Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

we have now been able to check up on the Trout farm in NZ. Murray hasnt lived in NZ for 10 yrs, but i think sometimes it feels like only yesterday. The farm was located at Reefton however is no longer in business.

Rupe, we can get whitebait in Adelaide, although it is of a larger size than the NZ variety, still great for patties.

As we are all seeing the problem with any food only based aquaponics system..... The only way I can see it being successful is to have Goldfish, Koura, Eels or the smaller native fish.
Or to go tropical and look at some importable species ie Silver Dollars or the like....
Vegetarian fish that feed off the prunings from your system and pelletised food would be great but then you do want something witha decent fillet too.

I personally like the science behind the idea and the possibility of reducing dependence amongst the poor in vast areas around this globe of ours. There are also many places areound the world where water is scarce or polluted.

Might have to start eating my own goldfish if I want some fresh fish from the system then....

Rob @Aquagold

I was also wandering what size people use with hydrotons 4-8mm or 8-16mm?
Plus what do people use to control water flow in a flood and drain system?
I want to get away from using an electronic controller on a f&d unit.

Rob

You are all helping me to appreciate my ability to grow Tilapia here in Ohio. I definitely appreciate the desire for the conservation officials to want to protect the native species there, but why would they require permits to grow even the natives? Seems they'd want to encourage that...

Robert mentioned the Koura, has anyone had luck with those in aquaponics?

thanks for all the great info,

amy

Koura/freshwater crayfish/Yabbies require limited growing conditions and usually die if kept in the summer as they get too hot or die because of low D/O.
NZ Conservation Dept or Fish and Game, do not encourage anyone to handle or keep fresh water fish. The pet indusrty is having trouble with the tropical fish species it is even allowed to import now.
Rob

amy
try paul at mahurangi tech (google it).
hes the only guy in nz that can get anywhere with the boffins.
your best hope i fear. the institute bred eels -worldfirst.
he has some involvement in perch and his associate with carp.
the boffins have hamstrung nz aquaculture totally
good luck

Welcome to the forum Amy!

Farm Fountain == Neat!

p.s. (I went to Ohio State - Go Bucks!)

Not sure if I understand the ques correctly Rod - but here goes

If you are talking of flooding a GB using a pump on a timer:
use a stand pipe, cut to the desired height so that excess water will over flow directly back into the sump/fish tank whilst waiting for the pump to cut off

Put holes in the base of the stand pipe so that the water will drain out when the pump is off - make sure holes are large enough to drain the GB when pump is off.

An alternative is to have a continuous flow pump and use auto siphons

Did some looking on here the other day and found the auto syphons.
I have a drawing for a side wall option as well, if one doesn't want to go through the bottom.
I have been in communication with Mahurangi Tech for the last 8yrs about what they are up to and talked extensively with their fish breeder and nutritionalist. They have bred the eel but not raised them to a on growing size. their are some misrepresentations out there on what is really happening.
All the Redfin Perch are sold as fertilised eggs to Ireland and they are taking all they can produce. Might have to try raising my own soon if I get around the red tape.
Boffins is one term I've heard plus a few others.
Am looking at setting up a AP system at one of the Fish and Game headquarters so they can see what they do.
Goldfish are going to be the one for now.

Otherwise it's another Kiwi on the Continent.

So far collected 30x 500l round grow tanks and 20x 350l grow beds.
Will only use a couple of the fish tanks though.

Rob

Come on Rob... show us ya tanks

Hi Rupe,

They are; Fish tanks - 1.0mroundx.5mdeep with conical bottom and grow beds are 2x1x.25m. Fish tanks were $40ea and GBs were $25ea.
Will try and get a photo up if I can work out this site and get camera working.
Still trying to sort out things like building a hot house and how many GBs to use for 4 FTanks. Will be growing aquarium plants for the business.

Rob

Still haven't figured out the posting pics things....
Was trying before to post a pic of a side wall syphon.
I read the post but .....

Rob

Update! I got the hoops for the Tunnel House last weekend and hoping to get some time this weekend to put up the walls and get the hoops on. Will order the plastic for the roof and walls next week then it's assembly time.
I talked to a guy I meet who is a Physics teacher at the local high school and he's now keen to put one in their seems that they just got a new science block.....
Might be setting up two systems.... lucky I bought extra hoops, GB's and Fish tubs...
Will now have to learn how to put photos up... Rob @Aquagold.

Rob... did you see the article in the March edition of Austrasia Aquaculture... PP 45-47

Oliver Lucanos, of Belowwater.com...over Raglan... now exporting Giant Kokopu overseas...to the Canadian, Japanese and American ornamental and aquarium markets?

Growing them as an aquaculture species... pellet feed... successful breeding techniques...

Sounds like a viable species.