Aquaponics in a Growing Dome

Eric Highfield of Santa Fe Community College describes his productive Aquaponic system inside a 26 ft Growing Dome Greenhouse.
----------------------------------------------
Join our inner circle: growingspaces....
----------------------------------------------
7 Features: growingspaces....
----------------------------------------------
Schedule a Tour: growingspaces....
----------------------------------------------
Buyers Guide: shop.growingsp...
----------------------------------------------
Get a quote: growingspaces....
----------------------------------------------
Stay Connected:
website: www.growingspaces.com
facebook: / growingspacesgreenhouses
instagram: / growing_spaces
tiktok: / growingspaces
pinterest: / growingspacesgreenhouses
----------------------------------------------
#growingdome #growingspaces #greenhousekit #yearroundgardening #growyourown #growingfood #geodesicgreenhouses #greenhouse #greenhousetour #desertgreenhouse #wintergreenhouse #youtubefamily #youtube #love #fyp #explorepage #backyardgreenhouse #backyardgardening #homesteadgreenhouse #largegreenhouse #schoolgreenhouse #communitygarden #aquaponicsystem #aquaponicssystem

[@Hermboldt]

How could you not enjoy this video. The man has a clear passion and is very educated about what his does. Very nice video. Very good detail in explanation!

[@beamerUSA]

No. I disagree. It has to be very simple for the masses to adapt this.

[@thandoc3934]

i love this....very nice explanation

[@ExtemporeMuzzzz]

I watched this before still enjoying video after a while.

[@demaarhaashaalaahtmoneetaa5369]

This video is AWESOME and the guy is such a great teacher!! The girl asked really insightful questions too. Tysm for this content. 😊

[@elMochileroDesaparecido]

This is the most informative and concise aquaponics video I've ever seen. Some of the material might seem too technical, but this is the stuff that people who value planning want to know. Actually he kept it simple.

[@bobchoquette]

I like this guy. His delivery shows his passion for his subject. Kudos, I hope you know how appreciative most of us are for your generosity in sharing

[@BarryMDHo]

Eric Highfield is the embodiment of exactly what humanity should be about. Broad and comprehensive academic knowledge, combined with passion, ingenuity, and practical application for a valuable function, being healthful and sustainable food production. A true inspiration! Great video and interview questions as well! 😉👍

[@josdammo577]

In wanted to build an aquaponics system but after watching this I’m not so sure I can do it. This is the most explained video on aquaponics I have come across.

[@ecoislands1540]

This is a research grade system, the simpler system towards the end in the indoor area is very straight forward. It can be done even easier than that, so give it a shot and don't be afraid to get some water on the floor =).

[@spencerduhbarrett]

One of the better Aquaponic's video's out there, thanks for the info

[@retroaudiomumbai3045]

Eric is an amazing guy. He is so cool also. I like his demeanor. Of course he can run any aquaponic system that man can build!!

[@cuznerdexter]

Discovered this video randomly looking at geodesic domes. This is so informative and inspiring that I am going to use this when building my off grid system.

[@aquaponicssource5005]

I'm excited to get started but I have to say that this video helped me calm most of my anxieties

[@randyc750]

She asks some really good questions. Smart young lady.

[@davidtope9595]

Great video and great questions from the interviewer!

[@Aidass86]

The best video on aquaponics I ever seen, thank you so much, pleasure to watch and learn!

[@mark10601]

Really knowledgeable guy

[@jenex0513]

Very informative, clearly explained with a real passion for aquaponic's, thank you.

[@shirleygq2566]

There are many components to learning aquaponics. One resource I found that succeeds in merging these is the Keiths Ponics Site (google it if you're interested) definately the most incredible info i've seen. look at this incredible resource.

[@johnpelitidis6297]

Outstanding Presenter and Questioner... Thank you both for sharing.

