492lb of Cucumbers in 4 Weeks?! Aquaponics Greenhouse Tour

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My friend Martin built an aquaponics greenhouse for the non-profit he works with, Ecolife Conservation. He's built some incredible aquaponics systems in the past, but I think this is my favorite one of his.
In fact, he harvested almost 500lb of cucumbers just a couple of weeks ago from it, and there are thousands of pounds more coming over the course of the summer.
Today, we're going through the details of his system. He's made some interesting improvements on traditional aquaponics setups which are high in nitrates but can often lack other key nutrients in high enough amounts. By aerating and filtering the solid fish waste, he's been able to extract even more nutrition from the tilapia he keeps.
The water from the aerated fish waste is filtered out to nearly clear, but with 4x the nutrient profile of the water that's typically found in an aquaponic reservoir...and more trace nutrients as well. Very clever!
IN THIS VIDEO
→ ECOLIFE Conservation, Aquaponics Innovation Center, Escondido, CA
→ Shown and designed by Martin Niwinski (mniwinski@ecolifeconservation.org)
→ ecolifeconservation/
→ Instagram: @ecolifeconservation
To volunteer to work on this system go to : www.ecolifeconservation.org/s...
For monthly or private tour info: cgoering@ecolifeconservation.org
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12 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 317

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

More on this system: ECOLIFE Conservation, Aquaponics Innovation Center, Escondido, CA Shown and designed by Martin Niwinski (mniwinski@ecolifeconservation.org) To volunteer to work on this system go to : www.ecolifeconservation.org/support/volunteer/ For monthly or private tour info: cgoering@ecolifeconservation.org facebook.com/ecolifeconservation/ Instagram: @ecolifeconservation

@kimleekingston4636 5 лет назад

This is DWC or media beds ? Looks like DWC with Dow board floating on the top. Are the roots sitting in the water, in net pots, or held in place with media...gravel, Hydroton, etc?

@werftv4580 5 лет назад

what do you mean? I get hundreds of lb of squash a year on fish.. wait.. what I do is different.. LMAO

@shawon265 5 лет назад

Can you please tell us how the solid removal works?

@jamesrmosbeyii1122 4 года назад

What's the size of the greenhouse and approximatel cost or should I just email him directly? Looking to do this on my property but I stay in Texas.

@gumballbreath3705 3 года назад

So where do the nitrates go? It's somewhere hopefully not in the fish or plants Common Sense tells me it's somewhere

@samantha.irenes 5 лет назад

This summer I'm working in an elementary school that is having the 5th graders do experiments with aquaponics! It's really cool. One kid is comparing growing strawberries in an aquaponic system versus the ground. Another kid is growing spider plants on top of a goldfish tank and comparing that to spider plants in regular water. They're really excited about it! After this video I feel like I understand it more and can talk to them about it more lol!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Love the experimentation going on!

@C3Voyage 5 лет назад

What is Martin feeding the fish and the regimen? I'm curious as to the costs, labor, and maintenance as well. A video on that and the sustainability of such a system would be great. This part seems to be missing in many aqua-vids.

@BugYall Год назад

Same

@ttvphilswifft8682 Год назад

Dang, three years go by and still no answer in the replies of this comment.

@brandongarza2267 5 лет назад

I've never seen that second stage biofilter! Really ingenious to use the solids for extra nutrients. I'd love a more see detailed video on that set up.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Will do my best to put another out!

@neetabhaskaran6818 3 года назад

How did you manage that? Clear water from fosh waste!! Brilliant. Could you share please

@Greenskies321 2 года назад

Look up “mineralization tank”. This liquid can be added to normal soil or hydro too and is a super fert lol

@tiffanyflewelling8825 2 года назад

Me too!!!

@snuugumz 4 года назад

Those tomatoes are ridiculous!! I am SO down for a micro version of this system, and thanks for featuring this!

@epicgardening 4 года назад

Stay tuned this week!

