Design Your Own Backyard Aquaponics System
Every backyard is different.
Every climate is different.
Every family has different goals.
So why do so many aquaponics courses expect everyone to build exactly the same system?
After more than twenty years building, teaching and troubleshooting backyard aquaponics systems, I've learnt something surprisingly simple.
There isn't one perfect design.
There is only the design that's right for you.
That's exactly what this course will help you discover.
Rather than asking you to copy somebody else's aquaponics system, I'll teach you the principles behind successful backyard aquaponics so you can confidently make your own decisions.
You'll understand why different system designs exist.
Why one approach works better than another.
How to avoid expensive mistakes before they happen.
And, most importantly, how to build a backyard aquaponics system that suits your own space, budget and lifestyle.
Because when you understand why something works, you're no longer relying on guesswork or internet opinions.
You're making informed decisions with confidence
Self-paced online learning
Lifetime access
Learn anywhere, anytime
Is This Course Right For You?
This course has been created for people who want more than a set of instructions.
It's for people who want to understand how successful backyard aquaponics systems work so they can confidently make their own decisions.
If that sounds like you, you're in the right place.
I Want to Build My Own System
I don't want to copy someone else's design.
I want to understand enough to build something that suits my own home.
I Want to Stop Guessing
I'm tired of conflicting advice online and want practical information that actually makes sense.
I Want to Understand Why
Don't just tell me what to do.
Help me understand why it matters so I can avoid making the same mistakes.
I Want Confidence
I want to know that the decisions I'm making are based on understanding, not hope.
This Course Isn't About Copying My System
One of the biggest misconceptions about aquaponics is that success comes from copying somebody else's design.
It doesn't.
A system that works beautifully in one backyard may not be the right choice for another.
Different climates.
Different families.
Different budgets.
Different goals.
That's why this course doesn't teach you to build my aquaponics system.
It teaches you how to understand the principles behind successful backyard aquaponics so you can build the system that's right for your home.
Along the way you'll compare different growing methods, filtration approaches, layouts, plumbing options and construction ideas.
You'll see real examples being built.
You'll understand why they work.
You'll also understand when a different approach might be the better choice.
By the end of the course, you won't simply know how I build aquaponics.
You'll understand enough to confidently design your own.
Design to your families needs, not someone elses
We all have different needs, I grow silver perch but I don't eat them
From My 20 Years of Practical Aquaponics
Real Learning Creates Independence
One of the greatest compliments I can receive isn't hearing that someone successfully copied one of my systems.
It's receiving an email months later saying:
"I finally understand why aquaponics works. I was able to design my own system because I understood the principles, not just the instructions."
That's always been my goal.
I don't want you to become dependent on me.
I want to help you become confident enough that one day, you won't need me at all.
Because that's what good teaching should do.
Twenty years of building, testing and refining simple backyard aquaponics systems.
Why I Created This Course
When I first started learning aquaponics, I did what most beginners do.
I watched videos.
Read articles.
Listened to everyone's opinions.
The problem was that every person seemed to have a different answer.
One person insisted a particular design was the only way to succeed.
Someone else recommended completely different plumbing.
Another suggested different fish, different filtration or different materials.
The more I learnt, the more confusing aquaponics became.
Eventually my first system failed.
Not because aquaponics was too difficult.
Because I didn't know what I didn't know.
That experience changed everything.
Instead of searching for shortcuts, I went back and learnt the science behind healthy aquatic ecosystems through formal study, while continuing to build and improve my own backyard systems.
Little by little, everything started making sense.
Not because I'd found the perfect design.
Because I'd finally understood the principles.
Why I Teach This Way
People often ask why this course contains so much information.
The answer is actually very simple.
Because I know what's waiting for you.
Over the years I've answered the same beginner questions hundreds of times.
I've watched people become overwhelmed because nobody explained the basics.
I've seen beginners spend money replacing equipment that wasn't actually the problem.
I've watched people give up, not because aquaponics was too difficult, but because they didn't understand why something had happened.
I never wanted to create another course that answered today's question while quietly leaving tomorrow's unanswered.
So I built the course I wish had existed when I first started.
One that explains the fundamentals.
Answers the questions beginners naturally ask.
And gives you the understanding to make your own decisions with confidence.
If that means the course contains more lessons than many others, then I'm perfectly happy with that.
Because every lesson answers a question that somebody genuinely needed answered.
Learn the Principles First. Build with Confidence Second.
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to learn everything at once.
You start researching pumps.
Then someone tells you to look at fish.
Next it's water chemistry.
Then plumbing.
