Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

First things first.... How many Power points (for electricity) do you need for backyard aquaponics system? Or would you want for future usage?
Cos the electrician is coming to work on the shed on some old light fittings that needs fixing and it would be a good idea to get him to hook up power for outside at the same time.

After lurking on the Backyard aquaponics website I already know that I will want to expand my non-existing system to a larger system.

My first goal is to design the total expansion... cos once a tank or garden bed is filled I am not gonna move it. Then peel back the total design to its most basic setup so that the next section is easy to add on.

The second goal is to get the hobby to pay for its own expansions/improvements.

Area: Although I always seem to be infront of the computer. I live on Tamborine Mountain In Queensland, Australia. South East Queensland. Temperatures will be about 2 degrees cooler than that of the Gold Coast or Brisbane and can be affected by frost in winter.

I have noted that I can find used IBCs At around about $70.00

I am also looking at a low wattage (40watts 4500 pump on ebay for $148ish)

Adding power outlet to outside of shed: $100

I can ask for pond water from my neighbours place.

Medium is still on the research stage but I will prolly go for river bed gravel.

We already have two bath tubs full of worms... it's a pity I did not catch onto aquaponics earlier. I like telling people to check out Dad's worms.

Piping cost:

Plumbers cement cost:

Fish food cost:? $70 for 20kg? Plus freight? and Storage considerations?
I can get free seaweed from my sisters workplace. Seaweed = good food for silver perch.

Water testing kit cost:

Air pump cost:

I am too lazy to dig. I formally declare that there shall be no digging only building up.
Unless you think that I need to dig hole then let me know

Costs will be separated into two sections. Setup and Running
Running will be Electricity and fish food.

Hi Mek,
I'm a newb so I will only address your first question seeing as my electrician is coming on Wed. to put a few outdoors-qualified outlets and a Box.

He told me he can only put in even numbers so I'll go with four, since 2 is too little and 6 is too many.

Consider pumps, maybe multiple pumps, aeration (more than one sometimes, heating maybe(?).... anyway put a few more than what you think you'll need, even because using multiple adapters outdoors isn't really safe (or so I've been told)...

T.

I would think most home sized AP systems wouldnt need more than 2 GPOs (general power outlet) (Mine is only running off 1...)
Also depending on your fish numbers, 20kg of food will take a while to get through, and probably not be very fresh towards the end. I got 3kg of floating pellets which my 8 silver perch have taken nearly 6 months to get through...

Pretty much what tojo said - Depend on if you're going to put a greenhouse out there as well. I can't tell you exactly what you'll need in the way of electrical outlets but you could be running the following -
Water pumps
air pumps
heaters (if you have or plan a greenhouse or start plants in your shed)
lights (")
fans (")

Might have been helpful to know some climate information for this.

Lights, water, fans, and air pumps don't use much electricity but you do need outlets. If you are going to add heat then put this on a separate circuit since it's the most likely to crash the system IMHO.

Mine uses a four outlet weatherproof box and all outlets are GFI for safety. There are two 120V circuits (one for a small heater and the other for everything else). The GFI aspect if I understood the Electrician correctly, was now required by code. I have had no issues with this for the last 4 months.

ahh cool thanks for the responses.

Just a dumb uestion...

How does one upload a picture?

(Cue and space bar and 1 do not workon this keyboard too well)

there are no such thing as a stupid question

Hi Mek and welcome to the forum

Have you worked out the photo uploads yet?

Thanks for the welcome

...no...
but I did read some stuff about BB code

I think I need help in uploading images or help to navigate the help page :p

Ok, here's how you do it Mek

Firstly resize your pictures to 800X600, remeber it is best to copy your original then resize the copy so not to mess up your original.

-then-

When you open up a post you see the section below the text box titled "upload attachment" you need to click on the "browse" tab which will launch a search function to find your pic, select your picture then click on the "add the file" tab. Your picture is now loaded to the post, you can do this 2 more times for a total of 3 images per post.

Now when you submit your post the pictures will automatically load up.

Hope this helps

I reckon you need a recorded message of that Charlie

hehe

you know I love helping the newbies

Stupid uick reply post section hiding the real post text box....

FOUND IT Now can you read mirror image? ***flipped the images for you Mek - charlie***