Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi from the Adelaide Hills!

Still planning my first proper Aquaponics system which I hope to get in ready and ready to plant for Spring. Have tried very small systems over the years more as a proof of concept and due to lack of space. I now theoretically have space but am having difficulty putting in a system without dismantling my whole garden. I have two locations I am considering, one between a shed and a boundary fence. The minimum width is only 1100mm, but if I put in a 700mm wide tank I should be able to cope. The heat on the shed and fence will likely be a problem in Summer though.
The second location is an already paved area, but it doesn't get a whole lot of light (dappled shade most of the time, possibly ok in Summer), but not so good without knocking a few trees down (the neighbours included). Photos of the two locations attached.
Any suggestions as to which location would suit better or ways to adapt them?

Ash

Hi Ashram,

I am still a newbie so please don't take my opinion too seriously. If it was my system, I would choose the second location, the paved area. There seems to be more space for you to move around your tank as well as growbeds.

Not too sure about the level of shade, but reading a number of posts here, people tend to recommend some shade over the growbeds and tank. I think one thing for sure is the less sunlight, the less algae growth in your fish tank, more nutrients for the edible plants.

I read somewhere that some people needed to build some shade over the AP system, so if your trees above do not
shed too much leaves over your paved area, you could have saved yourself some money putting shade over the system.

Between the shed and fence is just way tooooooo narrow.

Definently the paved area,

It will give you room to move around the Fish tank and grow beds and the shade will help in summer when the temps hit 40°.

H.

Hi Ashram, that paved area looks great your other option is way to small.you want to be able to walk around your growbeds ...drew

you other guys are so pessimistic....

I'd be up for a challenge! I wouldn't use up all the paved area though... just some of it and leave room for a table and chairs so you can sit and watch your system! but I'm loving the narrow space next to the fence... if it were me I'd try between the shed and fence.

But then I'm not so new to the idea of aquaponics anymore so I guess I'm ready for anything in it. If you're new to it, you probably don't need problems... just keep it simple - use the paved area. So that later (next year or so) if you feel like your system isn't working coz of the shade or some such, you can always dismantle and move it. its not like it has to be permanent... right?

these things take time...

Not pessimistic ,, more realist. Many try to help ,, but some don't want to listen.That is a personal choice.

Narrow systems are possible, you just have to plan well. Have a look at my system, its in a space that's only (about) 700mm wide:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=477

I would say it depends on where the narrow space is in relation to the paved space. That narrow space might be a fine place to put a line of narrow but deep grow beds (perhaps a good place to grow tomatoes and other tall vines that can grow attached to the fence) but then have the fish tank out where there is more space to move around it. If that paved area is kinda near one of the ends of that long narrow space you could have grow beds along the narrow space and the fish tank in the paved area or at the high end out past the narrow space maybe. My system stretches most of the length of my side yard.

Start off with the paved area though as it will be easier for learning.

Not so.
a couple of horse troughs would allow plenty of manroom. Or a tiered system of gutters perhaps a continuous flow with a biofilter.

But either way, I'd set it up and get all the kinks out on the big paving area before moving into the confined space... Confined spaces increase the chances of making a mistake tenfold imho.

Ya notice how it isn't really a question of where to build now but where to build first?

use both !

more fish and veggies

what's stopping you from putting the fish in the paved area and the plants in the sunny area??

Unfortunately the distance. Both are around 25m apart on a decline of about 3m so would need to put in a windmill to pump the water back up (although that would be fun I think I have enough projects on my list at the moment)

I think now however after reading everyone's suggestions that either location probably just won't do, so I (think I) have decided to pull up the fern garden beside the pool and put it in there. Its already near a GPO and a water outlet and under shadecloth with about 90% Winter sun. I will have to replace the shadecloth but that was on my todo list anyway. And it leaves room for a couple of future expansions, (and then the ultimate expansion into the pool - only half joking).

Off to find some suitable tanks and grow trays today - anyone know where I can get a 2000L tank in Adelaide that I won't have to take a loan out for?

Thanks everyone for their suggestions thus far!

I have 3 meters between FT GB and ST... it is achievable. in fact I think it's more like 4 metres. As for horizontal distance, I have at least 18 metres apart as there are 3 full 6m lengths of pipe, along with shorter bits and connectors probably 22 metres.

My system works well. Finding a pump was a little of an ordeal, because nobody on here truly believed I needed the head that I specified, and they also had no experience with pumps providing such a head.