@GoGreenYes 5 лет назад

without chemical fertilizers is a future gardening solution

@fredfrond6148 5 лет назад

Such a simple system. A testament to the amount of thought that went into the design.

@tracylf5409 5 лет назад

What I LOVE is that they're using animal-waste as fertilizer. The obscene use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in mineral-less, vitamin-worthless vegetables.

@danielglidden9290 5 лет назад

Super awesome. We will need this knowledge in the future

@kenhallford9032 5 лет назад

would love to see scaled down to home garden size?

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Will do!

@mt.ziongamers5106 4 года назад

@R V HI I just saw this comment. Would you mind pointing me towards these classes or resources? I would love to design these systems. So cool.

@mt.ziongamers5106 4 года назад

@R V Awesome, thank you! Take care.

@JessSuave 3 года назад

@Matthew Cooper It's not hard. We run a similar setup in our backyard using IBC totes for the fish tanks and media beds. Check out Rob Bob here on YT.

@rositasultana3958 3 года назад

It could function for the needs of a community. Not only producing food for the body, but also for the soul.

@jephrygultiano6952 4 года назад

Oh dear, wish I have that technology to produce and consume. Someday I will have that technology and the produce I will give it away to all my neighbours and if it's more enough I will give it to those hungry in my community. Thanks Kevin, this is so inspiring and I think I will start researching for such technology. Very amazing! Wow, wow, wow! Love, love, love!

@nykalias 5 лет назад

I would love to see or get more details on that filtration system and wastewater conversion.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

I'll do another vid in the future!

@aadi2cool 5 лет назад

Yes I'm confused on how to setup something like this. Please guide somebody

@erikm9768 4 года назад

@@aadi2cool Second that!

@chuckjones4745 4 года назад

Did you create the follow up video? I'm very interested in the solids conversion.

@JyjusHomeVideos 5 лет назад

Really great to see what we can do in a garden set up. Very Informative and Inspiring one !! I have to try this in my garden !!

@jacobcreech4382 5 лет назад

Loving the tours, really interesting. Keep up the great work.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Will do!

@Aquapwn23 5 лет назад

Awesome Martin 😀!!

@wudangmtn 5 лет назад

I hope to do this also. Thanks for the inspiration.

@sandyg8794 5 лет назад

Hi Kevin! What a great setup. Congrats on your now 136K subscribers! Thank you for sharing!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Thank you so much, Sandy!

@sandiegotropicalgarden3531 5 лет назад

Awesome setup, thanks for sharing 👍

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

You're welcome!

@neemanaeemi9084 5 лет назад

That was some serious knowledge.

@TheYellowGummyBears 3 года назад

Once you're settled in your new place, definitely do a follow-up and possibly an aquaponic system!! Also, discuss the pollination process on this scale :)

@charlesd9949 5 лет назад

Aquaponics is the way to a better future, love it!

@nicolesmith3970 4 года назад

There are many factors in books on aquaponics . One place I discovered which successfully combines these is this website here AquaSystem.club it's the most incredible guide i've seen on aquaponics. Check out all the awesome information .

@CrystalFlames 5 лет назад

This is amazing! I’d love to work in a place like this.

@susanaflores1952 5 лет назад

i want to be like you too. i have fish at home... like a lot🙂 and it’s true that you can grow plants using the old water from the fish. i only plant from the pots but i see good results using the fish water. wow! that is awesome

@dream.fiiend 4 года назад

That's so cool!

@marydebbarma3864 5 лет назад

Best system ever

@barbaracarbone4658 3 года назад

That's amazing! I love it.

@kimmywhitt6112 5 лет назад

Fresh veggies/fruit and fish. Great idea!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Powerful combo

@Dooley2Shoes 4 года назад

Cool system and video. If I were to give any advice for a scaled down system, I would go hybrid if you are absolutely convinced that you need a raft system. Put a media based grow bed immediately downstream from your fish, and add some worms - they will be fine in expanded clay flood/drain . This will save your need for solids filtration at least in a backyard system. As well you could add a solids separator (Cone bottomed tank with ball valve at the drain) and compost the solids knowing that you have dirt needs too. Thanks for these very educational videos - intelligently done.

