This summer I brought my aquaponic system outside and changed it to hydroponics to see how it would do. Well it worked out so well and we got such beautiful lettuce from it, I wanted to bring it back inside again for the winter. So this past weekend we disassembled the bottom part by removing all the water and taking out all the clay balls placing them into 5 gallon buckets to bring them inside.
Placing the system
The hardest part of bringing the system in is where to put it. So we had to strategically move around the living room yet again to make space for the 40 gallon stock tank and 29 gallon fish tank that will act as the reservoir. Plus when everything is reassembled and water is added, you are looking at over 500+ lbs of weight - not for the faint of heart homes that is for sure!
Jonathan with new lights
One of the biggest issues we had last winter with the AP system, is the lighting. There just wasn't enough. So this year we bought two lights and Jonathan mounted them together to create a 4 bulb span that can be raised and lowered over the grow bed. With exposed beams in the ceiling, it gave Jonathan a great mounting point for the light system so now it hangs perfectly over the grow bed.
System ready for operation
So here we are, grow bed is filled with hydroton, tanks have water in them, lighting is mounted, and pump is assembled and running and first nutrient liquid has been added. Now it is time to plant a few seeds and see if we can have fresh lettuce and spinach for Thanksgiving! Won't that be a treat up here in Maine!!