but new growth is pale yellow all over. Lower fruit production. More often a problem in weather that is dry. - [USDA Hardiness Zone](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/usda-hardiness-zone/): 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... - [Which Crop is Most Valuable?](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-plants/which-crop-is-most-valuable/): If you plan on trading, or selling any of your crop you might want to figure out what has the most value. ## Aquaponics Pumps - [Geyser Pump](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-pumps/geyser-pump/): 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... - [How an Air Lift Works](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-pumps/how-an-air-lift-works/): 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... - [How to Choose a Good Aquaponics Pump](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-pumps/how-to-choose-a-good-aquaponics-pump/): 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... ## Aquaponics Systems - [500 Gallon Aquaponics System](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-systems/500-gallon-aquaponics-system/): These are the plans and design for the 4th version of the aquaponics system that we’ve made. - [55 Gallon Simple Aquaponics System](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-systems/barrel-aquaponics/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. ## Aquaponics Vocabulary - [Aquaponics Glossary: Aquaculture](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-vocabulary/aquaponics-glossary-aquaculture/): Anything that lives in the water, which is generally fish but could be prawn, crabs, turtles etc. - [Aquaponics Glossary: Aquaponics System](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-vocabulary/aquaponics-glossary-aquaponics-system/): Any series of containers that allows aquaculture (like fish or crawfish) and hydroculture (plants), usually in a low maintenance configuration is... - [Black Soldier Fly Larvae](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-vocabulary/black-soldier-fly-larvae/): The maggots of this fly compost organic waste without odor or disease transmission. - [How to Make a Bell Siphon](https://aquaponics-system.com/aquaponics-vocabulary/how-to-make-a-bell-siphon/): A bell siphon is an automatic siphon that allows you to completely fill and then drain a grow bed on a timer. ## Fish - [Channel Catfish for Aquaponics](https://aquaponics-system.com/fish/channel-catfish-for-aquaponics/): Channel Catfish, or channel cats, or their scientific name: Ictalurus Punctatus are used in traditional aquaculture throughout the midwest. - [How to Find Temperature Ranges for Aquaponics](https://aquaponics-system.com/fish/how-to-find-temperature-ranges-for-aquaponics/): 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... - [Rainbow Trout in Aquaponics](https://aquaponics-system.com/fish/trout/rainbow-trout-in-aquaponics/): Rainbow trout are related to salmons and are sometimes called salmon trout. Some species can live in sea water or fresh water. ## Homesteading - [Raising Rabbits for Meat](https://aquaponics-system.com/homesteading/rabbits/raising-rabbits-for-meat/): It’s unsettling to me that people eat meat from stores, but fail to make the connection that meat comes from animals. ## Recipes - [Chewy Banana Bars Recipe](https://aquaponics-system.com/recipes/bananas/chewy-banana-bars-recipe/): For my own reference, here is a delicious granola type bar made from bananas, nuts and cranberries. ## Timers and Autosiphons - [Alternative Autosiphon Design](https://aquaponics-system.com/timers-and-autosiphons/alternative-autosiphon-design/): 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.