@NotPorn 5 лет назад

Amazing setup!

@anniesgardens6994 Год назад

Wow such a cool video, thanks sharing

@ppgprops 5 лет назад

Beautiful!!!

@WholeomeJem 4 года назад

Im excited to see how you can scale it to home version. Im looking forward to using this method for personal use here in Australia

@seek2find 5 лет назад

Thanks for your sweat and great video. The audio was awesome too

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Glad to hear, trying to keep the audio better!

@aquaponicscanada-noadditiv8471 3 года назад

Brilliant stuff

@robbincoronado1557 3 года назад

That’s so awesome 👏

@seandepoppe6716 5 лет назад

Wow! Those tomato sets!!! Thanks!

@shadeaquaticbreeder2914 2 года назад

This is awesome. I kinda plan to do the reverse as I breed fish for aquariums and want to grow some food as well all in a greenhouse and I can't wait to set it up.

@HomeCentsWithNell 5 лет назад

Whaaatttt? Those tomatoes are 2 1/2 months old?! Mine is like 6 inches tall.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Aquaponics grows plants FAST

@ig7002 4 года назад

Are you fertilizing and providing 8+ hours of light? They grow super fast under the right conditions.

@HeatherHasToStartSomewhere 5 лет назад

Very interesting tour!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Thanks!

@Greenskies321 2 года назад

Been there and nice setup

@MsSwitchblade13 4 года назад

This perfectly balanced system just blows everything else out of the water... Get it? Sorry I had to. But really I'm just amazed right now. 😯

@stevenstillwell-NC 5 лет назад

I will be watching for any future attempts at a scaled down aquaponic system you attempt. I am considering one on the west wall of the current greenhouse, or installing a high tunnel off the east side and doing a larger aquaponic system.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Will be doing one, stay tuned

@aquaponicssource5005 4 года назад

Thanks for explaining things

@mihaiciornei5648 5 лет назад

Love from France. ❤️

@Henrythegreat115 5 лет назад

I am really interested in this aquaponics greenhouse growing system.

@ankurmadaan6786 4 года назад

@R V please share some details on ankurmadaan100@gmail.com

@markemyshibukawa9254 5 лет назад

Can't wait to see your set up at home! Would LOVE to do the same! 😎👍

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Stay tuned!

@enlightenedhealthcareguru2575 3 года назад

This is IN.SANE. lol how awesome!!!!

@AdeolaTutuAro 5 лет назад

Am a member of ur family thanks for sharing this information

@swapnilraskar9032 5 лет назад

I was scrolling through and I stopped here since I misread thumbnail as 'how fish can grow on plants'. Good job though buddy🏅

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Technically that's also true!

@thomasenglish1 5 лет назад

Wow, great system!! Would love to see an in-depth look at your mineralization tanks/system!! Is there a video for that?

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

I can do another video when I'm up next!

@kitchengardenwithivysteve8041 5 лет назад

Hello Kevin and Martin, I have just made a tiny Pond, but think you will love it, it's Bioactive, no filters and has a simple fountain pump on Solar... uploaded my video today and your video popped up as recommended, glad it did, hit sub and liked and even added your awesome channel to my featured list, plan to watch more of you vids, they are EPIC !!!

@rachelgilbert3164 11 месяцев назад

The great thing about this system is that if it were to be implemented in a neighborhood, each neighborhood could have locally sourced food with little to no water waste. In a city like Detroit where they have food deserts and extra land parcels that have been abandoned, this could really revitalize a community

@bigonprivacy2708 Год назад

Great video Epic Gardening. You've earned a new subscription today! Interesting setup. Basically he's created an aerobic septic system for the solid waste and using the "clear" water to reintroduce those minerals & vitamins back into the tank. Am I understanding that correctly?