Then filtration.
Before long, you're trying to solve problems you don't even understand yet.
It becomes overwhelming.
This course has been designed differently.
Instead of throwing information at you, each lesson builds on the one before it.
You'll learn the fundamentals first, then gradually build your understanding as your confidence grows.
By the time you're ready to make an important decision about your own system, you'll already understand why that decision matters.
That simple change makes learning aquaponics feel much less confusing and much more enjoyable.
Every Question Eventually Gets Answered
Over the years I've noticed something interesting.
Learning aquaponics isn't difficult because there are too many concepts.
It's difficult because every answer creates three new questions.
You finally understand filtration.
Now you're wondering which pump you need.
Once you've chosen the pump, you start thinking about plumbing.
Then someone mentions dissolved oxygen.
Next it's pH.
Then iron.
Then fish stocking rates.
Then whether gravel really matters.
Before long, you're jumping between YouTube videos, Facebook groups and online forums trying to piece everything together.
I've been there.
That's why this course has been carefully structured around the questions beginners naturally ask as they progress.
The answers arrive when you need them.
Not all at once.
Not hidden away for another course.
Not left for you to figure out through trial and error.
Simply explained, one step at a time.
From My 20 Years of Practical Aquaponics
Built Around Real Beginner Questions
This course wasn't created by sitting down and deciding what I wanted to teach.
It was built from years of answering the same questions over and over again.
Questions from workshops.
Questions from emails.
Questions from students.
Questions from Facebook groups.
Questions I asked myself when my own first system failed.
Rather than leaving those answers scattered across the internet, I've brought them together into one structured learning journey.
So instead of wondering what to learn next, you can simply keep moving forward with confidence.
Every lesson exists because somebody genuinely needed that answer.
Twenty years of building, testing and refining simple backyard aquaponics systems.
Course Curriculum
Rather than teaching one design from beginning to end, this course helps you understand the principles behind successful backyard aquaponics systems.
As your knowledge grows, you'll begin seeing how all the pieces fit together.
Planning Before You Build
Before buying a single component, you'll learn how to think through your own project.
Topics include:
Choosing the right location.
Understanding your available space.
Considering your climate.
Planning around your family's needs.
Working out realistic running costs.
Selecting suitable materials.
Because good aquaponics begins long before the first hole is drilled.
Understanding the Ecosystem
Discover why successful aquaponics systems rely on balance rather than complicated equipment.
You'll learn about:
Fish health.
Beneficial bacteria.
Biological and mechanical filtration.
Cycling.
Water movement.
Oxygen.
Plant nutrition.
Instead of memorising information, you'll understand how each part supports the others
Choosing the Right Design
No single aquaponics system suits everyone.
That's why you'll compare different approaches including:
Media grow beds.
NFT systems.
Deep Water Culture.
Towers.
Water movement.
Aeroponics.
By understanding the strengths and limitations of each, you'll be able to choose the design that best fits your own goals.
Building with Confidence
Once you've planned your system, you'll watch practical demonstrations showing different backyard aquaponics builds from start to finish.
You'll see real decisions being made throughout the construction process, helping you understand why different solutions are chosen for different situations.
Rather than copying one build exactly, you'll begin recognising the principles that apply across all successful systems.
Water Quality Made Simple
Many beginners find water quality intimidating.
It doesn't need to be.
This section explains the purpose behind each water test, why values change over time and how understanding your water helps prevent problems before they become serious.
You'll finally understand what all those test results are actually telling you.
Fish, Plants and Long-Term Success
Building the system is only the beginning.
You'll also learn how to:
Choose suitable fish.
Grow vegetables your family actually enjoys eating.
Recognise common deficiencies.
Maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Care for your system through changing seasons.
Because the goal isn't simply to build an aquaponics system.
The goal is to enjoy growing healthy food for many years to come.
You're Not Just Learning How to Build One System
By the end of this course, you'll have watched dozens of practical demonstrations covering real backyard aquaponics systems, construction techniques and problem-solving ideas.
More importantly, you'll understand the thinking behind those decisions.
You'll know why one grower chooses a media bed while another uses NFT.
Why different plumbing layouts exist.
Why filtration changes from one design to another.
Why some materials work well in aquaponics while others should be avoided.
That understanding gives you something far more valuable than a single set of instructions.
It gives you the confidence to continue learning long after the course has finished.
Because every future project, every upgrade and every new idea will be built on principles you already understand.
You won't need to copy someone else's system.
You'll understand enough to create one that's uniquely yours.
Designed to Support You Beyond the Build
Building your aquaponics system is only the beginning.
