The first step was deciding on what type of aquaponic system would best suit us; after doing some research, a converted 275 IBC tote seemed like the best solution. When converted, the top 1/3 of the tote is the garden growing bed, and the bottom 2/3 is the fish tank. Water is pumped (on a timer or manually) from the fish tank up to the garden bed above, gently flooding the grow bed, then it slowly drains back down to the fish tank. Nutrients from the fish feed the plants, and the growing medium in the grow beds help filter the water for the fish.
There are several different species of fish you can raise in an aquaponic system. Tilapia, trout, catfish, even salmonids can be used. For a complete novice like myself, tilapia are the best choice; they're very hardy, and therefore forgiving of novice mistakes, and they can handle a wider range of water temperatures and conditions.
The next step was finding the supplies I needed. IBC totes are readily found on craigslist, around $150 each. I was very fortunate: my Dad is getting rid of a couple of these this winter, and he offered them to me. PVC pipe is available at our local hardware store for a reasonable price. We already have the power tools needed to convert the totes. Tilapia were also found locally on craigslist. I scored a great deal on a 50 gallon indoor fish tank with complete set up on craigslist (to be used to grow the tilapia), and I was able to borrow a 46 gallon tank from a friend for this winter (this tank will be used to grow the small fish to feed the tilapia).
Today I got started on the indoor tanks. I brought them inside, set them in the bath tub one at a time, and scrubbed/sanitized them to within an inch of their lives, using a light bleach solution. After they were rinsed, dried and set up downstairs, I brought all the in-tank accessories (air tubing, air stone, heater, filters, fake plants, fish nets, etc) and partially filled the bath tub with hot water and a light bleach solution, then put in all these accessories (except the filter pump) and let them soak. Then I scrubbed them individually, rinsed and let them air dry before adding them to the fish tanks.
When that was done, we loaded up the kids and headed to the Sumner fish store to price out the items I still needed: air pump, heater, gravel, plants, and of course fish.
I plan on using fancy guppies as feeder fish (small fish to raise that will be fed to the tilapia as they get bigger). I considered Platys, Mollies, and Swordtails; although they also reproduce quickly, these are each twice the size of guppies, so would take up more space in the feeder tank. With using just guppies, I can have more, much smaller, fish in the tank, which would be best for the growing tilapia. Guppies are pretty inexpensive at $2 each.
The heater, air pump, gravel, and guppies will total approximately $50. The tilapia are another $20.
The tanks have to be filled and the water regulated for about a week, then tested prior to adding fish, to make sure that it's the right balance of pH to be safe for the fish.
I did get the feeder tank filled, borrowed the heater from the tilapia tank, and got everything plugged in and running.
It all works, nothing leaks, however the filter is too strong and noisy (and doesn't seem to be adjustable), so I may have to get a smaller one. I'll give it a few days being set up, then test the water to see if it's ready for fish :)
I also added the duckweed (small floating aquatic plant that has a high protein value, and is great for fish to eat/hide under) - I will be corralling this stuff, possibly in a fish breeder net of some kind - it's absolutely everywhere, sticking to everything, and while it is pretty and useful, it's darned annoying right now.
Here's the dual tank set up before I finished the set up on the feeder tank (on the left).
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/