@b0b711 4 года назад

If you impliment electroculture in this greenhouse you may be able to reduce some of the nutrient needs whilst at the same time increasing yeild. Simplistic method is run thin grid of copper wire above the plants and apply very high voltage potential to the grid but only 1-2miliamp. This increases plant growth a huge amount.

@CaseyJayBensonwedding 5 лет назад

How to do that on a small scale would make a great video!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

It's on the list!

@Daniel-tl5wx 5 лет назад

Un grand bravo de France :)

@aladdinelafifi4597 5 лет назад

Aquariums, pvc pipes, and lights. I just found my new hobby.

@scottcomella2264 5 лет назад

Check out Tromboncino an Italian climbing summer squash. Great color, shape and taste.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

They're amazing

@kc3621 5 лет назад

Really awesome! I just read this in this months nat geo or sci american. The thing i was hoping you would do is ask why hydro tomatoes can't quite match the flavor of soil grown. Or if that is a myth and if not what kinds of things are being done to remedy the taste difference. Nice.👍👏👌

@monkeytrainer8135 Год назад

I would love to see how to adapt a system like this to a backyard (chemical-free) pond, and a home aquarium for pet fish.

@peterwong1231 Год назад

Great content Kevin. Question. I'm curious about the drop down trellising method mentioned in this video. Have you done any videos on this specific method ?

@spyverman 4 года назад

Nice and lovely, its amazing system. Is there anything to manage in pollination or similar to that process?

@doubletakedowns6287 2 года назад

would love to see how u have your solids filter set up to use as more fertilizer

@SuperOhsarah 5 лет назад

I can only imagine what it smells like in there, but this is a really cool thing!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Smelled fine actually! Lots of ventilation

@kimleekingston4636 5 лет назад

It smells like tomato vines and cucumber vines. The fish water waste does not have an odor.

@SuperOhsarah 5 лет назад

@@kimleekingston4636 that's good

@davelawson2564 5 лет назад

@@SuperOhsarah All poop smell if its not broken down by bacteria. since fish poop is in the water , it gets broken down without getting exposed to air. hence no smell. you'll get some methane but it has no smell and can get vented out with hot air going out from greenhouse

@newtonfuture9300 5 лет назад

Nice video bro.( Question ) how does he add potassium to the plants, since the water will be recycling back to the fish tank?

@michaelkindscher8418 4 года назад

scaling down is real easy i started years ago with small units for back yard city farming.Then went bigger which increases problems but can be worked out. My smallest design was 18 by 24 for apt living with solar air stone. This can produce a lot of food constantly. Was only hydro. but do aqua and hydro about 80% to 20% now keep up teaching people

@Unflushablepiss 5 лет назад

Excellent video! subbed!!! questions, whats the cost of martins system and what would a home system cost ball park figure? thanks!

@tiffanyflewelling8825 2 года назад

I want to know how you end up scaling that down also. I've been wanting to do aquaponics, but this looks like it uses everything so much more efficiently than what I've seen before.

@JardinBienRegado 4 года назад

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 :).

@dgesner54 4 года назад

Jealous! Had so much blight this year, attacking everything it could. Not to mention bugs, birds! I did use organic sprays, but I guess not enough. Your plants look so clean and healthy!

@epicgardening 4 года назад

Bah! So sorry

@j0nrages851 3 года назад

More Hydro/aquaponic content!

@maesinger1444 3 года назад

Wow that's amazing! Do you know how much energy/electricity it takes to keep the pumps and everything running?

@KM-rh1eb 5 лет назад

Whats he feed the fish?

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

A pelletized organic fish feed

@his2praise790 2 года назад

Love the video!! A good place if you

@jan-philippmarks5926 5 лет назад

Hey awesome video, its always to see great things happening with aquaponics

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

I'll do another video w/ Martin sometime soon and cover that!

