Top 12 Mistakes in Aquaponics Systems & How to Avoid them

[@growingyourgreens]

Jump to the following parts of this episode: 02:30 Ken Armstrong Introduction 03:26 How did you learn about aquaponics 05:11 Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Fish 08:16 Mistake #2: Not Following Government Regulations in Your Area 10:13 Mistake #3: Not Having Proper Filtration 16:03 Mistake #4: Not Having Proper Flow Rate 20:19 Mistake #5: Choosing the Wrong Plants 23:56 Mistake #6: Improper Aeration in Plant Troughs 26:52 Mistake #7: Improper Cycling/Harvesting of Plants 30:35 Mistake #8: Improper Management of Pests and Diseases 34:42 Mistake #9: Not having the Proper Nutrient Profile for growing crops 38:42 Mistake #10: Improper Management of Ph 42:23 Mistake #11: Not focused on the Business of Aquaponics 51:51 Mistake #12: Not Balancing Your Systems Properly 55:37 How to Avoid having Aquaponics Problems from Happening 56:37 Classes at ouroboros farms 1:00:56 How to get ContactOurosboros Farms

[@camel0147]

Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens where is the link of the ither video?

[@ayanggar]

Thanks you've just saved me

[@dvdrwsor]

He never said what he feeds the fish. I bet is something that ends up in the fish and vegetables.

[@jerriobial6312]

Thank you . I just screen shot this lol 😂

[@terryrogers7749]

Like the video is there a school closer I know you travel I live in Arkansas can you help

[@RaquelBatEl]

This video is HANDS DOWN the most informative aquaponics videos I've ever seen. Ken's wealth of knowledge in this field is so impressive and refreshing at the same time; exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for making this video!

[@Holodomor4.0]

Wow this guy really knows his stuff! It’s great to listen to an Aquaponics Professional who is so fluent and willing to share their knowledge and most importantly mistakes!

[@truth0g]

THIS IS THE GUY I WAS LOOKING FOR!!! THANK FOR THIS BRILIANT INTERVIEW!!!

[@heidigib01]

Great video, I love how transparent he is about his business. I really admire him and his business principles

[@puriaKordrostami]

Not only the best informing video on aquaponics and agriculture in general, but also from great people. I enjoyed every second.

[@antonioarcienaga2676]

Dear Ken, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and for being modest in teaching. Again, many thanks from Argentina.

[@lolitabonita08]

this guy is so nice to teach us about his business and you John thank you for finding this person...

[@greendiamondaquaponics543]

This is absolutely fantastic information that couldn't have come at a better time for our business. Although as a hobbyist aquaponic grower I knew some of these mistakes because I've made them, this interview however, goes into great detail about identifying the mistakes, explaining the root-cause(s), and then providing a solution to the problem. Absolutely wonderful interview John, and thank you Ken for sharing your expertise in this exciting form of agriculture. I will definitely be returning to this video in the future as we startup Green Diamond Farm in Washington.

[@ronmazia01]

This guy's is truly honest.. his personal character.. god bless

[@Paulzy3]

I have been studying Aquaponic for some time now, and I think you have the best video so far. Simple, to the point and easy to understand. But I need more info 1) I don't live in the state . 2) they raise a lot of tilapia and shrimp here. 3) the temperature veried from 75 in the winter to 90 in the summer. There is not big wind and the humidity go from 50 to 77%. The reining water is almost yellow. , there is very little regulations for business and it is a flat 12% of your gross sale.. electricity is fairly stable (some time interruption for 2 to 3 hours) but not to often. The water come directly from the mountain or available to purchases. Ahead of lettuce go for $0.6 , cherry tomatoes $3 for 300gr straw berry $3 for 300 gr. I run a spread sheet to see the viability and it would be just what my wife would need to survive me. At this time we live comfortably on my SS, but I am 30 years older and may have an other possible 7 years to go. Whit your experience, do you think this could be feasible?

