Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day all. I have had 10 goldfish in 3 x 240 litre wheelie bins for the last 10 months. No filtration, no aeration, just a feed and top up of water and occasional water change. Oh, and some water plants.The past 4 or so months I have started a little bit of a vegie garden (mostly potted) and I have occasionally used the fish water for the pumpkins. That roughly takes us to about 3 weeks ago. That is when I started researching (fixating upon?) Aquaponics.
After discussing my interest with my boss, he volunteered 3 more bins for my efforts. Mentioned it to an associate at the local paper recycler and she says "we have a bunch of old broken bins you can have if you want.". Not piddly little 240 litre bins but whopping 1100 litre bins! So I grabbed 2 of them to start with (1 as an Ft, 1 as a sump) and I am going to pick up another 4 bins this week to cut down and use as growbed (approx 300 litres when cut down). Looking to set them up as a CHOP setup. Either all 4 as F+D or 1 as a raft bed.
I also have a 15,500l/h 550w pump (which I'm thinking is overkill for what I am trying to achieve). I am thinking that on the strictly budget setup that I am restricted to, sticking with regular gravel for the media is the go (until I can convince the minister for war and finance) that expanded clay would be a good investment.
Any suggestions as to how to go would be appreciated. Is it worth setting up and dumping the fish in, including the water and sediment that is already there to give the system a kick start? Looking to add Marron and edible fish down the track once things have settled in. Also, how soon is it advisable to start planting out?
Any input appreciated.

Do you have any pictures?

You made any progress?


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Thanks Jacko for bumping this as it was some time ago and unusually no replies.

Hi MAH,

Take a wander down to BYAP in Jandokot (corner Berigan Drive and Jandakot Rd in the building behind the soil & landscape suppliers) - their systems are on display and from memory a couple use alternate media.
And in any event they don't mind you looking, asking questions and you can see a few things in action.
And when/if you decide to get some clay then they can help you out as well.

Many people use different things for media - check out Colum Black-Byrons' system and various advice for example. And lots of others.


Suspect pump would be overkill - that's quite a few watts and lot of water.
But then if you want to use it then plumb it so the excess for aeration/ FT circulation.
Your challenge will be having your volumes matched up, particularly if using a sump feed.
However check the actual flow rate at your setup levels as many flow rates drop quite considerably with head.

re: water - yep use what you have the fish in. Presumably it will have bacteria etc in it particularly if there is a bit of algae around. I would keep a tank or so aside as a GF tank like you are doing so all fish are not in one basket, but probably wont matter much.

"Also, how soon is it advisable to start planting out?"

straight away once system is settled (few days, week).

you will probably find you need to dose with seasol and other nutrients etc anyway as you fish to bed ratio will be low with just 10 goldfish. Most cited massive growth etc comes from plate fish where protein input is high and stocking rates result in lots of nutrients needing to be managed.

there are quite a few posts on this - but basically my approach has been to use a water can and directly water any added inputs to the veg in the GB's.

Hey guys. I have hade a rethink and gone with a 2300litre/hr pump. Not set up yet as we are going to be doing painting for the next while and prefer to set up after I no longer need access to eaves etc.

" prefer to set up after I no longer need access to eaves etc"

give you bit of time to drop down BYAP (now Cheidys) and take a look and get some ideas