Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Nice system. very clear water, nice to be able to see the fish.

TT,
Gemmell & I are looking at getting some freshwater mussels in November.
The shed is really warm even in winter so I'm actually shying away from trout, probably SP and yabbies once cycled.
Steve,
Painful - yes, I'm currently recovering from an inguinal hernia. Last time I had a hernia repaired I'd dug a trench for power to the water bore through the same type of 'ground'.
I think I've learnt now, but at least I have matching scars.
Mylesau,
Yes, Jim A from Burra has chains going up to his roof so I'm going to try the same as soon as I can. I've also got some drumstick tree seeds, if that survives I'll try and use the leaves for fish food.

P.S. Thanks for the input from everyone here along the way and also to Gemmell for inoculating bacteria.

Great attention to detail - Very nice

What is a "bell end"?

Tis a fine looking system. Puts mine to shame. Can't wait to see it take off, share veggies, share fish and of course, take inspiration and build that bigger and better system that is just around the corner (I've got my eye on the carport....)

Very Tidy Trench digger next time Eh

The flared out end of pvc pipe. Looks sorta like a bell

Dont know how I missed this thread - great looking work.

+1 for burying things

"+1 for burying things "

Yeah, none of my victims have complained so far....

Or as the drug lord said to the NYPD detective:-

Witnesses ?!? I don't LEEEVE no Witnesses!!

You thought of using that massive trench with your power in it to heat/cool water? I believe F&F is digging trenches specifically for that purpose....

Nah. Trench isn't deep enough (can't believe I can say that after digging it).
I'm thinking of copying JimA's set-up and using a solar collector.
Ruminations so far suggest getting two 2m sliding glass doors from building recyclers and shoehorning them together with poly pipe in between, and using a small 12V pump + solar panel + diff. temp. controller WITHIN shed to get those missing joules...

Anyone use fine rock dust? If so, could it affect bacteria growth?
The reason I ask is that I was getting about one dead goldfish every two days.
I bought a test kit and nitrates and nitrites were at psycho levels.
I changed out some water (50%) and not much reduction in nitrates/ites and still fish deaths.
I added some fine crusher dust to the GBs and four days later BOTH FTs (even the one I didn't change any water in) are down at negligible levels.
PH is a bit above 8, ammonia was never measurable.

Have I just observed a normal spike scenario or do you think it's the rock dust?

I should add that I transplanted some spinach and coriander into the GBs after the test and that there was some Seasol added prior to the fish.

When you say "crusher dust" Yarra.... do you mean the fine base stuff you get from landscape supplies/hardware shops etc....

As opposed to "rock" dust that you might get from a quarry??

Reason I ask is that some of the "crusher" dust seems as though it has some cement in it...

That would certainly drag the pH....

Road base sifted through ~40 mesh.
Goes pretty hard so it might have some cement in it - couldn't say for sure.
When you say 'drag the Ph' you mean towards alkaline, yeah?

Yep....

Thats interesting, how many fish you got in those tanks? Or you been adding a bit of humonia on the side? Any signs on the dead fish?