Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,

Building my systems (a pair of IBCs) at the moment, and starting to think about fish.

I am aware that Silver Perch will work in my climate, but have also seen folks mentioning rainbow trout in my part of the world too. Also, I have seen some advice about starting systems with goldfish.

So, for a pair of (I guess) about 600 litre fish tanks, what should I go for first?

Thanks in advance,
Phil

Well just going from experience I would go with goldfish for a few months , then get Silver perch or catfish in Janurary.
I got both silvers and catfish a couple of years ago in janurary and just put them straight in the ap and away they went. But I have this year got catfish a few months ago and lost quite a few, and silvers a week or so ago and lost I think 4. So getting small fish is best when the tanks are warm and they can get a good start
Then you can think of getting trout in about April next year if you have a spare tank

Thanks Mantis - sounds like a cautious approach, which I like

What sort of numbers of goldfish per hundred litres or whatever should I be looking at?

Also, how long after sticking in some plants should I introduce them?

About a dozen goldies in each 600L tank and add the fish and plants at the same time, just dont feed too much for a start. Get a good water testing kit which you will need so you can tell what is happening while your system cycles
Google API master kit for your best place to get one, as they are the best for our purposes

i started mine with trout, and started my parent with goldfish then onto silvers and tandanus catfish

Did you have to do anything special to keep the trout cool over summer? Seems like an IBC would get pretty warm even if it was shaded during summer.

As a general rule, you cannot do trout over summer.
with a large enough (inground) system or a mountain stream to take water from, it is possible.

Iceman, where do you get Tandanus is victoria?

I got mine over in Maldon - not sure if he has them in yet, but ring Central Victoria Freshwater Fish Maldon. Let me know if you need a PM with the phone number.

I got my natives from Glenwaters Native fish farm in Glenburn...

as for keeping trout going over summer.... they liked my freezer

How big can you grow trout in 8 months or whatever you have?

not exactly sure, but search for the trout brag thread.


Thanks JM, ill look them up, if they cant deliver ill try find somewhere closer (if im lucky).

i have had mine since April... here is a quick video of them from april until now...

Very nice! I like the idea of digging a big hole and putting a 3000l poly water tank in the ground with a section cut out of the roof. Should make things pretty stable. Maybe after a few smaller things work

Only had my trout for 4 months and many of them are already plate sized

koi