Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,
I'm Norm.
I started looking online at AP a couple of years ago and for some reason life got in the way and it went no further.
I happened to just drive past Cheidy's in Jandakot on the weekend, didn't even have time to stop but it was enough to get me thinking again.
Been on the forum for the last 2 days and generally getting more confused about the right way to go.
There are certainly some very passionate people on here and the info provided is outstanding, you all should be proud of what you have achieved both on this forum and with your setups.
Anyway I've been in Kalgoorlie/Kambalda for the last 23 years so must be getting close to being a local.
I'm looking to start up a IBC system in the near future, 2 x FT, 6 x GB.
Hopefully as I get caught up planning I can find enough on here to keep me occupied and out of trouble.
Have had several attempts at conventional gardening and have not had much success here.
Coming from a family in Swan Hill Vic that have always been into their backyard gardens, it's been pretty disappointing.
Are there any members still on here that are still in Kal atm?
I'd love to catch up and actually have a look at a system in operation before I start.
Hopefully I'll be posting some progress soon.
Cheers
Norm

Hi Norm,

AP is definitely an option for growing something out Kal way.
Nice and warm out there at present.

There have been members in Kal but not sure ow many drop by these days.

Various ways to use your 2x IBC and grow beds.
Simplest is like a BYAP type setup (pump in FT to grow beds) or something with a sump.
Keeping it simple may work best - although sumps appear regularly you can run with 2 IBC and grow beds no problem. One option is two by FT+Grow Bed+DWC which will also help with not needing so much media.

Cheidy's always worth a visit when out SOR way.

OBO was out your way but hasn't been on the forum in years, he had a few nice systems.

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6616

Thanks Darren and EB.

ICB's should be delivered Wednesday so hopefully I can get cracking.
Was looking at SP for the fish but not sure about the water temp during winter out here.
I'm also hoping to put most of the system under cover in a shade or hot house hopefully to keep things growing all year.
Can you buy the clay media in bulk or are the 50l bags the biggest you can get?

Cheers
Norm

Kalgoorlie...you wont need a hot house surely?

Hi Tonzz,
Maybe you're right but just thinking of keeping everything under cover for the winter and cooler during the summer??
Possibly just a shade cover.

Cheers
Norm

Aquaponics when done right is the lqzy man's garden hard to stuff up if you keep an eye on PH
Silver's survival winter here in 8c water - but not very good plant growth, supplement with other things for plants in winter and turn off pumps at nighttime save heat

Aquaponics when done right is the lazy man's garden hard to stuff up if you keep an eye on PH
Silver's survival winter here in 8c water - but not very good plant growth, supplement with other things for plants in winter and turn off pumps at nighttime save heat

Thanks Jayendra, I guess I've got a lot to learn and what works in some areas not so much in others.

Cheers
Norm

Hi Norm, I lived in Kambalda/Kalgoorlie most my life. Moved to Kambalda originally in 1982. I live over east now but still work in Kalgoorlie.

I had a few systems which you can click on in my signature.

Best of luck in your adventure.

Only left Kal about a year ago... You can certainly set up a AP system there without too much hassle

Silver Perch are probably the way to go to start with - they will survive year round in Kal - even with water temps in the low single digits in winter and high 20's in summer and are quite hardy just slower growing!! Just remember the hotter the water gets, the less oxygen it can hold so you'd probably want to make sure there's plenty of aeration in summer.

You are on the right track with the shade however if your going to have the system fully outdoors. I found in summer even 'full sun' plants don't like Kal's 'full sun' - plus it will help keep the water from getting too hot. Once you have got it all down pat, you can opt to try grow barra's in summer and trout in winter but they are much more sensitive to water conditions.

I currently have 2 x 1000 LTR IBC FT, 2 x IBC grow beds and 2 half barrel grow beds - though I really need more grow beds than I currently have but my fish stocking is pretty low so it all works still! The larger volume of water helps keep the temperatures more stable with the day/night variation out there.

I found that having the grow beds deeper also helped depending on what you want to grow - the smaller leafy vegetables like lettuce and chard / silverbeet etc don't mind it being shallow, but tomatoes, chillis etc seem to grow much better in my second grow bed that is about 45cm deep (although uses a LOT more clay) - was always tempted to try it with normal pea gravel but never did because of the weight however.