Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

There are other bottom drain setups out there that are cheaper too. These guys have a catalog with several options or you may be able to find their setups online - https://pentairaes.com/bottom-drains.html

SLOs work pretty well with a single center pickup but the bottom drains have a better design. I used a SLO pipe running across the bottom of the tank initially and didn't like it because the fish could and did hide under it. I switched to a SLO where the pipe runs near the top of the water and then straight down into the middle of the tank and like it better but even with this I'm pretty sure a bottom drain would work better if done properly.

I need to get more pictures up. The system is a bottom drain in the centre kinda like the Eco trap without the trap part. Everything has then drains to filter. Last few days has been hectic. Power outages a few days ago and then equipment failure leading to a 95% loss of my biggest and best fish. Tough week but learn things and improve on them!


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That is tough. Sorry to hear about the power failure and fish losses.

Ouch!

Ya it was a tough loss. Just hope for some better luck.


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Out of the aquaponics system, the upland cress has been flowering and going to seed for last couple months. The lettuce is ready for a second harvest. The fish are growing and some have already been sold. Spring can't come fast enough.

No kidding. Last year i was alrady working my dirt already. But at least the snow goose have shown up. Going to try to put some meat in the frezzer this sat.

Nice no snows in our area. Only got a couple speckle bellies in the fall. Grass is finally starting to turn green. And some of the ice is finally coming off the dugouts.
The spearmint is starting to take off which is good. I am thinking I will need a second growlight or a bigger growlight for my grow bed. When summer comes I will have to get the aquaponics side to the new system set up.

are you just growing greens? if you are t8 daylight bulbs grow them just great. the down side is they should be 3 to 4 inches away and i just adjust them with the string that hangs them.

Right now I am just growing greens. Don't know about future. I am going to be putting up led growlights. The long term plan is to get all the florescent lights changed to led. I need to post more pictures.

Hello again!

Do you folks maybe know where I can get some Redclaw Crayfish in Calgary?

I know there are some in our rivers, but I have no time and skill to hunt them down, so I prefer to buy them from somewhere. Stores around only have live lobsters.

I don't think you will find anyone with red claw crayfish up here in Canada as that is an Australian crayfish. Red claw are not on the allowed aquaculture list in Alberta. Freshwater prawn is on the list. Also I believe you are not allowed to take and keep a live crayfish in Alberta.

Oh, I thought we can keep them in closed tanks away from natural waters.

Freshwater prawns are good for me as well as my girlfriend loves them and they will do the same job in my system.

What is the best place to get them? SKA?

I can't tell you where you would find them. Hardly anyone farms them in Canada.

I think I found someone local, he has good reviews. Will try to buy some shrimp or crayfish next week.

How is your system going on? Everything good now?