Build an Aquaponic Garden Unit - Dallas

I recently installed a 500 gallon, 80 sq ft super-efficient aquaponic
unit at Paul Quinn College (pics to be posted soon). This Meetup will
be used to go over the design and construction of that unit, with
hands-on training on the various steps in building it out. The same
basic design (with minor changes) can be built using one, two, three or
four totes depending on the size unit you wish to build, your energy
budget, etc. These designs will be discussed and the differences will be
explained in full. The unit at Paul Quinn utilizes four 275 gallon IBC
totes, and has four gravel grow beds and two raft sections. The unit is
simple enough to be built in a day using readily available, low cost
components.

For the 80 sq. ft. unit, a 400 watt circulation pump is controlled by
a timer and an air pump is used for aeration of the fish tank/raft
sections. A goof-proof, easy maintenance automatic drain system is used
to keep the nutrient water where it belongs when it belongs there, and
simple but precise flood controls can be adjusted to make sure that
seeds and/or seedlings planted in the unit are properly watered as well
as established plants.

Planting the unit will be demonstrated, along with pH management,
proper fish feeding techniques, supplemental mineral addition and
troubleshooting tips. A full set of plans for the 80 sq ft aquaponic
system with a complete parts list will be provided, along with a starter
supply of food grade minerals for pH control and enhanced plant growth.

A nominal $30 fee will help defray some of the costs of this meeting.

BONUS!

For those attending this meetup, a special deal will be offered for
275 gallon food-grade IBC totes (up to four totes per person). These
units usually sell for $100 on Craigslist (if you can even find food
grade totes. Beware of totes which may have been used for chemical
storage!), the deal for attendees will be $75 each plus delivery, which
will be very minimal depending on where you're coming from. I have a
large but limited supply of the totes, please RSVP early if you wish to
purchase.