@jan-philippmarks5926 5 лет назад

@@epicgardening awesome, im looking forward to this 😊

@Donna_G 5 лет назад

This is really interesting. Can you tell me what the difference is between aquaponics and hydroponics?

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

sure! Hydroponics grow plants without soil, aquaponics adds fish and uses them as the waste stream to produce nutrients for the plants

@homidigger9861 5 лет назад

Aquaponics system uses fish feces as fertilizer. Water from aquarium sending to plants, the plants absorb nutrients from the water. The plants absorb nutrients from the water, and water is very clean. Then the pump sending clean water to the aquarium. You just need food for fish and replenishes evaporated water.

@bryanst.martin7134 5 лет назад

There is a little more to it than the other commentators stated. As explained in the video there is a bio reactor (where the plastic rings he held up are) that converts the ammonia waste into nitrites first, then nitrates which the plants uptake. Based on the food you feed the fish, many of the chemicals needed to add to a Hydroponic system are already in the fish waste. Urine is the source of the ammonia, and the fish droppings take longer to break down. It seems really complicated when starting out, but like driving a car you eventually get the hang of it. Oodles of informative videos on YT. With the GSM driving weather patterns far form normal, indoor growing is going to be a necessity.

@carolparrish194 5 лет назад

The plants are beautiful Amazing setup Do you add potassium to the solution? What do you feed the fish? Do they have a special enriched diet? I think it is great that you support Wheels on Wheels and other food banks.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Often times you do have to add some potassium to the water!

@mindflow82 5 лет назад

Sulfate of potash is added

@martinniwinski7092 5 лет назад

HI Carol, I use potassium sulfate which can be used in your garden as well. Also called sulfate of potash

@AM-ft9bv 4 года назад

Is there a such thing as food grade plastic biomedia that goes in the filters?

@karenrani 5 лет назад

I’d also love to see it work for home use. Does it smell?

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

We'll do a scaled down collaboration! And no, doesn't smell!

@solotu1199 4 года назад

I would love to know if Martin is available for advice on designing a system like this . I’m currently in the process of moving from San Diego to Minnesota and could use his advice for a small home based Aquaponics commercial farm ....

@andykrein3378 3 года назад

Hi, did you do a video on Martin's filtration system? Is it a DIY system or commercially bought on? Would he be willing to share the details, please?

@joeedd639 4 года назад

Hi..amazing work even more as is non profit..im starting a small system to hav hands on experience..my question is how many cucumber plants yield that amount close to 500lbs?

@risaAflores222 5 лет назад

Could you also include a mini aquaponics set up for condos?

@kimleekingston4636 5 лет назад

A 10 gallon aquarium with goldfish and salad greens.

@shawon265 5 лет назад

I'm from a far away land and am interested in building such a system. There are other videos out there, but none of them use that good quality fish fertilizers being used. Would it be possible to share how to build this system so that I can recreate it here? Thanks in advance.

@MorganaDarkgoddess 5 лет назад

Does he have gravel at the base to hold the plants/roots? Amazing system!

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

I think it was rockwool cubes

@tttine13 2 года назад

When do you plan on putting aquaponics in your current garden?

@fukkhange 5 лет назад

How is pollination achieved in setups like this? Epic, indeed. Great video

@mindflow82 5 лет назад

The cucumbers are a self pollinating variety for greenhouses. For the tomatoes we use an electric toothbrush

@kimleekingston4636 5 лет назад

By hand using a small sable paint brush. Some growers grasp the vine and give it a shake, but I use a paint brush.

@fukkhange 5 лет назад

Gretchen Bigglesworth but do you think someone harvesting hundreds of pounds every couple of weeks hand pollinates?

@stevenstillwell-NC 5 лет назад

@@fukkhange yes, I help at a farm using caterpillar tunnels and traditional in ground planting, otherwise everything looks the same - except for the wild growth rate in aquaponics, It takes one person 30 minutes to hand pollinate, harvest, and strip leaves per 100 foot row of tomatoes. Hand pollination insures almost 100% flower to fruit, natural pollination is sometimes just 50%, so I even hand pollinate the tomatoes at my home gardens.

