Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

he didn't forget about me

Don't recall forgetting any friends :innocence:

3,500 posts left to read (and counting)

I've just been out sitting by the pond watching the fish. It's such a clear healthy pond. It's been 3 months since my last confession and I confess I haven't got the gravel yet.

Thanks to Ell, Rupert and Derek for their responses (like the crew that stands at the top of a bunjee jump patting one's back).

I'll go and look at the hardware/ landscape supplies place today for gravel (hope I don't have to grovel) and some tubing/hoses to carry the water around the system.

I see that Joel's Aquaponics book is abvailable through Earth Garden's Good Life bookshop. that's what prodded me to check in.

I'm a bit worried about upsetting this pristine pond ecosystem I've got going.

No matter how much you wash the gravel, you'll always get clouding for a while but it will eventually clear. You are not too far away so if you want an opinion or any assistance just ask.

Hi - Im at Hope Island on the Gold Coast and have just ordered a Balcony kit off Murray.

Like this one but I have upgraded to a taller 1250L tank.

http://www.aquaponics.net.au/prod93.htm

I have also added a second grow bed.

I want to eventually add a duckweed pond with Red Claw and some strawberry towers.

I think it will take about 2 weeks to get the kit now I have placed the order - I cant wait!

The hard part is going to be all the time it takes to cycle the tank before I add the fish!

Once I get it up and running I am happy to show people if anyone is interested.

Cheers,
Hamish

Hi Hamish,

what are you going to use to cycle up?

Welcome to the forum. Might be time to start your own thread

Hi I'm Kathi and live in Toowoomba. Just starting the reading part of aquaponics. Really want to get a system up and running, but not sure if it's doable in winter in Toowoomba? Maybe now is the time to read and spring the time to set up? (Or could I do the cycle thingo sooner?) Ah, so much to learn!

Hi Kathi, good to have you here too Sensitive New Age Gardener lives in Toowoomba as well. He may have some local knowledge to help you out

Welcome Kathi,
I am wondering what the temperatures are in Toowoomba as I don't think that cycling would be a problem at this time. We started my system up last year at the end of May and it cycled in 4 weeks. I think it is cooler here. The sooner you start the sooner it happens, don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today, I say.

toowoomba is on average 6 degrees colder than brisbane and it does get cold in toowoomba. The best bet would be to set it up and cycle it with gold fish over winter nice and slow and then you will be ready when summer comes and can get some eating fish.

I say go for it.

Gday Kathi - I agree with Nick :-)

G'day Kathy...Yep, I think goldies will cycle the best in 'Woombie and then about September look at getting some silver perch.

thanks for that Okay, next step is to figure out what I need to buy and how to set it up and and and .... okay, sure there will be lots more questions. Just saw you can do mussel and yabbies too.... I just know I'm going to try and run before I can crawl!

Hi Monya,

I started my own thread here viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3402

I am still not sure how I will cycle up - I would rather do it without fish - and I cant bring myself to pee in the tank

Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Hamish