Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,

My names cory kremers and I thought if im going to be getting into aquaponics I better jump on the forums and start networking. I've just built my system and id like to get everyones thoughts.

This is my first post so I will give a bit of my background.
- Got hooked on aquariums about 3 years ago, currently have a well established cichlid tank.
- Built my first hydroponics system 6 months ago and it destroyed itself by clogging up with roots.. first big mistake.
- pulled that system down and decided to go for broke and build an aquaponics system
- I currently study and work in mechanical engineering for a local council in water & sewer
- Just started a short online course in aquaponic production

So yes i do nothing in halfs haha

quick rundown on the system
- Tank is an IBC with two 32mm SLO's
- Sump with two 200L blue drums one has pump other is connected to gutters on garage.
- 3 x 35L grow buckets with hydroton constant flow
- 1 x sponge filter with clean water feeding buckets and dirty water feeding worms
- 1 x worm farm from bunnings
- overhead wires for vining plants
- will only plant 3 x vine per bucket (eggplant, youngberry, tomatoe indet, pumpkin etc etc)
- auto feeder, solar air and mains air
- have 5 large goldfish and 10 small (feeding 25cc per day of 35% protein)

system is only a week old so im dosing seasol to keep passionfruit happy. had additional 15 yabbies in there but they didnt seem to like the seasol and had problems with ammonia spike after they demolished one of there own and guts went everywhere (note bio filters are well established but couldnt handle 70g of yabbie haha) so ipulled them out and put 10 in a holding tank inside (5 died).

Already know that yabbies are going to be hard to keep and not looking forward to baby yabbies in the pump etc but bit of excitement so see what happens.. alternative is jade perch but thats for another day.

Would like to get everyones thoughts on the worm farm and using traditional food scraps to feed them while it is in the closed loop system. havnt seen it done before and im a little worried that ill be introducing large amounts of bio load, potential for fungus and diseases, fluctuations in water params etc. Ive dropped the flow right down to say 5L/hr (a dribble) and worms and fish seem happy BUT im getting mold and flies bugs of all sorts growing in their starting to worry haha

ill attach a few pics feel free (id appreciate it) to rip them to shreds better to know now.

Whole system



Sponge filter



bucket and worm farm



inside worm farm



slo's in IBC



view from inside

Welcome to the addict..er..uh-forum Cory! So you're circulating water through the worm bins? First off I'm no expert (although that hasn't stopped me yet), but I would keep them as separate systems. Too many variables in the system can cause frustration. Just hang out for a while and the more experienced APers will be along to help with any questions. btw I like your IBC, I've not seen one with the metal shielding.

HI Cory.

Welcome to the forum.

I'd recommend unattaching the worm farm from the system. It'll introduce bad things to the system, and the fish will end up with fungal problems/ammonia problems. Far better off just adding worms to the grow beds, and keeping your scraps seperate.

And you'll find that the bucket you've got the passionfruit in will be way too small, the root system will grow beyond it once it grows a bit, the same with the tomatos in there. I wouldn't use anything smaller than an IBC growbed for a passionfruit plant.

I know nothing but will make a suggestion and await the ex-sperts views. Id be concerned about the metal (aluminium?) fish tank, unless its food quality and even then what it contained before you got it.

Thanks for the heads up everyone. Have taken worms offline not worth the headaches. Might take some time to sort out bigger grow beds. The IBC is food grade but just has a tin sheet around it. Better then stuffing around painting. I'll end up building a decent lid so no drama with UV. Bought the pot liners to stop roots getting into drain. Will they just end up too dense in the buckets oxygen issues etc.


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There is a plastic bladder inside it Tonzz. I wouldn't be worried.

Hi Cory,

looks good.

+1 Colum about passionfruit - though I would go one further and say don't bother in the AP.
I suspect you will be similar to us here in Perth where a passionfruit in the ground will go beserk anyway as long as it has some water and sun. And you Sydney guys get summer rain anyway.

+1 Colum also re: wormfarm - I would disconnect and simply use the worm juice via watering can into the GB's as you feel you need it. Dont want it in-line.

I suspect you will need more buckets or DWC or something,
particularly if they are to be your primary media bio-filter.
** though not sure as you say "bio filters are well established but couldn't handle 70g of yabbie haha" ??

p.s. some good looking 90mm pipe in background of your first picture.
Is that for the system ?

Got an ammonia spike after the wild yabbies ripped an aquarium bought yabbie to shreds. Didn't catch it in time and the canister filter wasn't able to cope. Although I got it off a friend that had it on a pond. Had a bio culture but clearly not enough.
The 90mm is stormwater from gutters I have that running into a second 200L drum with excess to stormwater. So it's an auto top off with rain water


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Got an ammonia spike after the wild yabbies ripped an aquarium bought yabbie to shreds. Didn't catch it in time and the canister filter wasn't able to cope. Although I got it off a friend that had it on a pond. Had a bio culture but clearly not enough.
The 90mm is stormwater from gutters I have that running into a second 200L drum with excess to stormwater. So it's an auto top off with rain water


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so you said

I'd also remove the 4mm tubing. Tends to get clogged with bio-film.

Welcome to the forum mate