Once the water starts flowing and the fish arrive, you'll naturally have new questions.
Is my water quality normal?
Why are my plants changing colour?
How do I recognise common fish health problems?
Am I using the right tool for this job?
These aren't signs that you're doing something wrong.
They're simply part of learning.
That's why I've included additional resources designed to support you beyond the build itself.
Not because you need to know everything before you begin.
But because I want you to have the confidence of knowing the answers are already there when you need them.
My goal has never been to help you build one aquaponics system.
It's to help you become a confident backyard aquaponics grower.
Included With Your Course
These resources have been included because they answer the questions that naturally come after you've built your system.
They're designed to help you understand what's happening inside your aquaponics ecosystem, build confidence with practical skills and give you ongoing support as your experience grows.
I haven't included them to make the course look bigger.
I've included them because I genuinely believe they'll help you become a more confident backyard aquaponics grower.
Understanding Water Quality & Fish Health
Healthy fish and healthy plants both depend on healthy water.
This companion course explains what your water tests are actually telling you, how water quality changes over time and how to recognise common fish health problems before they become serious.
Instead of simply memorising numbers, you'll understand what they mean and how they relate to the health of your entire aquaponics ecosystem.
It's designed to give you confidence whenever something doesn't quite look right.
Using Common Tools with Confidence
Not everyone grows up using power tools.
If you've never used a drill, jigsaw, hole saw or heat gun before, you're certainly not alone.
This practical workshop introduces the common tools used throughout the course and explains how they're used safely and effectively during a backyard aquaponics build.
Sometimes learning the tool is just as important as learning the project.
Optional Extras
As you continue your backyard aquaponics journey, you may also enjoy adding a few extra features to your system.
These optional workshops and tools aren't essential for building a successful system, but they can make the experience even more enjoyable and help you get even more from your aquaponics journey.
They're completely optional and can be added during checkout if you'd like them.
AquaTracker
Keep track of your water quality with confidence.
AquaTracker is a colour-coded spreadsheet that helps you record your water test results, identify trends over time and quickly see whether your readings are moving in the right direction.
Rather than looking at individual test results in isolation, you'll begin seeing the health of your entire system develop over time.
Aquaponics Fish Viewing Window Workshop
One of my favourite upgrades for backyard aquaponics systems.
This practical workshop shows you how to safely install a clear viewing window into an IBC or drum using two different methods, helping you avoid common mistakes while creating a feature that's both practical and enjoyable.
Being able to watch your fish every day adds a whole new dimension to your aquaponics system.
From My 20 Years of Practical Aquaponics
My Goal Is Simple
I don't want you to rely on me forever.
In fact, the greatest compliment I ever receive is an email from someone telling me they confidently designed their own system because they finally understood how everything worked together.
That's why I teach the principles, not just the instructions.
I want you to understand aquaponics well enough that one day you no longer need my help.
To me, that's what successful teaching looks like.
Twenty years of building, testing and refining simple backyard aquaponics systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for complete beginners?
Absolutely.
The course assumes no previous aquaponics experience and gradually builds your understanding one concept at a time.
Do I need to build the same aquaponics system you build?
No.
In fact, that's the whole point of this course.
You'll learn the principles behind successful backyard aquaponics systems so you can confidently design one that suits your own home.
How long do I have access?
You'll receive lifetime access, allowing you to revisit the lessons whenever you need a refresher.
Is the course self-paced?
Yes.
Watch whenever it suits you and learn at a pace that fits your own schedule.
Will I need expensive equipment?
No.
One of the themes throughout the course is learning how to make informed decisions before spending money.
You'll explore a range of options suitable for different budgets and different backyards, including how to use second hand materials.
Can I ask questions?
Absolutely.
If something isn't clear, simply send me an email and I'll do my best to help.
One of the advantages of teaching backyard aquaponics is being able to support people as they learn.
Ready to Build the System That's Right for You?
If you've made it this far, you've probably realised this course isn't about copying somebody else's backyard aquaponics system.
It's about understanding how successful systems work, so you can confidently create one that suits your own home.
That's the difference.
You'll stop relying on conflicting advice.
You'll stop wondering whether you're making the right decisions.
Instead, you'll understand the reasons behind those decisions and build with confidence.
If I can help you avoid the confusion, wasted money and frustration that so many beginners experience, then this course has achieved exactly what it was created to do.
I'd love to help you build the system that's right for you.
Enrol Today
I don't want to teach you how to copy my aquaponics system.
I want to help you understand backyard aquaponics so well that you can confidently build your own
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