@stevenstillwell-NC 5 лет назад

@@kimleekingston4636 if you have an old electric tooth brush you can rest it on the flowers bracket and let it vibrate for about 15 seconds.

@Andrei-xd1yg 2 года назад

Hey there! Can we know how does he add Potassium in the system?

@cindy4175 5 лет назад

Seems to be a great system... except for the fish..!! This could have been a really good setup if the fish had had better living conditions (maybe more like an aquarium or pond set-up??). To me this looks just like the fish-equivalent of a chicken factory farm.... This video doesn't show much about the fish-part of the system, so I really hope I'm wrong about this and that it just looks bad, but usn't what it seems. Maybe you could do another video that explains more about this part of this system?? I've also seen a lot of other questions on that subject in the comments below.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

Most aquaponics systems CRAM fish in tight quarters and the water quality is relatively low. This one has much less fish per cubic foot of water and the water quality is managed much more responsibly

@mindflow82 5 лет назад

There is too much to explain about why the system is designed the way it is vs a pond or square tank in a comment here. Trust me when I say the fish are very well taken care of and the most proven aquaculture tecgniques are used. The system is designed to keep the water as clean as possible for the fish. Their health is more important than the plants.

@thz1986 5 лет назад

Did I miss it or did he not mention how many gallons his fish tank is? Wanting to build a system to feed a 15 foot bed and some strawberry towers using a 500 gallon tank but unsure if it will be sufficient.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

I forgot to ask!

@Azura.Ashton 3 года назад

I'm always curious on how you solved lighting problem. My plants don't have enough light, but I don't want to use extra electricity to solve the problem since it won't be environmental friendly

@joachimbates5370 4 года назад

Would be really cool to see the greenhouse automation side of his build. How the greenhouse temps are controlled? What is considered enough exhaust and intake space for that size greenhouse? And an interesting one, keeping pests out but allowing pollinators in?

@epicgardening 4 года назад

Check the latest vid with Martin, there is a deeper dive!

@joachimbates5370 4 года назад

I actually took a look at that first until I saw this gorgeous greenhouse. Really dig this, thanks for these videos!

@brianbudd7947 4 года назад

I can not locate the video 'a deeper dive' can u please post a link here

@edcook8874 3 года назад

@@epicgardening I'm interested in the deeper dive videos as well. Is there a link?

@jkam3507 4 года назад

Question. Would adding the EM1 microbes be an effective way to break down the fish poop i stead of using that filter type system?

@merijaydoconnor1506 9 месяцев назад

Nice system! How do the cucumbers get pollinated being inside?

@karlswanson95 6 месяцев назад

I have the same question

@jasonma7578 4 года назад

I've missed something your tank with microorganisms within the body of water are they tubifex worms, Moina, Daphnia. Aka fish food/ water fleas? If so how do keep them out of the circulation system and migrating elsewhere then disappearing? I use them for tropical fishes. Thks Jason

@pauladams1814 5 лет назад

This technology could be a real life saver considering the effects of climate change.

@downbntout 5 лет назад

Nice. My tomatoes 2' tall at six weeks, so me jealous too. Do tomatoes need bees? How does he harvest the fish, raise a net?

@mindflow82 5 лет назад

Tomatoes are pollinated with a vibrating toothbrush, this variety of cucumbers are self fertile.

@epicgardening 5 лет назад

You have to hand pollinate in a system like this for good germination - he doesn't harvest the fish

@janedoe3095 2 года назад

So how do you get potassium and other nutrients not produced by the fish to the tomatoes? If you’re adding other nutrients before it gets to the plants can that be dangerous to the fish when the water cycles back to their tank?

@jeangreenfield5993 4 года назад

What is the electricity cost of the filtration ? Do they use solar panels ? I saw this on TV in the UK on an allotment , for Britain In Bloom competition. 💚💗🐟🌱