[@great0789]

As a guy with a great running aquaponics system... I will say that this video was a great one for a starting point. Thank you for sharing! There is indeed a LOT of things that were not covered though. Proper design can make the difference between continually having to work on the system... and only having to add water occasionally and fish feed to auto feeders once a week. My system is currently over an hour from where I live. I moved a few months ago and it is neglected. I just show up once a week to check it out... checking PH every few weeks and adding water. Topping off the auto fish feeders. I knew the move was coming before hand though and have large perennials in there to keep it going for the moment. 4 Lemon tree clones, several types of herbs (also cloned), and strawberries. I made clones to bring with me once I move the system down to the new house in a few months. I have to build a new space for it. I am using high quality goldfish that look like little Koi. Not pulling out/changing fish keeps things much more stable. I plan to get a large 10 x 12 greenhouse and make a much larger system than I currently have. Aquaponics for me as a homeowner... is a great tool to have in the tool belt!!! I focus on lettuce and cloning perennial plants. in a 3'x4' bed you can clone 100 trees. Great for homesteading! I designed my system on wheels! I just put the fish into drum when it is time to move... drain the water... place the gravel beds into the tank... and wheel it into my trailer! I can be on the road with it in just an hour or two. Downside is I currently have to wait for rain to re-fill the rain barrel system I am building at the new house.... and still have to build a paver patio for the system since it weights around 2,000 lbs once filled with water.

[@gopigopalakrishnan4429]

Greetings from India. This is a brilliant video, made more attractive by the endearing and modest qualities of Ken. I truly learnt a lot and enjoyed John's cheerful presentation. Keep it up.

[@michaelreyes8525]

*@Steve LG* If you want a great aquaponics system then go here now: www.AquaSystem. club

[@robertgreen9150]

It's great to see you!! Watched years ago but found you ! Tanks-a-lot!!

[@tonycanaris6521]

This guy knows his gardening. I m pretty good but still learning.

[@muddygupps4330]

Love your informational videos. They are a lot of help. Thank you for being you!

[@yeschefwithchadkubanoff]

Great episode, thank you so much. Hugely inspirational

[@GrowFamilyNetwork]

Hoping to do something like this when I get some free time....or space to get all the materials but on a smaller scale until then traditional gardening has some cool advantages too:) good share John

[@JurassicJolts]

This is a great video. The best I have seen.

[@MrYoyoyoh]

Thank you so much for the video. I havnt gotten all the way through it but when you talked about everybody being able to walk from when youre a baby that was great haha thank you.

[@PearsonParty]

Great insight here, THANKS!!!

[@davidtope9595]

Great interview Jon!

[@christoper1930]

This is your best video yet !!!!!

[@wholecirclehomestead2529]

Great aquaponics information. Thank you for taking the time to educate others John

[@larrypardi9143]

This was a great experience. Thanks.

[@bartpowers9972]

Most excellent video thanks for doing it thank Ken for sharing his knowledge 👍👍😎

[@TheOreokat]

John, thank you for this EXCELLENT video. Incredibly detailed and informative. I've watched your various aquaponics videos highlighting different approaches and methodologies and am curious: If you were to start a new commercial aquaponics system yourself what would be the main, core components you would choose for yours? For instance would you include seed starting, vertical growing, various bed types with different vegetable options, a certain greenhouse configuration, etc.? You've seen all these systems up close and personal so your opinions will be invaluable as I begin to plan a system myself. Thanks a million!

[@namyiwade3412]

Awesome video and a lot of information, Thank you very much!!!!

[@duncanhepple3452]

Thanks man you have repared my confidence

[@jasonkmvang]

Wow. Thank you both! Tons and ton of great info here! Cheers to the future lads!

[@johntexan4165]

In hot or cold climates, couldn't you bury your lines and let the earth cool/warm the water? Of course, you'll need to be deep enough that you'll be below the frost or heat line. You'll also need to run the lines far enough to allow the earth time to cool/heat the water. Great video :)

[@bigbossadidoss8678]

The issue with geothermal is maintenance. If a water line broke it would be much harder to get to

[@johntexan4165]

@@bigbossadidoss8678 I’m referring to just air… it would be through convection . Air is drawn in and heated/cooled by the ground. Constant ambient temperate. My apologies if my comment wasn’t clear. I mention this because of a gentleman that was growing oranges in the Midwest using this very method (and a hybrid wilipini setup to assist, since he has harsh winters).

