Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Tapatalk is on Woohoo! I just discovered it.

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Looking good clarky

Well ive constructed a table big enough for three beds. I will have the second GB up and running very soon. I will have to get another bulky to make the third GB unless i use something else.

So this it how she looks so far.









I bought a thermometer for the fish tank the other day and have been watch the temp. Here in karratha the past couple days the temps have been around 40'C and the water temp has ranged between 26'C - 30'C. I'm a bit worried about algae growth so I might cover the fish tank with that silver stuff ive got.

Ive got a couple questions someone might be able to help me with.

What temp is good for Barra?
Can fish live in complete darkness or do they need a bit of sun?

Cheers

Brendan

I'm also considering a common drain line for the 3 beds. Any suggestions or should I just have 3 drains to tank?

Are they saw-horses being used to support the "table"? What is the load rating? Each GB could potentially weigh up to about 500kg, so you should be very careful about your construction, especially with little'uns who will probably play underneath that structure.

As the table-top is solid, you could save some weight by removing the pallet section of the IBC cage and resting the GB directly on the table, with a cage section providing sidewall support.


Anything above 20C is good. Barra hate the cold more than the heat. Above 32C is starting to get too hot. Remember: dissolved oxygen levels in water reduce and respiration rates of all fish increases as temperature rises, so it's a double edged sword; the hotter the water, the more air you have to provide.


Yes, fish can live in complete darkness, but achieving complete darkness is actually harder than you think, so there will be some light in their FT. Algal blooms in AP systems are generally caused by excessive nutrient in the water which is exposed to sunlight. If you manage the exposure of the water to direct sunlight by not over-flooding the GB and covering the FT, and managing the amount of feed (and therefore the amount of nutrient in the water) then you shouldn't have too much trouble with algae.


A common drain simplifies crossing the distance between the GBs and the FT, but complicates the plumbing at the GBs end! If you're going to employ siphons, there can be issues with long sections of drain providing too much resistance to flow and the siphons wont start, but if the siphon is discharging into a large bore common drain, this problem can be alleviated; however, you also need to consider the event that all three GB siphons are going full bore at the same time and size any common drain accordingly. Then again, you don't need to use siphons as there are simper alternatives.

Yeah I've checked the load rating. They are rated at 500kg each. The table top is a steel frame and will spread the load. What I haven't done yet is place some plates under each foot to spread the load on the ground to stop it from diggin in . Ill be doing that tonight at work.

So I'm not too worried, thanks for the heads up.


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Wow I didn't read your whole reply. Cheers Bunson. You have given me heaps to go on with. Cheers chief.


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Personaly I would get rid of the saw horses. Once the legs start to spread you will not notice it till to late. I would not trust the rating on them either. Cheers

These horses aren't your typical super cheap bunning specials. They are really good. I'm not worried.


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You aren't the only one...

A before and after:

11th October



26th October - 15 days Later



Second GB will be online this arvo!! Pictures Later

It boggles the mind how fast things can grow in AP!

Aah the magic of aquaponics. Love it

So now I have 3 beds and a strawberry tower!!! Fish will be here next tuesday!!!
I am a little worried though. My water temp is 30 to 32'C.

I appreciate a man that uses 'thingy mabbob' as a technical description. There are not many of us around

Very tidy system mate.

If you are really worried about wate temps, you could get a massive air pump and turn your FT into a spa. Lots of air then