[@Hiedalle]

the Ratio of Information:Time in this video is realy high compared to the mass of other aquaponics videos. Well done. one question remains: at somewhat 44:00 they discuss why leafy greens are easier to grow since you have a constant use of nutrients rather than a different ne whit flowering plants. I was wondering : cant you grow eg tomatos in different lifestages in order to have a constant nutrient consumtion?

[@NickolasHinderer]

i think he may have explained that you can but you would have to subsidize the extra nutrients they require

[@Kooma4Yew1600]

Super bummed to find out Growstones stopped production in 2019😔😔😔 i think you can still buy warehoused products 2021 though.

[@gbangerau]

I once put a shrimp in the bottom part of my aquarium cannister filter next to the mechanical filter medium. When I pulled it out it was massive.

[@dala109]

I got my 10x12 greenhouse set up...getting some IBC totes next month!! I CAN'T WAIT!

[@TheMityquin]

Incredibly interesting. This man should post his classes online.

[@SerenaPeacock]

Love this! I look forward to our new greenhouse adventure! Thank you.

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

Have you heard of a Trompe? You could use a bunch of Trompe's in series for all your air needs? Could use just one pump for the entire system. also should have a structured water device like a Dan Winter or Clayton model. Also it makes a difference if the plant tanks are grounded. ( as in the documentary Grounded ) nice system!

[@rogeliochavez1263]

Excellent excellent interview. I am in Arizona and am planning a system like this and all of the questions are covered. Thank you so much.

[@jlawson4262]

great video,,iv'e had my little aquaphonic system going for 2 years now and I love it,,,i hope soon to build a larger system and really start making a dent in the grocery bill,

[@mrbowers5815]

How is going? Must be 7 years old now? Have you built a bigger one?

[@TheRealJoga]

Is there a video on how you made that pipe in the middle of the aquarium you showed at the end?.. Great vid and thank you for the knowledge.

[@cyndiharrington1751]

Thank You for you Wisdom..Carp are edible...tasty white fish..just a few more bones but can get very BIG

[@carolynstuckey3251]

Sorry friend but cucumbers grow extremely well in Aquaponics systems I got so tiered of picking cucumbers that I puled the plant up after 6 months they just would not quit

[@natureboy9113]

Mr. Parsons, great video. You answered a lot of general questions and gave a lot of ideas. Thank you and Best of luck!!!

[@ACheshireCat2001]

Any idea on the total power input for the air-blower, water movement, any lighting, or any other power usage involved in the process... the possibility of solar powering the whole system would require what power levels?

[@deemanrt]

This is a super cool video. Excellent interview questions and answers. Staggering levels of data so I saved to favorites and will watch several times. Would be great to know where the necessary building materials are generally obtained. Thank you for a great video!

[@Interglacial_optimist]

But the purpose of a dome is to grow orange, fig or banana trees. Do aquaponic plants ever get taller than one foot?

[@chrisdixonstudios]

Hi, great system! I wonder if you could use the air pump to bubble return water uprights and avoid mechanical pump? I would love this system on my small agricultural property in Florida.

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

A LOT of people choose to do this. You can learn more about it in our facebook group facebook.com/groups/growing.dome.enthusiasts/

[@Saph67]

The air blower is situated on the north side of the dome. Why not put it in the most sunny place in order to blow warm air through the bubble stones into the system using for example a passive air heater? Would certainly help reducing energy cost, right?

[@jobamiolemen1977]

Thanks for your documentary. There are still some technicalities I need to get right, especially from the point of the clarifier. Anyway to learn in more details.

[@bradsimpson8724]

Clarifiers are pretty easy; you just need to slow/disrupt the flow of your water enough to allow heavier solid matter to settle out on the bottom. In this system, the central baffle in the barrel delineates the water flow, as well as provides a physical disruption, to allow solid matter to sink to the bottom. Your discharge line(where the flow continues through the system) needs to be located in such a manner that it sits above the typical depth of settled solids, and large enough that it doesn't easily clog while you calibrate your flow through the chamber.

