Simple & Easy Home Aquaponics - Hydroponics ?

[Lazy Gardener]

My understanding is that it is cheaper, and you can alter the formulation based on the crop you are growing, it's nitrogen demands, and it's stage of maturity. I use what I use, b/c I was directed to that product as a "buy one thing to get started" option. But, moving forward, when I use this formula up, I expect to go to the master blend.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I have tried the pool noodle, and found that I did not like that AT ALL. My favorite is a 2" net pot and hydroton clay pellets. The clay pellets can be washed and re-used, as can the net pots. You can also use a plastic shoe box with an opaque lid. If you can only find clear shoe boxes, you can cut up a black plastic trash bag and line the INSIDE of the shoe box with the black plastic. The edges of the plastic can hang down a bit over the edge, and be taped in place. When you put the lid on the box, the lid will nicely hold the plastic in place. I put 5 - 6 holes in the lid, though 3 would also be a good number. With the shoe box, you will have to top off the fluid now and again. But, it is a more economical use of space.

 

[Nifty]

Lots of great info, thanks! (would love to see pics, so let me know if you need help loading them)

I assume you have some shop tools to work with.

Yup, lots of tools... and a 3D printer, so I can make most stuff

 

[Daisy]

I have dabbled a little in this too, but not with great results so far. I am not the most organised gardener and my containers dried out or were attacked by bugs. I used perlite and vermiculite and some of the containers were blown over 😣 My positioning of them was perhaps not great, my plans to cover it did not happen and they were in full afternoon sun. I did well with sprouting lettuce but it all bolted to seed very quickly. I have a pond but not yet set up for fish and the pump seems expensive. I was hoping to find an alternative to an electric pump but I just havent got there yet. I have had some minor success with growing in buckets of water but have not been able to maintain the correct nutrient level with the stuff I brought. I would have a lot to learn before attempting to do this with fish!

I wanted to try inside but was concerned about mould or disease. I am wondering about the nutrients of the food grown in water, and how much of the concentrate to use. I want to feed my house bunnies so need it to be nutritious enough to have them live on it.

 

[Nifty]

Kratky Hydroponics

I've been reading that it's basically a "set it and forget it" method of hydroponics.

 

[YourRabbitGirl]

Ok, I know this is probably a slippery slope, but I thought I'd DABBLE in this a little bit. I guess technically I already am....

A few months ago I had some green onions from the store and ended up putting them in water. I was SHOCKED at how fast they grew!!!

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So, I got to thinking it might be fun to take this to a slightly higher level. Nothing crazy, but just a fun little project.

I LOVE the idea of aquaponics (fish + plants + carbon-cycle = FOOD). I'm just worried this may be a bit more commitment than I'm ready for right now... but that depends on how much "work" it is.

Remember, I'm going from "put plants in jar with water" to something a little bit more interesting, but I can't commit to a big ol' project.

This video on basic hydroponics was helpful in making me think "yeah, I can do this"

... or maybe I just KISS and stick with putting some onions and romaine lettuce into a few cups of water.

That sounds like an amazing idea, I hope I can do the same at my house. I'm actually thinking to do a bigger one, since a have a pond at the backyanrd.

 

[Britesea]

So, I'd like to start growing lettuce in mason jars, what do I need besides the jars, seeds, foil, and the Fox Farms Grow Big? I looked on other sites, but I'm seeing lots of variation on what is needed. figured I'd ask someone here what they are doing. @Lazy Gardener ?

 

[Lazy Gardener]

If you did not want to buy the hydroton, you could use pea stones, and make your own net cup out of a 2 oz. solo cup which can be bought at the $ store. But, any media you use in the cup must be pH neutral. You would need to cut or burn lots of holes in the solo cup. Or you could use any small plastic container that would fit the mouth of the mason jar.

 

[Britesea]

There is a hydroponics store in town, and we will need to go in to cash DH's disability check so we can pay the bills (they don't direct deposit it); I think I will look there for the items I need.

 

[Medicine Woman]

Maybe I get started with mason jars and use the rainwater near the barn because we use feeder goldfish to eat the mosquito larvae. Then if it works DH might be game for helping me cut the PVC pipe and drilling holes etc.... thanks for the inspiration. I will start germinating seeds! I need some plastic cups.