Testing (COTS) Indoor Aquaponic/Hydroponic Growing Techniques
Back to the Roots Water Garden
This system is great for the absolute beginner in aquaponics and is perfect to give you all the tools to be successful at growing indoors. It sells for $79.99 USD at the following link:
https://backtotheroots.com/products/watergarden
I received mine as a gift and think they are a perfect to introduce your friends/family to the idea of growing their own food indoors.
I am using an older version of a grow light from Happy Leaf Led, it's similar to the one at the following link for ~$50:
https://www.happyleafled.com/shop/procyon-mini-4
I also use this food timer which can be set up for multiple feeds and different types of feed for $16.99 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Rusee-Automatic-Aquarium-Dispenser-Schedule/dp/B01DEPGVIC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512971210&sr=8-1&keywords=rusee+daily
Click and Grow
The system in the below picture is from the people at click and grow. These guys make their systems very easy for a person whom is not familiar with growing indoors. You can get a full system that includes lights and a basin or you can just buy the individual grow pots called (capsules). 3 capsules are $9.95 on their site. The system featured here uses the individual capsules, a timer, and a grow light. The beauty of this system is that the capsules have everything the plant needs nutrient wise all you do is add water! I would recommend this to anyone that may have a brown thumb and doesn't like to think about their plants/fish daily.
The Grow light was bought off amazon as a recommendation by Jack Spirko at http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/ he has regular reviews of items he personally uses and they are always excellent. Check this out its a great light for a great price ~$28.00 https://www.amazon.com/KINGBO-Reflector-Spectrum-Seeding-Flowering/dp/B01LYBGVRG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1484673892&sr=8-9&keywords=led+grow+lights&linkCode=sl1&tag=nimifa-20&linkId=17c44a7bd7232958f7a33c8d0fcfe936
DIY System
The system below was built all DIY using a commonly found 5 gallon jug for water coolers, 1/2" PVC, zip ties, vinyl tubing, electrical tape, aquarium pump, valve, led light, light timer, vinyl tubing, automatic fish feeder, top of a spray paint can (attached with hot glue), and pea gravel. If you love to tinker, this may be the cheapest aquaponics system you could build. You may even be able to salvage most of it from discarded items. You'll need a drill to create the holes for the zip ties to attached with the pvc and drill holes in the paint can lid to allow the water to drip trough back to the fish tank. You also need a hot glue gun to glue the spray can lid over the hole of the gavel bed on top. I pulled this one off for under $70.00.
I used the same LED system as the one for the click and grow system above.
I recommend buying a dual outlet timer as you will most likely want to expand in the future. It's incredibly fun watching your food grow each day then using it in your daily meals. Check this guy out https://www.amazon.com/Century-Heavy-Digital-Programmable-Timer/dp/B00MVF16JG/ref=sr_1_9?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1512972296&sr=1-9&keywords=light+timer
Check it out! radish sprouts and fresh basil possible year round in my indoor office Aquaponics system.
I hope you have fun trying some of these duders out, and going on your own journey of growing your own food indoors!
Let me know what you think in the comments!
Peace and Joy