[@cheechchickens1854]

Is there a diagram of this exact system? I'm trying to take some key parts of the system and apply it to my own but can't see how it's all completely plumbed.

[@bodhisfattva7462]

odd that they are not using a worm bed for their main system to filter the solid waste and provide more nutrients to the plant beds. I would imagine that would save them even more water and provide a more nutrient rich water while removing the need to purge the system multiple times a day.

[@dkroen17]

Here's a link to the document he refers to from SRAC - www2.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/454fs.PDF

[@arnielyoutub]

Thanks for the link.

[@arnielyoutub]

Thanks for the link.

[@PaddyNinja]

Thanks for this dkroen. ♥

[@sirkitry101]

Above link gave a 404 (27th April 2020) but found it at cals.arizona.edu/azaqua/extension/Classroom/SRAC/454fs.pdf (Clicking the link starts a PDF download)

[@Trendsetic]

Smart guy. I was thinking of a hoop house, but after seeing this...I'm thinking a Buckydome might work better. Now I have to find a regenerative air blower. Hopefully they aren't too expensive. I am thinking of doing an ebb and flow but free flowing grow bed. would that oxingate my small grow bed? I have 500 gal tank and a 3 x 7' grow bed.

[@albonyo]

this is a bucky dome

[@zerogi279]

Very awesome

[@SerenaPeacock]

If I used an old bathtub for the fish and a tower garden set on top, how could I get rid of the solids? Or would I have to add other tubs before it went through the tower garden....?

[@peterah7957]

So interesting I enjoyed this.

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rebuildthegrove4762]

This guy is awesome!

[@craigbutler8943]

Can you clarify why the high densities of fish and plants necessitates the first tanks being "anaerobic?" I don't quite understand the purpose of "de-nitrification." (5:00)

[@tRiPsOvAdAmO0n]

Yup I built that!!! Along with the whole class!! Eric is a bad ass.

[@kevsworldbean799]

Well spoken... very knowledgeable

[@kongfuzi1644]

on your mini system at the end of the show, you mentioned gravity but isn't the water traveling upward from the bottom of the aquarium to the first media bed? are the two big fish tanks similarly built as the aquarium - with a stand pipe?

[@albonyo]

what of strawberries? Id love to do it aquaponically. what are the implications on nutrient requirement

[@jamesyarrington218]

sinapor uses a pipe with a electric wire in a peace about 4 foot long to speed up the change to nitrate faster

[@misguidedspearo6974]

Great video. Not overly scientific and very easy to understand. Thank you. By the way, that lady seems rather uncomfortable with eye contact. Did they go out for a drink ? I hope they did :)

[@DavidKowalskiapollocoyuz]

Well articulated. Is anyone researching these systems in a vacuum?

[@yjfoo23]

Do you dip your plant roots in trichoderman solution before you plant them in grow beds?

[@williamantonio2104]

To increase temp at 80 especially in winter by using water pumps, heat elements, and heat exchanger will be costly on energy bills. Can solar energy be applied to run the above electrics?

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

William, Yes, solar can be used to power and heat an aquaponic system. It would require a combination of PV and vacuum tube solar thermal water heater panels. Solar is only as good as your gain, though. If you don't have solar gain, you can't rely on solar power alone. Something to keep in mind. If it is cloudy, you won't get the energy or heat needed to run the system. Many overcome this by over-sizing their PV solar system and battery bank and in the case of solar thermal, using an on-demand natural gas or propane water heater to supplement on those cloudy days.

[@carlbaca7873]

Excellent. I would like to learn more about the Santa Fe program curriculum schedule etc. Is there a counselor or contact you can provide? Thanks

[@ExtemporeMuzzzz]

So much good information have to pause and continue after little break :D

[@davecannabis]

beauty im gonna copy this video

[@bartfart3847]

thumbs up for your name

[@mindwarp5318]

I am curious as to the difference between the floating beds and the concept of using gravel beds. Do you have to select plants that are less prone to root rot? How difficult is that? Have you used gravel beds at all? I have sen some systems use a combination of both.

