Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day All,

Mike here. I've been sitting on the sidelines for a while - reading lots, doing the odd course and experimenting in an aquarium. The stars are almost aligned and sometime this year I will be setting up my first system! The site has been set aside (see photo) and my basic idea is as follows:

BA Entertainer System (1000L fish tank and 2 grow beds)
Trout in winter, Barra in summer
Separate pond for yabbies and duckweed

I have a 100000L rainwater tank which fills quite easily. I also have a worm farm. I would love to grow berries as well as veggies (especially blueberries and raspberries) but, from what I read, that may not be viable other than in the ground. Potential issues up here include; tree debris, birds, insects, and wide temperature ranges (boiling in summer, freezing in winter).

I would be happy to receive any hints at this early stage. Otherwise, I will keep you posted as things progress! Regards.

Your conditions sound like Jandakot, Mike. Freezing in winter boiling in summer, temperature range of 50 degrees from -5 up to 45 and trees as well. At least raised aquaponic beds keep from freezing, unlike growing winter veges in the ground and losing them to frost and rabbits. Just try to find an open sunny position for your veges as they really need the sunlight to grow and particularly to set fruit, nice water tank Look forward to seeing things move forward.

Hey Mike. Yeah, pick your spot carefully so that the plants have good light, and where you won't have to many problems with leaves, sticks and nuts.

Hey Mike!

Welcome to the addiction!!

would a form of shadehouse be an option too some issues, iv got a 50% White cloth around mine that i have fully sealed off with doors in it, can open door during the day to let good critters in and shut them off at night to keep possums and unwanted s out, also helps with the blazing sun and Frost in winter. also leaves falling from tree's etc. i happened to leave mine open last night and had a freindly visit from something who ate some tomatoes and cleaned off 3 silverbeet seedlings.

Few people have Hoop style houses made from PVC and 50mm HP Poly they look the goods as well as being productive.

may also be converted to a Hothouse over winter, if required that gives you a great headstart on spring.

Very nice landscape you have there too!!!

look forward to seeing some progress over time!

hi mike
perhaps you could use the water tanks as a FT
make a nice big system

Digging the hole for the yabby pond (200x200x45) - easier said than done in the Perth Hills!

hi mike! lesmurdie here, i have slowly been setting up my own "culture" in this forum, my base thread is (the heart of a tank system) basically i use reclaimed "waste" from the mount hospital where i work...included are some plastic tubs that amongst other things ive got yabbies happily living in.

more than happy to give you some supplies to get setup because basically; we are going for the same "setup"

let me know if you want in!!!

Thanks lesmurdie - I think the only supplies I will need are some yabbies to get me started.

Yabby breeding tank up and cycling!

nice looking tank :-) going for yabby breeding and pond snails to keep my ducks happy as well - its addictive stuff!