{"id":6181,"date":"2025-08-22T06:05:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T06:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T06:05:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T06:05:08","slug":"exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Bigs Hydroponics in Bend, Oregon: A Grower&#8217;s Paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#A_Fishy_Adventure_My_Aquaponics_Journey_in_Bend_Oregon\" >A Fishy Adventure: My Aquaponics Journey in Bend, Oregon<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#The_Make-Do_Collection\" >The Make-Do Collection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#Fishy_Decisions\" >Fishy Decisions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#The_Green_Nightmare\" >The Green Nightmare<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#Troubleshooting_101\" >Troubleshooting 101<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#Finding_Joy_in_the_Mess\" >Finding Joy in the Mess<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/exploring-bigs-hydroponics-in-bend-oregon-a-growers-paradise\/#Final_Thoughts\" >Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Fishy_Adventure_My_Aquaponics_Journey_in_Bend_Oregon\"><\/span>A Fishy Adventure: My Aquaponics Journey in Bend, Oregon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>It was a sunny Saturday morning\u2014deceptively serene\u2014when I decided to finally take the plunge into aquaponics. I\u2019d been reading about it for weeks, watching YouTube videos while sipping coffee, and dreaming about the day I&#8217;d have fresh veggies and fish cohabitating in my backyard. I imagined it would be an easy little project, like assembling a bookshelf from IKEA, but boy, was I in for a learning experience.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Make-Do_Collection\"><\/span>The Make-Do Collection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>You see, I have a shed out back that serves as a sort of treasure trove. I kicked off my aquaponics journey by rummaging through it, pulling out anything remotely useful. Old PVC pipes? Check. An ancient ten-gallon aquarium I used to house goldfish back in high school? Double-check. I even found a dusty pump I wasn\u2019t sure worked anymore. I threw everything together, feeling like a creative genius.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>But let me tell you\u2014when I finally connected the pump to the aquarium and flipped that switch, it felt monumental. Water began circulating around, and the idea of a self-sustaining ecosystem seemed all too real. I had read that tilapia were hardy, so I figured why not? I packed the kids into the truck and drove down to the local feed store, mentally preparing myself to be a responsible fish parent.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fishy_Decisions\"><\/span>Fishy Decisions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>When we got to the store, I found myself standing in front of a tank teeming with tilapia and thinking, &quot;These guys will make it easy.&quot; So, with a few splashes of water on my shoes and a promise to my kids to keep the fish alive, I picked out a handful. Excitement buzzed through the car ride home, and I felt like I was holding the secret to unlimited fresh fish tacos and homegrown veggies.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>But of course, it didn\u2019t go as planned. I set the fish into the tank all proud, and they swam around blissfully while I set up my hydroponics\u2014an array of net pots perched over the aquarium, a mix of clay pebbles and, to my dismay, a few weeds I yanked from the garden. I thought I\u2019d nailed it. What could possibly go wrong?<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Green_Nightmare\"><\/span>The Green Nightmare<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Fast forward a couple of weeks, and things took a nosedive. I checked on my setup one morning, and instead of pristine water, I was greeted by a shade of green that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. The algae growth was so thick it resembled pea soup. What had I done? The kids weren\u2019t exactly keen on fish tacos anymore, either\u2014especially after two tilapia looked a little less than lively.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>I almost gave up right then and there. I stood over my tank, eying that pump which had stubbornly started making this strange gurgling noise whenever I tried to turn it on. It was so frustrating! In my quest for aquaponics glory, I\u2019d inadvertently created the perfect breeding ground for algae. Perhaps instead of a thriving ecosystem, I had crafted an experiment in futility.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Troubleshooting_101\"><\/span>Troubleshooting 101<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>After a night of sulking over the state of my aquatic project\u2014drink in hand and a conflicted heart\u2014I recalled some advice from an article I\u2019d skimmed. \u201cSometimes you just need to adjust the balance.\u201d Apparently, this included reducing the feeding of my fish. Who knew? And with a little research, I learned about beneficial bacteria (as if I hadn\u2019t read it ten times already) that help with water quality. I felt like a caveman using fire for the first time.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>I dug out a water testing kit I\u2019d forgotten about. With shaking hands, I tested the ammonia, nitrates, and pH levels. It was like playing doctor to my fishy friends, but I was starting to get the hang of it. Armed with my pliers and a bucket, I drained some of the water, hoping to reset the whole thing.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_Joy_in_the_Mess\"><\/span>Finding Joy in the Mess<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Slowly, things smoothed out. The algae finally receded, the fish started swimming happily once again, and my seedlings peeped out from beneath the clay pebbles. I added a couple of new plants\u2014basil and tomatoes, the classics. The satisfaction of seeing those little green shoots emerge made the chaotic journey worthwhile. Every morning brought a small victory, and every mishap felt like part of the adventure.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Did I want to give up? Absolutely, more times than I can count. But every time I thought of pulling the plug, I reminded myself of that peaceful image of my husband throwing together a summer salad with homegrown rich tomatoes and fragrant basil. I was doing this not just for my pride but for moments like that.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span>Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>So, if you\u2019re sitting there, maybe nursing your own coffee while you contemplate diving into aquaponics or hydroponics, here\u2019s my truth: Don\u2019t let the fear of perfecting it paralyze you. It\u2019s okay to mess up, struggle, and watch a few fish float belly-up. The joy comes from the journey of learning and the act of creating something all your own. <\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s messy, it\u2019s raw, and it\u2019s totally worth it. Dive in\u2014a few flops won\u2019t drown you. You\u2019ve got this!<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Ready to take the first step towards building your own aquaponics system? Join the next session and discover the magic of growing your food right in your backyard! <a href=\"https:\/\/fce49htbqedc4go15igazdx60k.hop.clickbank.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Reserve your seat here!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Fishy Adventure: My Aquaponics Journey in Bend, Oregon It was a sunny Saturday morning\u2014deceptively serene\u2014when I decided to finally take the plunge into aquaponics. I\u2019d been reading about it for weeks, watching YouTube videos while sipping coffee, and dreaming about the day I&#8217;d have fresh veggies and fish cohabitating in my backyard. I imagined [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[836],"tags":[140,110,128,196,147,155,141,116,125,156,115,113,621,121,107,108,353,114,106,131,109,111],"class_list":["post-6181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hydroponic","tag-adventure","tag-and","tag-aquaponics","tag-aquaponics-journey","tag-aquaponics-system","tag-backyard","tag-ecosystem","tag-fish","tag-for","tag-hydroponics","tag-in","tag-it","tag-learning-experience","tag-like","tag-my","tag-of","tag-self-sustaining","tag-that","tag-the","tag-tilapia","tag-to","tag-was"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6181"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6181\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acjradio.co.uk\/aquaponics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}