Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all. I've just finished my first ever AP build and thought i would put some pics up for all to see and comment / like/dislike etc. Feel free to feedback with any suggestions. As this is my first build i'm sure there is always room for improvements.

This system is a 3 IBC system with 2 FT and 2 GB made from a single IBC. These were sourced from where i work and had dust suppressant in them which is non hazardous and enviro friendly.

First pic... The location. Spare room next to my shed/sea container. First idea of setup, i ended up changing this around due to weight but the layout has stayed the same.

Slow drain setup. 2 small holes to limit drainage. System is a flood and drain system on a timer. Once fully flooded, it overflows over the top so the pump will never drain the FT.


By marlinblade at 2012-08-12

Rock guard installed and water from submersible pump plumbed in. This rock guard was later covered in shade cloth as media had smaller rocks in it than i had anticipated.

Return into tank, submersible pump and air stone. Drain in grow bed is open at the top so flooding results in full return flow to FT and can never pump FT empty.

Media added... it really needed a good wash and took ages to cycle clean...

Once system cleared, redclaw went in. Originally wanted to put Jade Perch in but none were available.

Plants Added!! Seeds germinating and seedlings doing well.


By marlinblade at 2012-08-12

After thought... added a strawberry planter to keep the kid happy

Added some shade cloth to stop the lettuces from burning as a temp fix. Have plans to put a poly sheet roof over the whole lot to stop it flooding during the wet season but that's a way off yet so this will do the job for now.

And that's it!! Now to give it time and see how it all goes, but early on growth is good, plants are happy and so are my redclaw. Got about 100 all up, 85 from the supplier mixed with a few locals i caught in a puddle down the road. Whole system is set up on a flood drain of 15 minutes flood and an hour and a half drain. Will adjust as required but so far it seems to be adequate. Will post back pics of growth as it happens.

Is that two seperate systems there ?
Looking good

Yeah 2 separate systems mate... Both going well so far... fingers crossed

Nice.
If you do get Jades you will need more growbeds as the jades feed furiously. I have raised 15 Jades to plate size twice now in a 500L fish tank with 600L of growbeds, but only small plate size as it gets too cold here for them. If you wanted to get them to a larger size even more growbeds would be needed.

Looks great!

Looks great!