[@punkyroo]

*Aquaponics does NOT need to be as difficult as this video suggests.* I'd just like to say that aquaponics or "natural hydroponics (AKA "fishless aquaponics) can be self-regulating as well. That is really the appeal. I've had a lot of success with these systems and I don't go crazy with all this monitoring and buffering and tweaking. Maybe that is necessary in commercial setups, but it's overkill on a personal level.

[@greendiamondaquaponics543]

On a larger scale it is extremely important to have several controls in your system to increase the likelihood of success. Monitoring pH, dissolved solids, dissolved o2, is paramount to ensuring a balanced and healthy system. Even in smaller systems it is extremely important to follow the mistakes laid out in this highly informational video. One of the biggest pieces of advice was on filtration, your system may thrive for months, maybe even years w/o proper filtration, however there will be a tipping point when the solid waste then starts raising the pH and thereby cutting the nutrient uptake of your plants while also killing off the beneficial bacteria that are the true heart of your aquaponics system. This will happen even in the smallest of systems.

[@terileef3330]

Its completely different going commercially. Its all built around safety!

[@yaguarnecro]

That is a really smart way to grow tomatoes on aquaponics, love it, great vid

[@inexpertxennial6067]

Thanks for this amazing video

[@dna3930]

Thank you for information.

[@robertbeckler5058]

Interesting stuff my kids will love this one

[@aquaponicssource5005]

Getting ready to purchase setup by Tuesday.

[@Johnny_Benson]

Very informative and spot on! Great video!

[@nafsearthling3214]

Bro, I love your videos.

[@treelee2668]

😔 I want to learn practically in our farm but I am so far that I could not get able to reach there even I collect 5 years earning. Thanks for such kind of vedio which would have helped me be informative such kind of gardening with nature.

[@meesamrazvi]

great work john 👍

[@nickreno644]

Thank you for the show John and thank you for your guest although I need to let you know that superior fresh is the largest Aquaponics in the US and then you might actually want to go check out Nelson and Pade because I got my training there and they are a great couple and they would love to have you all bet! Take care buddy love you, Nick

[@andykrein3378]

Two question.. What is adjustable pump make? Also does Duckweed compete with grow bed plants for nutrients because this is a good food for the fish?

[@gregorytoddsmith9744]

Ken is awesome!!

[@alexcole8438]

Hi, Great video. I was wondering why the fish are white or pale in aquaponics systems?

[@JardinBienRegado]

Good content I've been learning a lot from your video's. I've been working on a chop and flip myself, i put a few videos of my progress. Keep making video's :).

[@admitchell1377]

thanks guys that was excellent,, amateur to pro

[@rachelrutti]

Question - Need help. I believe you said at higher densities aggressive fish like Tilapia become more docile which is what I need. Tilapia at 3 -5 gallons per fish are fighting territorial. How dense can we make them? Have multiple smaller 10-20 gallon tanks. Was thinking of putting more together more dense to see if that helps. Thoughts?

[@bigbossadidoss8678]

Gotta have good water quality to have better fish density from what I understand

[@powertrain355]

John does cool stuff. John makes me smile. Everybody should be like John.

[@julianodetoni3788]

Awesome video! Tnx a lot!

[@MikeM-co6dm]

Wow !.. this is some good info

[@Brzypoint]

Absolutely incredible video John!!! I have always had this vision of a farm like that, except on the next level, where the fish holding tanks are custom built to mimic rivers and small ponds, maybe even a waterfall or two, like in nature and designing the plant area around it with paths going through everything. Basically a fully functional eco-system like he has but designed and promoted to draw people in on tours to educate them and show people we can recreate a tranquil environment built around a sustainable eco-system that can feed a community and double as a park or place to relax in, sort of a stress release...heck, you could even put in a sound system with nature sounds...just sayin' ;-) Problem is, I don't have an extra 10 million laying around hahaha!!

