Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone. I think this is my first post here although I've known Joel for quite a while. I try to live a self sustainable life with my husband and it suddenly hit us like a bolt from the blue how useful it would be to have aquaponics in the backyard.

We want to keep our organic vegie garden going and grow a portion of our needs aquaponically. There is just DH and I so we need a smallish system. I apologise in advance if this topic has already been discussed, I couldn't find references to it.

We've just got a quote for a 5000L corrugated iron tank - 1800 x 800 deep for $300. Our two grow beds will be 1200 x 300, the quote for each of them is $200. However, the person giving the quote said that the tanks need to be lined. Is that true? We believe these prices to be quite good, but we really have no clue and would like your opinions. If there is a recognised place to go for tanks on the sunshine coast, please let me know.

Any other advice is gratefully received. Many thanks.
Rhonda

Hi rhonda,
I wouldn't bother lining them, zinc is a useful nutrient If it is a newer colourbond tank you should be fine in any case.

hi njh. Fancy meeting you here. ; ) The tanks will be just straight uncoated iron - the old fashioned silver type.

Rhonda,
depending on the age of the tanks (sounds like you are getting new ones) it can be advisable to paint them with a bitumen based sealant. It acts as an extra layer in the tank and slows rusting.
Welcome , though I notice you've been a member for a loong time
Jaymie

Hi jaymie. Yes, the tanks will be new. So just the normal bitumen paint from the hardware store?

Thanks for your welcome. I was one of a bunch of ratbags who came here to support Joel when he first started up. We all met on another website. I have been watching from the sidelines since and keeping in touch via email.

another question if I may. I want to use rainwater in my fish tank. Will there be any problems associated with this? Do I need to test pH. And if so, is that just done with a litmus test?

The old fashioned silver type = zinc or zinc-aluminium galvanised. The higher DO of AP systems can increase the oxidation rate in tanks, but I doubt it will be a big issue. Paint with fish emulsion or bitumen paint if you must (of course, you are just exchanging one contaminant for another .

I've been using rainwater for fish for 10 years without problems. That's what fish get in the wild

Hi forest,

I've recently purchased a 2400*760 corro tank and decided to go with the aquaplate lining aswell. 480$ all up including threaded drain and overflow. From memory lining extended warranty. Its money well spent in my mind, plus you dont need to stuff around with toxic paints! I think my tank has a capacity of just over 3000ltr, not sure if your 5000ltr figure is spot on.

good luck with it all!!

Rhonda - Good to see you here. Sounds like a great price on the tanks.

i used a corro tank whilst experimenting with coral trout, for some reason this effected the fish, iand most of them died. i have heard that marine species shouldnt be in contact with metal, not to mention it started to rust with the salt watetr. no problem with fresh water though.

i think the more important factor is the PH of the water in your system. At 7 or above i think you're fine.

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:fIu ... cd=6&gl=au

I remember reading one document where the sludge from a commercial AP setup was analyzed, high levels of zinc were found. I don't know what galv. components they were using.

thanks everyone.

We ordered the tanks today. They'll take about two weeks to make them. For anyone else on the Sunshine Coast, we got them from Foleys Tanks at Woombye.

Good to see you too, veggie boy. I've been looking through your system thread. It's impressive.

Thanks forest - my system has come together very slowly - but it is getting there.

Hi Rhonda, can you clarify on your tank figures, diameter 1800mm * 800mm height - that is only 2,000 litre capacity

Same here Les.... I make it about 2000ltr... Worms is correct that his tank is about 3400ltr

Rhonda's tank would have to be 2.8m x 0.8m or 1.8m x 2m deep to give 5000L