Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks for the tip, i'll be waiting for a while before the tank temp is above 20deg (that reminds me, must get around to insulating the tank)

I have ordered a second growbed from Joel, just waiting on delivery now. However it only just occurred to me (no comments please) that if I just add on the GB with the current setup the fish will be left with only about 400L to swim in out of 1000L tank if both gb's are flooded at the same time. Not ideal. So ...

My two favourite options are;
- Add another pump & timer and fill each gb at different times (currently is on 15 mins on 45 mins off in each hour)
- Add a flow valve

Any thoughts, opinions?

Sump is not being considered at the moment, hubby wouldn't be thrilled about another tank & fence in the backyard. Especially when he would be the one digging the hole

I am leaning towards adding another pump. Flow valves seem to be a bit more maintenance with cleaning etc..
Do anyone use flow values ?

And, what about using a normal irrigation type setup (solenoids and controller). Would a cheap 2 station setup and controller be an option at all to control a 240v submerged fish pump? (can ya tell i don't know much about irrigation systems!)

in order of preference

sump
timers
valve.

a sump tank can have a simple wooden slat cover with the pipes going in on one side. would take the pressure off for a fence. i assume that it is for kiddies?

lay lengths of timber planks across the sump, then lay hoop iron (dont know if this is the correct term, its like thin metal strap with holes along it) ontop and screw it to each plank.

will be heavy enough so a kid cant get at it but it should be able to be rolled (if you leave a slight gap between each plank) up for access easily.

Karen, your 1000 litre tank will support 2 growbeds. We have a 2 bed system with a 1000l tank on display at the shop and it works fine. that should make your life easier.
Faye

Thanks Steve & Faye (the growbed arrived today by the way ..YAY!)

I won't make any changes and see how it goes filling the 2 gb's at once. I don't think the goldfish and koi will mind the drop in water. We'll see how the silvers like it later on ... c'mon water temp .. hurry up and warm up !!

Oh, and yes Steve the fence is to keep the little kiddies from trying to swim with the fishies and/or trying to feed their siblings to the fish

Here's an photo of the latest growth in the gb. I am spending lots of time trolling the forum at the moment as I am waiting for a gb stand to be made up for the second gb ! So much info on this forum .. good one guys

I didn't include a photo of the fish (just goldies) as the water is so green you wouldn't be able to see them. Most of the tank is covered now .. the water will clear eventually I guess.

I am really enjoying eating lovely FRESH greens. My daughter loves going outside with the kitchen scissors and coming back with an assortment of goodies.

To date this is the most successful veggie gardening attempt I have had (well, except for the fish kills, but we won't mention that). I have found in the past that dirt gardening is too physically hard (I haven't been well). Whereas in AP the gbs are nice and high, close to the house, no digging needed and no heavy carrying of mulch etc.. This is what first attracted me to AP and it certainly hasn't disappointed ! Well done BYAP for bringing AP to the consumer (for me at least). Yay Joel !!

go grrl, its awse, bet you have seen the news in onslow, OH MATE , too much

Do ya mean the dude who went crazy with a gun in Onslow?
I imagine the whole town is pretty shook up about that one.

the media is a circus, the true will prevail

truth........... maybe even a better choice.

I tend not to watch the news .. can't say I miss it. Anything of interest (locally anyway) someone will be talking about it. I am sure you know what small towns are like .. everyone knows everyone !! Sometimes that's a good thing .. sometimes not

Looking good Karen, hope you had a great birthday!
Hip hip hooray

Ta Faye. Hmmn, not my birthday yet, must've entered a dodgy birthdate in my profile I wonder how old I am

Just a quick update as I haven't posted for a while. My system is going fantastically (is that a word?). I've been harvesting my first lot of trout over the last few weeks...mnn ..very delicious. And I eat something form the veggie garden for pretty much every meal.

The tank tater temp climbed briefly 22deg c on the weekend so I am planning a mass harvesting of trout later this week. The tank isn't insulated so the temp fluctuates quite a bit. The trout seem happy though, still feeding like crazy.

Hopefully I'll get some Silvers once the water is consistently warm enough. Question for you guys .. will Silvers eat small goldfish ? And I am assuming the yabbies and silvers won't get along, is that right ?