[@GreenGorgeousness]

That sounds absolutely enchanting. I'll let you know when I get that 10 mill 😊

[@2busyReading]

You can always just start one day at a time. Build a small or medium pond get some friends or family to help you tell them about your ideas.

[@enriquecabrera2137]

Its not as expensive as youd think

[@brandonterry6194]

GRATITUDE 💥🐟💥

[@travisdeeth8614]

Awesome video!

[@moe42o]

I just watched that farm video and was thinking of all the fish to raise? Gross! The worst part was donating to the N.W.H. Bad business boy's! Keep up the great work. I've got one going with three comet gold fish hang on the back filter and a GG#5 seedling, growing out the top.

[@johnsonbonang9534]

U guys a the best.

[@Mgtow_Monk]

He adds air also to the water because when the lights are off / it becomes night. Plants take in oxygen and expel Carbon dioxide while during the daytime they take on Carbon Dioxide and expel Oxygen.

[@fernyblue]

Can you use the excess fish waste removed from the system be put into my compost pile?

[@jedwardoo]

Is it worth using LED and solar panels instead of just sunlight and electricity from the utility company?

[@haroldthommen2666]

Ken is way better than the other dude "like"

[@Iloveorganicgardening]

That's amazing that he has learned everything by trial and error

[@Freek314]

By amazing, you mean highly suspect? Let's be real, magicians don't give away the secret to their tricks and no-one else does, either.

[@rishib4011]

Brilliant by Ken, thank you so much. Honest, humble, knowledgeable etc etc. The other guy, the classic american quacker, thanks for arranging it, but you talk too much.

[@jasonmare33]

awesome!

[@KristosMenfes]

what about just using shiners or baitfish for low temp crops. And also farmed predatory aka beneficial insects also contain theor prey aka the bad guys if not their eggs

[@HYEpower]

I have a koi fish pond... anyway I can scoop out the poop and add lets say H202 hydrogen peroxide 3% mixed with water to make oxygenated water to put the poop in to break it down into minerals or would it be better to use mykos with the poop to break down the poop?

[@MrGrombie]

That blue pen looks like it is at home. Lol

[@armouredjester1622]

It lives in that pocket like my black pen lives in mine. I love my pen

[@bobweglin9644]

Hi John, Great Video! Will you be doing a video on Fogponics which seems like it would use much less water than hydroponics? Best wishes...

[@malekzantout5171]

I was planning to go for this business after I've seen your video I'm really afraid still complicated I wish I have in my country people are expertise like you are but unfortunately we don't if you can give me an advice I appreciate

[@martyvanord984]

John I do think that you have the best content but I just do not watch you much because one hour is a sizable chunk of time. My old boss used to continually push me to be concise. Covering a whole topic fully and in a concise manner is an art form. Your content is top quality.

[@valeriesanchez3074]

If you have sufficient dissolved oxygen levels in your water, Your plants will thrive. Won't need to worry about nitrates being too toxic as the plants will absorb it. Do a search on sodium thiosulfate. Can use it to test the dissolved oxygen levels in the water. The science behind water temperatures do affect how concentrated it will be. Also with fresh/salt water. This many gardeners pay little to no attention.

[@Theresiliantnorwegian]

What type of fish would you use in a high desert climate where it is really cold in the winter and at night but really hot in the summer?

[@farmerjhemp]

pH is important. Sandponics systems stay perfectly stable at 6.4.

[@vikashg4474]

what type of climate is best for trouts

[@robertwilkinson8115]

I want to find a way to grow BACON!

[@kkyogish]

How does pollination occur in closed room

[@reygortega3669]

is catfish good for aquaponics?

