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Help ideas please! Convert pool to aquaculture, build greenhouse next to it sync both aquaponicly

 
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I'm sure this can be done. I don't know where to start but yeah, the idea would be building a greenhouse next to my converted pool that will become aquaculture and link them similar to how aquaponics works. Also I figure I can stack functions like all my rain water collectors and hopefully my grey water can also be absorbed into the pool. My problem is that I don't want to mess this up. I want the system to be optimized perfectly and produce as much food as possible. PLEASE HELP, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. Also I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. This is my first post I'm very new to this website
 
steward
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Welcome to the forum!

Where do you want to start?  Make your pool into aquaculture or make the greenhouse first?

I feel a little more about what plans you have might help folks to advise you.
 
Eric Cordero
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Well, that's the thing. I would like the system to work in tandem such as aquaponics works. The more I think about it the crazier it sounds. The dream is this.. and I'm open to the idea that this might be too far fetched and willing to simplify...
                 
As of now my backyard is a normal urban layout with a few fruit trees. But the far back corner is empty and that's where I'd like to build a small living place using earthship or as close to what my city will allow me to build. Then build a greenroom on top. In front of all this I have a decent sized pool. It's a peanut shape but has a depth of 10 feet on one side and about 4 on the other. I want to create this into a aquaculture. This is all such an undertaking and I'd love to hear some supporting ideas. I live in long Beach California. I can gather dimensions of everything. I'm very optimistic about this and I hope I came asking for help at the right place. Thanks again in advance
 
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Do you want to swim in the pool as well, or convert it entirely to food production?
Basically; Do you want a full AQUAPONICS system, or do you want a SWIMMING POOL which has food plants using it as a water source.
Those are two very different infrastructure setups.
 
pollinator
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I love all things concerning water and growing things in water, but you haven't provided enough information for me to make any suggestions. Some questions I have are how big and deep the pool is, is your climate such that it will freeze in the winter? The only comment I would have right off is that I would not incorporate grey water into the system, but that is just my personal preference and not knowing for sure on how you intend to use it.
 
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A few general considerations:
* Pool Chemicals - I'd research how the chemicals used in the pool would impact growing anything. Even if you replace the water, you wanna make sure that nothing leaches from the pool liner into the water/crops/fish habitat.
* Fish Needs - I'd also research what the fish need. Do they need some sort of aerator? Food source?
* Alternative Idea - If budget is a concern, would a raft hydroponics system (with fish below) work? I'd be curious whether a separate greenhouse or perhaps adding some sort of greenhouse over the pool and a raft hydroponic system would be a better idea.

That said, if you want specific advice, we need specific information. What is your climate? Pool size? Pool orientation to the sun, your house, etc.? I would love to see some sort of map, pictures, or schematics drawn up as well. This could be as simple or as complex as you have the time for, but I am trying to visualize this system and I really can't. That said, I'd be glad to help your brainstorm.

Looks like this guy does a lot of work with natural swimming pools (adjacent area):
https://www.youtube.com/@organicpools-davidpaganbutler/videos
 
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I did a 20 x 40' pool conversion to a pond+artificial wetland ~15 years ago; no greenhouse.
I costed filling it, but conversion to a pond was cheaper given the situation, and fun.
My kids grew, and I could not stand having toads die in the in-ground pool we got when we had bought the house.

It had sheet steel walls and a shotcrete floor lined with vinyl, and plumbed with a floor drain and water return.
The walls were held up against ground pressure & freeze thaw by the water pressure (concrete pools impractical in our freeze thaw climate); so once drained I had to move quickly to avoid collapse.
I ordered a sheet of EPDM roof membrane/pond liner that got delivered by truck to near the pond; it think it was 30x60' or similar (it was something like $2000 at the time; the only big expense).
I pulled up the patio brick pool surround on 2 sites, and dug down about 1 ', over an area ~ 40% of the surface area of the 'pond' (to become artificial wetland).
I got pea gravel delivered (I did not wash the pea gravel adequately; that was a mistake, the dust provided a big pulse of initial nutrient; see below).
I used the pool pump to push the bromine treated pool water to a storm drain.
I made many cuts in the previous pool liner, because you need water and gas drainage between the new liner and the old one, or disastrous gas accumulation can lead to frightening YouTube videos of pond prolapses.
I got some large feed bags, put them on the bottom in corners to create structure, and filled them with pea gravel.
I used some patio stones to build steps and some other structure.
I got a bunch of people to help drape the EPDM down into the hole, and out over the edges, in one big sheet, over the bottom, the 'structures' and the excavated perimeter.
I refilled with rain water and tap water.
I put pea gravel on top of the EPDM over the excavated perimeter.

I used the old pool pump, on a timer & photocell, powered by solar panels, to circulate water from the pool, through the artificial wetland (there were several iterations, including using some IBC bulk carriers to act as reservoirs for a water fall into the pond, that continued flowing after dark, for awhile.

I planted various native wetland plants in the artificial marsh, and let Darwin sort out the winners.
I made planters for water lilies and started them.
I built some floating islands with landscape fabric to help shade the water and planted them with marsh plants.
I threw in some surplus bicarbonate and limestone occasionally to keep the pH up.

Most years the pond was lightly swimmable by family.
It was fascinating to watch the oscillations of nutrient allocation among marsh plants, duck weed, and algae; to see who 'won' in a given season, with nutrient deficiency indicated by yellowing.
I usually harvested duck week and filamentous algae from the pond, and vegatation from the wetland, for compost.  This pulled nutrient out the system and kept the water (usually) clear).
I got frogs & toads growing, water lilies, cattails, arrowroot, dragonflies.
It was all coming together when we moved.
The new owners found it too much hassle and filled it in.
I meant to document the process, but had too much fun doing to stop and record.
 
pollinator
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Douglas sounds like he's got this figured out: if the natural swimming pool/ artificial pond can grow water plants and algae, then it can grow vegetables if pumped through an aquaponics system in a green house. If you add fish and fish feed then that's more nutrient to grow more veggies with. Do it and we'll watch!
 
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