Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Jan -Feb. Tanks and framing in place.

The positioning of the hotwater system meant the IBC's wouldn't fit down the side gate so, we had to take the plastic liner out and lift the metal frame onto the fenceline that you can see in the right hand side of the first pic. Then, whilst leaning it on the gutter of the house we slid it along the fenceline. Worked really well.

My partner raised some justified objections given that the other side of the fence is a Western Power easement and is sheer drop of 5+meters. Luckily she is supportive and once they were in place the full awesomemness of Aquaponics was clear to her

Progress early March: (pics in reverse order sorry)

Mid March:

Brilliant mate, great job!


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Thanks for the pictures and video Tristan.
So, if I understand your system correctly, you have a FT and Sump made out of the two 1000l IBC and six half barrel GB and as the acronym say, one pump in the sump.. Judging by the pipes and other ground cover in the sump, you have yabbies!?
So the CH in FT pipe goes straight next door into the sump, pumped to the GB and drain via gravity into the FT.
Have I got that right?
What and how many fish is in the FT? About 10?
Cheers, and thanks again. :thumb right:
I really can see this working in our future back yard!

Hi Gman, Its probably not easy to see the detail of the piping in the pics or videos, but yes, the system is two IBC's.

Basically, the sump water is pumped into the fish tank constantly, which overflows via the two siphon lifting overflows (SLO) into the growbeds, which slowly fill until emptied via the bell siphons (flood and drain) into the sump tank.

The sump tank never completely fills and seems to be a good habitat for the yabbies, which are basically just a bit of fun, but might also help as they filter feed in the water.

The design principle here is to allow maximum flow of water via gravity and use a low wattage pump to pump water in one direction only. In theory the fish tank can never run dry as the pump will never pump it dry and the overflows stop it from draining too far.

I think your system looks awesome - kinda like a big boat. - would be a nice packaged product with decals on the tin. Maybe even find a way to support growbeds off IBC frames. You could even put ratchet straps across the top and counter balance them

You enjoying the cos lettuce? Such a winner in AP

So I had the sump pumping into the GB. Makes sense that the SLO full of 'goodness' goes to the GB and then from there, via siphon, goes back to the sump.
How long ago was the last posted video "up and running" made?

Jayendra- Thanks, Heheh dont encourage me! I'm already trying to think of ways to quit the day job and do Aquaponics full time.... Man, Its such an obsession... the perfect blend of engineering and horticulture.... I like the idea of supporting the GB's off the FT's.....

The Cos lettuce is awesome, I've never had them form hearts in dirt beds, but they are still growing like crazy.... I guess because of the constant water supply...

Gman- The "up and running" vid was made on the 27/4 so I guess its been about 5 weeks of running full time now. I cant take credit for the design of the system (CHIFT PIST), I just arranged the components together to fit the design brief, which was to utilise the space effectively and to make it transportable. I find it is very functional so far though, having the beds at waist height is super convenient, I can go out and potter around before work without getting wet knees!


I've salvaged some old growth Jarrah floorboards from a derelict house my sister is knocking down, I'm making some beautiful Jarrah lids for the FT's.... stay tuned!

OK, time for a system update, things have been going super well, so much lettuce I have been giving it away, Kale a-plenty and beans, watercress, lebanese cress and even tomatoes that have made it through the winter somehow.

Fish seem happy and are eating well, I estimate that they are about 350 -400 gms at this stage, nearly ready for the plate next month! how exciting!!!!

Also spring onions, a pumpkin plant that is just starting to go mental and mizuna (which is super tasty)

I hope the Perth summer doesn't decimate the whole system, I will have to see if my tank insulation is any match for 40+ degree days.....

brilliant growth mate, well done. What are your temps at present? our systems started around the same time but i reckon ive got less than half your growth but my system is nearly ice at present.

Howdy Tristan, great setup. What is the inlet that you have to your fish tank. Is that a blower or just a venturi. It looks as though it disperses a lot of air into the tank.
cheers