Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The area we're thinking of to locate our system is on our back verandah, with the fish tank under the roof and the grow beds on a cement slab next to the fish but not under the roof. Do the fish need light? If so, how much? Does sunlight in the fish tank encourage algul growth?

I think we'll have to protect them from birds - we have rain forest and a creek just metres away and there are a lot of birds. What other considerations should we be thinking of? Our system will be close to the rainwater tanks and the green house.

I'm still trying to learn about bacteria. We have one large cannibalistic goldfish in a large ceramnic pond. Would the water and sludge from his pond help the development of bacteria?

The fish will be quite happy in subdued light.

Temperature in winter if the tank volume is small

Yes, water and sludge from pond would help, also if you have any small rocks or gravel in there you can incorporate them into your system.

There is some info on the nitrogen cycle and the bacteria in the useful info section.

Oh, and welcome!

Steve

thanks steve.

We are about 15 kms inland on the sunshine coast, in the foothills of the Blackall Range. We never get frosts but winter mornings can drop to around 5 - 8* Is that too cold for the fish? We'll have a 5000L fish tank.

I'll throw some more washed gravel into Hannibal's pond to be used later. I was hoping to read that sludge would help. Yesterday bought a large container for growing duckweed which our worm man will give us. He throws it out! Now I'm off to read about the nitrogen cycle.

with good volume and good insulation and possibly not running the pump at night you can stay well above minimum ambients.

silver perch will be fine at 10C though they won't feed below about 15C

We don't have 5000L, the fish tank will be 2000L

thanks steve.

F&F has the same volume, i'll be interested in watching his temps over winter...........

If your going for silver perch you'll be fine Rhonda.. I get air temps down as low as 0 at night over winter, and my water temps get down to about 11-12. I've had some of my perch for many years now, so you shouldn't have much of a problem

Hi,
How "strong" is your verandah???
Will it carry the weight of the tank??? (just over 2 tonnes)

Might have to try EB's "fat bastards" test 1st - didn't see that on Jaymie's list

i thought we modified it to "solid bastards"

which glossary should it go in?

Hi lefty, the verandah will hold the weight. It's ground level concrete.

That should get you past the "fat/solid bastards test" o.k then.
All the best..