Since first hearing about aquaponics a month ago I cant stop reading and researching. I was already knowledgeable about hydroponics from some earlier endeavors and I love the idea of not buying the fertilizers for the water.

I live outside of Denver, CO where the temperatures can sway from -10° F (-23°C) in the winter to 100°+F (38°C) in the summer. It seems the location of my house isn't that conducive to building a greenhouse, so I am stuck trying to get some grow beds going on the south side of my house.

My plan as of this point would be to have a sump and four grow beds (made of IBS's) on the outside of the house where I can grow all summer long. I would like to pump the water into the tanks from outside the house to inside into the lower level of my house where it stays a consistent 60°F (15°C) year round. I can then keep the fish indoors year round. I would then like to have some grow beds inside above the fish tanks for lettuce and other plants I can grow indoors the winter.

Is this a crazy idea?

In all my research I have not seen anyone do this. This was the only solution I could find to the harsh climate I live in. The other reason is I wanted to grow rainbow trout and it takes them a long time to get to plate size.

Suggestions? Links?