Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am chasing a $ 2000 grant for school to contribute with converting the school piggery into an aquaculture room. (Aquaculture and aquaponics).

The grant is from BP .. and is a small contribution to what I have in mind!



Any help regards approximate prices (Australia) for the components of an aquaponics system I have roughed out below or comments in regard to my estimates would be useful. I am thinking of a system very similar to Joels pond and circular grow bed system.

I realize that I do not have exact details and dimensions just yet, so I am only after "ball park" figures at this stage.

I already have two large circular ponds similar in size to Joels.

2 x submersible pumps - $ 400 ea
Pipework and valves - $ 700
Corrugated circular growbeds 5 x $ 450
Brickwork - $ 500
600 fingerlings (Koi, Goldies or Silver Perch) $ 1.50 ea
Shadecloth sail and posts $ 300
Gravel and scoria $ 100
Plumbing and electrical services. Sockets, Earth trips, timers etc. $ 600


Any WA folks .. please phone me to arrange a visit if you can give me advice... ... PM me and I will give you my phone no.

I have to make sure that your appointment is in a time when I am not in class, doing my teaching thing! (Or when I am teaching my wonderful Agricultural Science students)

OH .. my students just started selling veggies that they have grown ... for charity ...

First days sale .. $ 15. 50





Thanks folks

Much Appreciated!

Johnnie

I think Joels ebara pumps are around teh $250 mark each.

Is that what currugated growbeds cost these days? $450 each?

So is $2000 the total budget, I'm guessing there's a bit more there in your list...

Gravel isn't that cheap, about $65 a trailer load..

What brickwork is being done?

I'll PM you some details..

I am chasing a $ 2000 dollar grant as a contribution from BP.

I may be able to get the rest of the funding from the ED Dept.

So far all my figures are guesses my friend ... any any revisions of any of my costs would be useful.



I was guessing... What are they worth these days ?

We have to knock down some brickwork in the piggery, and do some blockwork to put the growbeds on. It has to be cemented together to be "student-proof!".

Thanks for your time Joel .. Will catch up soon regards the blue barrel system. ...

Thanks mate...

What about wire, cable ties, various fittings to keep shade cloth in place, nails, screws, plumbers tape, and the all important silicon sealant

I guess I need to put that stuff under "sundries"!

Thanks for the reminder my friend!

I am hoping to get this sent to BP this week , so any advice ... asap .. appapreciated ...

Dont forget ongoing costs, not just the set up. If you have 600 Barra, how are you going to grade them and feed them in the long term? and 600 barra at 1 kg each...

60kg barra = 2m * 3m growbed 30 cm deep... how much space for 600kg?

hehe...

Start with a small amount of fish, and go up, I wouldnt start with 600 off the bat...

We didnt get our BP grant but we did get $6000 and we arnt looking at anything on that scale.. and if your a school,

How is this going to be incorperated into the curriculum? Thats what will keep your system alive long term...

Thanks guys and gals ...

Much appreciated ...

I have posted the application ... will keep you in the loop!

600 fish ... yep I think too many ... however I intend to slowly work up to reasonable figures.. whatever that may be ...

I have seen pics of systems that are absolutely "churning" with high densities of fish. I have no idea how the fish manage to have room to grow ... let alone survive in such situations. Many species are subject to "stunting" apparently irrespective of food quantity and quality ... (Or is that an old wives tale?)

Thanks again folks. (I am learning.)

Johnnie,

I am not "down under" with you, so I can't comment on prices, but if your school officials are anything like ours they will demand you use some licensed builders for certain parts of your conversion/installation. Specifically, you will have to hire plumbers, electricians, and possibly carpenters to do and oversee your project. (Remember, now a days most school administrators are more afraid of a law suit than they are about the education the students get.)

Keep on working on this project. I think it is great if you can get it to come together.

I was also thinking that if you get too much opposition on converting the piggery, make a proposal to build a simple tunnel greenhouse for the aquaponics system and try to get a grant for installing a methane digester for the piggery. Then either use the methane to heat the facilities or install a generator to produce electricity! (Some dairy farmers here in the US are doing this, but I don't know why it would work with confinement swine operations as well.)

Kevin

Kev, restriction breeds innovation, you should be an aussie bro. I hope the weather gods are kind to you atm in Missouri.

Twin,
We are starting our summer season here. Everything is lush and green, plenty of rain and temps in the 70's-80's F. If it stops raining long enough I might get the grass cut!
I hope those of you who need it will get that much needed rain. Sunday I went on a trip to my cousin's for a visit. The Missouri River was still up, with part of the bottom land flooded. Not as bad as it had been, but still out of it's banks. Thank god we don't have crocidiles or alligators around here!
Kevin

unsucessful regards the BP grant this time!

Doh!

Well .. it was worth a try ...

My year 8 Kids would have loved this!

I guess I will just have to try a littler harder to convince the headmaster and powers that be to spend up a little more ... and convince the department that this could be so good as a teaching resource!

I know in my heart that an aquaculture and aquaponics room could be so good for the school if I can delevop it correctly.

BTW ... if anyone in WA has any pond pumps, submersibles, big or small, aquarium heaters, air pumps or aything "fishy" we can use at school ... big or small, lying around in their shed, doing nothing, lemme know! I could use them for mini systems.


In return I am happy to return he favour and help you if I can.

Johnnie

Bad luck Johnnie - they may just not be ready for it yet. The time will come.

I will work on it my friend... I got the room .. I got a load of tanks ...

I have tested the system .. it works!

I got two massive ponds ... a heap of fishtanks,

I just got to get a little lucky ..

Will happen ,

I am not beaten yet!