Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Murray,

Was wondering if I could come see you some time to check out your system? I've got this old stainless steel bench I'm going to use to put my grow beds on and so I wanted to have a look at the FB grow beds in real life before I go commiting. Also looking into an FB tank, have you got that mould up yet?

To anyone else who's got some FB beds, some feedback would be nice.


Cheers,


Duncan.

Oh and anyone from Brisbane, where did you get your tank?

Cheers,

Duncan.

Hi Duncan, My "System" is not together as yet....just a temporary 200 ltr tank with about 15 very happy Jade perch.

I need to build a green house to set up my system…. I have decided not to do anything more (except watch those Jade grow) until I have the green house built…

Must be before end of Sept as I need it by then for bamboo propagation…….I propagate a bit of bamboo each spring and I am keen to see how successful it will be to try some bamboo propagation in grow beds. I am hoping it will produce a higher strike rate.

I have some grow beds made and now need to get my self into gear re the 2500 ltr FG fish tank so that my system will go together in a flash as soon as the greenhouse is up.

You are most welcome to visit anytime…just give me a call
Murray

Will do.

Thanks Murray.

Bambo propagation in the growbeds, sounds interesting...

How are your temperatures over there in Brisbane Duncan, do you get pretty cold in winter...?

Mine system is doing well at the moment even though it's gettting cold, fish are feeding even at about 12 degrees now. Keep us up to date with your plans and design..

murray, You propogate via cuttings obviously?

Seriously, grab a couple mist makers and put them in your grow bed with a cover on, drill holes in your lid and slip in the bamboo shoots you want to propogate. you will be ASTOUNDED.

Aeroponics has been used to propogate the "hard" and "nearly impossible" to propogate" things.

You'll have roots in half if not lees time than normal.

Ask if you want more details

Steve

How much do these misters cost Steve. Would they clog up due to crap in fish water etc - I assume you are talking about pumping through the nutrient rich water. I take it there is no need for the grave in this situation? That is this would just be an add on to the system, with the normal grow beds doing their job of holding bacteria and taking out toxic nutrient.

VB, got my one on ebay for about $27 (shipped)

Was much smaller than it looked in the picture, but this doesn't really matter as the container it is in will be fully covered, the whole air space gets filled with "fog" very quickly. They are not meant to work as well or last as long with crap in the water, but a friend came over the other night and i pulled out a litre of water from my perch (diry) aquarium to chuck into a bucket to show him the mister. worked fine, mist was flowing over the edge of the bucket

You are spot on about the gravel and bacteria, just make an addon bucket for they system. As soon as my system levels come up to "production specs" i'll add on a propogation bucket and post some pics

The idea would be to have the mister working from either a small tank that sits between grow bed and tank and is filled by water after going through drain bed gravel (this small tank/bucket would then overflow straight into fish tank (get what I mean) or alternativelly just refill the bucket that is being used for the mister every few days from fish tank water that has been filterred through a chux or something.

Is this what you are talking about Steve (or more likely this is comething totally different). Does the unit draw water from a tank or does water have to be put into the unit?Mister/Fogger

Yep, i get it.

refilling it may be the easiest way. the only losses you will have in water level will be from plant respiration. if you're stricking cuttings then the nutrient level won't go down at all really. if you're going to use it for growing then set it up like this, excuse the very BAD picture

we have the same tastes in ebay sellers. you picked the same seller that i got my azolla from AND the same mister seller

Refer my picture and ask if you need it clarified

Now I get how they work. Cool - will definitely give one a go

hi EB,

The temps aren't to bad here. Min temp was 6 (on a really cold day) but averaging a "cold" (so not on normal days) of 10 degrees. Will keep you up to date on my system.

Cheers,

Duncan.

Did a bit of research on aeropinics. Other than the few references made on this board, I had never heard of it. A couple of questions for you Steve:

1. Do you think this type of mister/fogger will work for aeropics use. The untrasonic foggers taht are sold for aeroponic use seem to be quite different to these (and very expensive). I realise that the same pricipals apply with these little foggers, but wonder whether the same paricle size etc is achieved.

2. Do you think that the nutrient concentration avaiable in the fish water will be sufficient. Aquaponics works on a system of having high volume of the fish water going through the system as a single litre (or watever) of liquid would be relativelly low in nutrient. Quite different to a hydroponics setup. I am thinking that I may set up a fogger for propagating, but may have to use a different nutrient source.

3. I noted quite a few references to the liquid containing no solids for use of ultrasonic foggers. I reckon that fish water may present a problem here over time, but I guess the only way to find out is to give it a go.

Duncan - sorry for hihacking your thread. Maybe we should move this discussion elsewhere Steve.