Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi been a member since Oct and finally decided to take the plunge. I have heard and read about aquaponics a couple of years ago and always wanted to try and get a system together. I've tried square foot gardening and a little bit of hydroponics and the only worthwhile crop I got were herbs from the hydroponic garden and cucumbers from the square foot garden before I lost it to either weeds or caterpillars. I also keep a tropical tank and had my fair share of fishes disappearing. So to try a project of keeping fish and vegetables together in one system is a bit daunting.

Rupert of Oz showed me his systems and said I could build my own. He didn't know that my local hardware store rubs their hands with glee when I start a diy project. I am 3 times over my budget because I bought the wrong part or I wanted to experiment even though someone on the forum had tried it and said it didn't work.

Well I now have a smallish system a 590L litre tank with 25 perch had 26 lost one when adding them to tank haven't seen any floaters since. Tried to catch the buggers to do a count, but they're too fast for me and l read that if you stress them too much you may lose them. I have growing since Nov tomatoes and capsicum no fruit yet. Some silver beet and a couple of seedlings which don't seem to make it past the sprouting stage in a 100l grow bed. Took me a while to find out that the neighbors cat likes to cool off in the grow bed and flattens everything. I have since added another 100l grow bed as my ates were a bit high. Beside the cat and caterpillars things are progressing fine. I probably made many mistakes along the way but I admit it's been fun where else do you a grown man act like a kid when he see seeds sprouting in gravel.

Jeff

welcome jeff

lots of fun to be had....

a great but true obsession....

we love photos.....

Welcome Jeff... good to hear you managed to put something together....

But it's "show & tell" around here mate... not just tell.... photos....