[@JhunDumsTVXj]

Wow beautiful

[@sannydondon2533]

Expexsive than hydroponics

[@brendanj1124]

throw in some ducted HPS lights over the plants that need more light, run them via solar technology, there's your problem solved with . with the crysanthos??? couldn't you make a frame out of steel, paint it with microbial proof UV protected paint, an then make hangers to support their weight structure ??? or would that not be beneficial for its flavor profile due to less stress??

[@MikeM-co6dm]

Glad you informed about choosing the right kind of fish... government regulation ... wow!!

[@NealservantofdaLordJesusChrist]

I never heard the word system used so many times in 1 hour in my life

[@jasperlambert]

Hope this guy wasn't the one who called the department of fish and wildlife on the other local business 🤔😂

[@altha-rf1et]

too many things can go wrong

[@joebenson7385]

The green leaf lettuce that is diseased looks more like pythium…water mold fungi

[@michaelwhelchel5546]

Adding dirt and potassium to tomatoes ... wouldn't that seep into aquaponics and hurt the fish?

[@djssquibbs3295]

I wanted to try a backyard AP system with Tilapia. now I won't it's too complicated ugghhh, this took the wind out of my sails. ughhhh

[@darthvader5300]

Aquaponics? Use the original aquaponics of Lake Titicaca called "chinampas" and Lake Inle called "floating garden-farm of Burma"

[@edgardoarellano7073]

What is wrong in tilapia, why it is forbidden in some area? I can’t understand.

[@Bob-yl9pm]

Because they are in California (Cali- foreign- nation). Even when there is no chance of their tilapia escaping into the wild, it's the human entrepreneurs who are the true invasive species in California! I remember back in the 70's crossing the state boarder into California. Our RV was stopped and searched for any citrus fruits! Good Grief!

[@Haydusagi]

dude would use a mic this ideo would be TV show quality.

[@marketermagic4993]

ken mcelroy-abcs of real estate tom wheelright-tax free wealth robert kiyosaki-rich dad poor dad

[@DocumentaryDoc]

What's the best fish for 10 degrees F to 95 degrees F ? XD God this is going to be hard to select the right fish.

[@surunitemiakanni-oye4346]

Ourosboros Farms closed. Filed for bankruptcy 2023. Amazed that with all the entrepreneurial zeal of maximising everything possible, they still could not make it work. Biggest mistake was not prioritising the fish raising (aquaculture) aspect of the business. Just not enough fish raised of sold - held back by the climate. You need a tropical climate to economically raise fish as a fuel for production of vegetables and other plants like rice and wheat.

[@sciologist]

What is your electric bill?

[@michaelgilmore3038]

You'll need a better looking Hat in the future 🤣

[@fishmanroly7450]

Koi fillets mmm...

[@kenarmstrong4742]

They are our ornamental fish, our other 7 tanks have rainbow trout as a food fish.

[@sprattonburnett]

Can you build a hydroponic system without the fish?

[@npc.artist]

Duck are good at producing waste to 👍🏻

[@claudematte4844]

Pretty sure the pump dont pump 75 g / min

[@mikeh.7025]

Running a business in California with BIG government is suicide.

[@stephenschubert2685]

does all that plastic leach into the plants

[@forthewagesofsinisdeath4967]

Now the real question, how to afford how to get a system of decent size without millions of dollars? And, how to market your food you are growing and how to sell it and market it?

[@Holodomor4.0]

Not by smoking crack lol

[@forthewagesofsinisdeath4967]

@@Holodomor4.0 what does that mean?

[@erinnkemp]

If you inherited money helps. For learning about selling go to The Market Gardeners channel.

[@kenarmstrong4742]

You don't need millions. Our farm cost us ~200,000 to build. We market our food to local restaurants and have completely eliminated their food wastage costs. We also sell to Michelin Starred restaurants, including a 3 star one we have been custom growing for for the past 2.5 years. Highest quality product you can find in our area.

[@greendiamondaquaponics543]

You can buy a large commercial sized system for ~$100k or you can build one yourself for significantly less. This biggest cost factor will be land. You can have a very successful and profitable aquaponic farm on 5 acres, providing the equivalent production to 100 acres of traditional agriculture depending on the crop.