Episode 32 – Getting started in True Aquaponics style

WeGrowOurs - Learn to grow your own food

This week on the We Grow Ours show, Nick and Don talk with Roger of the “True Aquaponics” Facebook group. Roger started the group about a year ago due to his passion of Aquaponics. The group is a great resource to help guide you on an Aquaponics journey. As many of you know Don is also passionate about Aquaponics and own Ecopodgardens.com.

This show is about “getting started”. We want to be sure that people understand some of the basics. We don’t cover a lot of technical subjects; this is more about resources and system design basics. We cover what size your system should be, as well as media selection. Aquaponics is as much an art as it is a science. Roger and Don will share some things they have discovered in their AP journey and

while consulting with clients. The main lesson is do not start “small” thinking that it will be easy. The fact is anything less than 250-300 gallons is probably one of the hardest systems to master and control. We will talk a bit about system layout and some of the costs associated as well.

System cycling is briefly discussed; Don and Roger cycle their systems in different ways. Roger uses minnows while Don goes “Fishless”. There really is no correct way to do this and both have benefits. Fishless cycling uses added ammonia to the system to get the good bacteria going, while using minnows is a little faster, but you will most likely lose some fish during the process.

Roger works hard at keeping the group “sales” free and inviting people from all experience levels to participate. If you have question or are considering starting a system this is a true resource to have in your arsenal! For more info, ask to join the group, and don’t forget to check out EcoPodgardens.com as well!

Aquaponics by Sylvia book: Aquaponic Gardening: A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together

Small Business Shout out: Raising Canes: http://www.raisingcanes.com

We also want to remind everyone about the upcoming fund raiser (March 2015)… the “Gompers Garden” fund raiser with the
“Food Patriots” movie screening. Please get your FREE tickets. We hope to see every listener in the Phoenix area come to this great event. Donations will be accepted at the door and we are working on some fun stuff to go with the screening as well! Get your tickets here: http://wegrowours.com/foodpatriots

Please help support the show and visit our sponsors as well:
Buttout E-ciggs – The non-smoke shop: www.buttoutecigs.com
My Lavender Life – Essential oils for all! www.mylavenderlife.com
HostileHare – Meat rabbit systems and more! www.hostilehare.com
EcoPod Gardens – Aquaponic systems for all! www.ecopodgardens.com
We have room for one more!! Let us know if you are interested!

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See you next week!