Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Oh yeah so I should point out I only just finally picked this up on this weekend just gone!
So as well as lots of beds and a tank, I'm also the proud owner of some seriously sexy calloused hands too...


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You can't talk about seriously sexy calloused hands without showing us a picture. I love me a good callous.

But I'm glad you've finally got it home. Are you running it as a separate system to your other pond/system, or making a bigger one?

Swoit, I was just wondering this morning how you were getting on. Can't wait to see it up and running!

KatMac any updates on your new build?

Not as yet FF. I've got all the bits at home waiting to go together, but I'm waiting on paving before it gets set up, this system will definitely require a well-prepared ground to sit on - not the black beach sand that is currently there.

My 'pretty system' and some other house and landscaping projects have slowed things down immensely. I am hoping to have a decent update for everyone before Christmas though.

At least my dirt garden has been giving me some joy while I wait. Spring has been hugely enjoyable in the garden this year!

Sometimes I wonder how several of you find the time for these immense gardens. I for one keep running out of time trying to build my first one. I couldn't imagine having 3 separate systems. Maybe it is because I work 12hr days to begin with I do however have a question since you obviously have a fully cycled system. How long per day does it take for you to properly keep up with it?

I probably fall into the category of how do you find time for all that? My friends ask me the same.

I'm like an ADHD kid, if I don't have a project to keep my mind occupied, I go out of my mind. I like aquaponics for the mental stimulation, others have other reasons.

But the systems take as much or as little time as you like. I've got it to the point now where I feed fish, seed new plants, prune and harvest the plant and then it's done(apart from the bit of repairs I need to do atm, but that's self inflicted).

I also watch very little tv, and I like being outside, and I've usually got the weekends to do the jobs I want to do.

I agree with the TV thing. I have a projector I can watch movies on with my laptop, but I don't have a TV that I can just flick on and waste hours in front of - otherwise I would. That definitely gives me a lot more time than I would otherwise have.

And I too go off on little tangents and undertake mini-projects to amuse myself.

I think that once the system is cycled, and even to some extent while it still is cycling, put the test kit away and don't stress yourself out with it. I can imagine it would be very easy to become obsessive about levels, and that takes some of the fun out of it. Test only when you need to, and otherwise just the general bug searching and planting and harvesting that you do is usually enough to see if your fish are acting differently. If it's just a small system then you shouldn't need much more than 5 minutes a day, with maybe a bit more time on weekends to plant new things if you need.

Thanks Colum and Katmac for the response. I too agree with the TV thing. Personally have only watched about 2hrs of it in the last 7mo. Just working 7 days/week, pregnant wife, and a 2yr old to play with. Listening to both of you. Once I get the system settled in I should be able to take care of it in under 30min a day. As it is going to be 3632gal (13748lt) in total volume. And getting bigger every time it gets redesigned. Pretty much, when someone points out a flaw. Having said that would you 2 drop by my build thread and see if you see anything amiss.

Kat,
How is the build progressing? It has been a couple of weeks, anything new yet?

Not on this system, but I jut finally finished (besides the cladding) the GB for my 'pretty' system. There's a link in my signature, but I'm about to upload some more photos.
This system won't go together until the paving gets done, and it's getting to that time of year where finding a contractor is tricky.

Ok I have also kept up on your other thread. But I thought you were doing both at the same time. My apologies.

I would be if I could just get that paving done! :-) I have a plan for setting it up, and it won't take too long, I just want to make sure the base is rock solid.
Unfortunately I'm out of the house for about 11 hrs a day, and have a 6 yr old to run after, so lots of my good intentions run to mud by the time I actually sit down for the night haha


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+1 on not enough hours in the day. But the stressful days will all be worth it in the end

+1 to the +1!