[@markho5627]

Nelson, it's not easy to explain. Basically, floating beds are easy to setup, clean, and cheaper. Usually are for leafy greens like lettuce. But it's only used as a bio filter, and require air (extra electricity) Gravel beds cost more because of extra media, like gravel or clay balls. It is harder to setup because it requires a siphon or drain system. It is both a bio (plants) and mechanical (gravel) filter as bacteria and worms will naturally develop. Cleaning is more messy because of the waste. But it does not require extra air, as it's a drain & flood system. Hope this help.

[@edmondenterprisesgrouphold3782]

Very nice video. You seem to be the go to guy for future questions on my project what are your fees

[@warwickmark]

Thank you! What a wealth of information. Very helpful.

[@thegreenviking1422]

great video with great information. thx for sharing

[@PaddyNinja]

Where do you source you water sir? Is it filtered in any way? Many thanks for posting this video "Aquaponics in Growing Dome" it was very helpful.

[@saulthompson6613]

How do you balance nutrient levels when substantial amounts of plants/fish are introduced/harvested?

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

Partial water changes in the case of high feeding ratios and fish densities. Use this water for outdoor landscaping. If you have too many plants, you simply supplement with nutrients as needed. Kelp meal concentrate is safe to use.

[@edsemaj]

really interested as well.....great video and excellent info

[@ericswanson998]

seems very interesting but my question is, what is this fish feed made of? a lot of fish feed is either corn based or from unethical fishing practices. is there a way to have this system with using corn based feed or without hurting other ecosystems?

[@leifcatt]

+Eric Swanson Soylent green fish food is PEOPLE!!!!!

[@johnmorrishowelliii5889]

WOW - thank you so much - i hope to flatter you Sir

[@dalecarpenter8828]

If you want to test it build one at higher laditudes ?

[@johnyanthan8537]

Do the floating growing boards sink and rise with the inflow and outflow of water, or is the water at constant level in the growing pens/tub? Grateful if someone would enlighten.

[@chukwow5738]

Floating beds have a constant level.

[@kellykoch1113]

Where can I buy grow stones

[@Matjenge]

very clear explanation more importen thinks in personnaly added my knowladgeabout that. specialy during retired do nothinks

[@richardmiller6930]

Nice system, when you crop the lettuce ect, what do you do with the net pots at harvest time, are you able to reuse them or are they too damaged by the roots of the plant? Given the expected sales value of a lettuce, the cost of the net pot seems to be a high proportion of the total costs per plant if you cannot reprocess the net pots?

[@leifcatt]

+Richard Miller You can reuse netpots. I cut the roots off right at the base of the pot. Then it only takes a little wiggle and a tug and the pot is empty.

[@jakemcmillian]

Choose a larger net pot if you plan to let your crop develop large roots. The 3" net pots shown in the video are not suitable for a large bush, but you can find net pots as large as 10" to support very large plants. You may still need to carefully cut out the roots at harvest to save the net pot.

[@grahamphuvanatnaranubala2391]

This video was posted 6 yrs ago. Are there any update? I am interest in growing freshwater prawns. Eric mentioned, that he have had prawns in Aquaponic... would he or someone could expand more on this subject? Secondly, Does the this particular system are still operatonal? if so, do you still give tour? Thank you in advance.

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

Hello Graham, Growing Spaces manufactures the dome greenhouse that this aquaponic system was installed in. We don't specialize in aquaponics, so we interviewed Eric to provide our customers with helpful information in regards to aquaponics. For the questions you are asking, you should reach out to the Santa Fe Community College. The college owns the dome and their students maintain and manage the system. Eric graduated several years ago, so they probably have a new student or group of students running the operation.

[@grahamphuvanatnaranubala2391]

@@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses Thank you, I am reaching out to Eric via Link-in. He is now an independance consultant in Ohio. Hopefully, he might be answer my questions. I recieve some info from Jay Garner. and we are looking thru them. On your 42 foot dome, how big is the pool?

