Build a home aquaponics system for less than $200

I recently finished assembling a home made aquaponics system for less than $200, and I'm going to show you how to assemble your own. My system is modeled after Travis Hughey's Barrel-ponics system, however mine is much cheaper and more simple to assemble. For this system you will need:

Two 55 gallon barrels - $50
Water pump that can move at least 100 gal/hr - $50
Filter that can attach to water pump - Around $20
At least 50 lbs of gravel - $50
Tubing - $9
Corrugated Pipe - $6
Vegetables and Fish - Price varies (I spent $15)

Total cost: $200

Here is a video of the system assembled and functioning.



So how do we set this up?

Step 1: Acquire materials and components. I purchased the 55 gallon barrels through craigslist. The water pump, filter, tubing and corrugated pipe were from Home Depot. The gravel can be purchased at any pet store and the vegetables can be purchased at any garden store. The fish are harder to find but can be purchased from local hatcheries that are easy to find with google.

Step 2: The barrels will have to be cut. One serves as the fish tank and the other as the vegetable bed.

Step 3: Now the pump, pipe and corrugated tube can be added.

The pipe has to be cut to an appropriate length. The corrugated tube length should about match the barrel, and it should be cut in half so it can lie flat on the bottom of the barrel. Slits should be cut in the tube to allow water to flow up through it. Another pipe should exit the other side of the barrel, to channel water back into the fish tank.

With all of these components connected you will have a functional aquaponics system. All it needs now are the fish and the vegetables! I will post a follow up to this explaining how to introduce the vegetables to a hydroponic system from a soil system soon.