Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hello, this is my aquaponics system. It consists of a 1665L swimming pool and 2 500L growbeds from BYAP. I have no fish yet maybe next weekend.

Wow you didn't waste any time getting it all set up, well done you!
Just watch the sharp edges on the metal sheeting, we just used 19mm poly pipe split down the middle and tech screwed to protect the edges.
Look like you could almost swim with the fish as well Nicely planted too!

hmmm think I got a dud timer, it runs constantly but will not switch on and off even though set to automatic and in the top outlet. think i might just have to run constant tomorrow the plants got a bit wilted today, I had work.

thanks for the tip faye. yes I didnt waste anytime putting it in and did 95% of it myself my 8yr old son helped with the 5% he was very excited so I had to set it up right away. just as well I got some other chores done the day before because I was busy setting it up all weekend.

Nicely done Nomzy....

Don't mean to ask a stupid question... but have you checked the slidable red button on the top of the timer...

This sets to either timer mode, or manual.... and I have found the occasional one that works backward compared to the suggested position...

If not we will replace it under warranty Let mke know and I can post another one out.

hello, well i was at bunnings so i got another timer anyway, this one works. I 've got my fish(silver perch) lined up for sunday from that gidgi supplier. the plants got a bit knocked from the first day with no water cycling but they are bouncing back now. my son has been playing with the gravel their are little containers of it everywhere, any one know where i can get a cattle prodder lol

Had one you could borrow but the kids buried it somewhere

Today I got my 40 silver perch from the gidgi guy. they are very energetic they are leaping out of the water!!!

Not too sure that is a good sign for silver perch Nomzy. Keep an eye on them, if they are behaving unusually you may have to add some salt, just to help them cope.

hello, the fish are all doing well, they were only leaping for a couple of hours then settled down. lots of seeds have started to sprout now too, its going to be a very full grow bed!!!

It is the only way to go Nomzy

That's a great setup you have there nomzy and I see that you have plants in it straight away.
This confuses me as I have always understood that it takes a few weeks to get the bacteria going before putting the plants in. Judging by your post dates its only been a week from set up to plants. Quite possibly I'm misunderstanding something. Am I?

Clive

Hey Clive,
We fill the system with water, plant the plants and add the fish any time after that. Chlorine offgases in 24 hrs and bacteria occurs naturally, so minimal feed for the first month.
It is as simple as that. Of course there are more specifics such as stocking density and exactly how much to feed and how much growbed is required, but it is all documented these days and gives a helpful guide for success.

hello, yes clive I actually planted on the same day that I set up the system!!!! and a week later I added the fish. it is my understanding that you need the plants and fish for the system to cycle as the bacteria is from the fish. I also got some pond water with the bacteria in it from the BYAP shop to help it cycle faster. You feed fish little at first as the plants root system is not well developed yet so they will not be filtering the water at optimum level yet, so to limit the nasties in the water you limit the amount the fish poo he he.