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

​@@grahamphuvanatnaranubala2391 That is Great news! The pond sizes are listed on our Frequently Asked Questions page: growingspaces.com/greenhouse-FAQ/ The 42' Growing Dome pond holds approximately 3,200 gallons of water.

[@dustinkrejci6142]

This is big brain Guy and system setup.

[@MattWho777]

Great Job Carl

[@15209091]

dont the shrimp produce solid waste as well?

[@ProAudioMasteringC]

If you have to feed the fish constantly you might as well keep it a recirculating hydroponic system and feed the plants, one less thing to worry about.

[@RichieHariuchi]

WOW!!! Go Eric!!

[@toptobottom247]

So 2 additional things need to happen to be truly efficient. They need to switch most of the plants to vertical farming to increase the volume and set up a solar generation system using a battery system to power the system for free. An estimated $30,000 investment would pay for itself in 2 years or less if you sold the vegetables.

[@chichiudaku1805]

can u feed the talapia veggies

[@domingospinto7895]

How the degassing tank work?

[@rolm7877]

sure ,,, and what kinf of food you feeding fish ?

[@charleswoodall6478]

thank you very informative

[@jlaneshepard7135]

Does the aquaponics system make for a super stinky greenhouse?

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

It does if you let the fish die or don't ventilate enough ahahaha

[@dkroen17]

You seem to have a very fast grow period of the fish. Are they genetically modified in any way?

[@leifcatt]

+dkroen17 NO, they are chosen because of their fast growth rate. Other systems I've seen use fresh water perch and catfish but the growth rates are slower so the harvest is less. On the other side, perch and catfish do not need the water to be as warm.

[@R-K61]

What a great video.

[@ecoislands1540]

Easter Eggs at 1:00:47!!!

[@percybrown9191]

It would seem that an interviewer would speak through a microphone so we could get the questions?

[@jigold22571]

Fabulous

[@torjones1701]

The Dr's name is Rakocy if you're trying to look him up... his web site: theaquaponicsdoctors.com/index.php

[@dudelarson]

This is awesome. Thanks!

[@MAnnielow]

you are mistaken you know at the pricing of Basil compared to the fish. The fish is heavier while the Basil is much lighter. So in the end, the fish fetches more money by weight than the Basil. It'ds like asking, which is heavier, a kilo of cotton or a kilo of iron.

[@arnielyoutub]

a kilo of cotton is very expensive than a kilo of iron, you know?

[@r3b1ru5]

Hannah Daniel well you're right if you compared within its weights and quantity, but quality and market price are different

[@brandonsalyers2869]

I would recommend adding a growing space for producing Duck Weed which in theory should provide the tilapia with food which is good for both fingerlings to adults. I also seen a video where an individual saved the food by putting the excess into ice cube trays and freezing them in water. Not an expert just would remove an input.

[@CatherineMagee2882]

AWESOME VIDEO !! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@leakyassassin8874]

I don't see any registration marks that allows you to use the FBI "anti-piracy" logos?....

[@oldshield]

your fresh watere shrimp? Do you mean gamarus?

[@jerrodhannah285]

Where did you guys get your dome at?

[@GrowingSpacesGreenhouses]

growingspaces.com/

[@chrisakadonni]

I've been wondering how's the smell of the system after a year of usage

[@bradsimpson8724]

It's a test bed looked after by a lot of people, so they're likely regularly cleaned, and they look like they're growing basil, which smells awesome. I bet that greenhouse is a nice place to be.

[@jakemcmillian]

My system has been running for 9 years and it still smells great. The water is always moving, so it smells fresh. The only time it stinks is when a fish dies, but the smell is gone within a day.

[@musamuhammad5850]

thanks sharing.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

Camera work could have been a little better, but great info content. 👍

[@gary.richardson]

Thanks for the share, this is so awesome and inspirational!

[@Gazzasore]

Is your Fish Feed Organic