Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Greetings fellow APers.
I thought I would take the time to introduce myself and my budding AP system.
I am from Melbourne AUS, I have been growing my own organic vegetables and herbs in soil (pots and raised beds) for the last few years and have decided to make the move to AP.
I have been aware of the method for some time but it wasn't until I was telling my mate over a few beers about the potential of AP that we started to look more into it. Before too long he had secured a few IBC's at a decent price and the journey started.

Currently as the pictures show I have the one GB & FT, normally the GB is cut at a shorter height but my access to the backyard is via a standard doorway and so I had to sacrifice FT height in order to get it into the backyard.
I have sourced my water from rain (plentiful here in sunny Melbourne) and have a dozen mixed goldfish and bronze comets for now. Yet to decide on what fish or crustaceans to stock in the long term.
The site for it is north facing and receives the most sun of all my very limited backyard space (I rent a unit on a block of three).
Here's a few pictures for your perusal.







I plan on plumbing the 2 white 25L drums into the system for some larger vegetable varieties (most probably tomatoes or capsiciums) and also fixing boards to the rest of the exposed sides of the FT to reduce the light exposure and help buffer the temps over summer.

I currently run a submersible 6500L/hr pump that I have reduced with an inline tap. I flood for 30 mins every 2 hours which easily turns over the volume of water in that time.
Since adding the substrate 2 weeks ago I have planted snow peas, rocket and lettuce which have started coming through in the last few days. The plants atop of the GB are there temporary, just utilising good access to sunshine until the peas take off.


Can someone recommend me a good water test kit to purchase as I currently only have a ph strip test.
I would eventually like to use solar power for my pumps and would appreciate some suggestions on suitable setups.
As for fish/crustaceans I am leaning towards rainbow trout or yabbies any suggestions or places to source them locally would be a great help.
I have access to plenty of earthworms from my worm farms and crickets, wood roaches and mealworms that I breed to feed to my various gecko and lizard species. If that information is useful.

Thanks in advance.
Mad.

Welcome to the forum Mad, great pictures!

The recommended test kit is the API Freshwater Master test kit - I think it's available most places. I feel for you with cutting down the IBC, some times these decisions are made for us.

Sorry I can't recommend any fish, hopefully someone with a better idea of the melbourne climate will chime in.

I really like your tank lid!

[Edit: Typo].

Trout - there are a few places around - I got mine from Noojee, but you can go up to healsville.

I like your use of bread baskets for tops.

You need some more rocks in there I rekon.

I thought the New Kids on the Block were from Boston, I could be wrong... Welcome! It is good to see you bring "the Right Stuff" to the forum.

Thanks I have ordered that kit



I have 200L of expanded clay in there currently(giving a depth of 20cm).
I get a bit of wind where it is situated so I am hoping the extra height of the GB will provide a bit of protection for the seedlings as they emerge.



Step by step, ooh baby!

Thanks for the replies people.

looking good and welcome to the fun

A few updated pictures.
I have added 2x 25L drums to the system.

A styrofoam box with some watercress.

And made up some trellis for the snow peas.

Which are coming along nicely.


I have some kale seeds germinating at the moment, that I will transfer to the system once they are established.

Please make sure the width on those pics are 800 pixels.

If you fill those growbeds up you get more filtration

Hi mad_at_arms,

I'm also in Melbourne, i started my system at the end of April. Had 13 Silvers to start... not so good over winter. Anyways i now have 31 trout and theyre smashing the food!

I bought the trout as yearlings (about 200mm long) from Macclesfield trout farm. $2 per fish, they only guarantee fish for 2 hours travel. They're really helpful as well. I picked up 20 originally then went back and got another 11. not one fish died either time on the trip back to Caulfield.

I'm hoping to harvest by about October/November as the trout will not handle the hot weather.

I have not tried fish farming before this, so i dont know if this is a silly idea or not... I was thinking about Murray Cod yearlings and if theyre available as a Summer fish from November to March. I dont know how optimistic that is though. Has anyone else in Melbourne had success? Does anyone know if you can buy Murray Cod in Melbourne?

Thank you for fixing he width!

Been a while since I last posted as my hard drive died.
Here is an update


I have been harvesting the snow peas and lettuce for the last 2 months.
Also added kale, basil, tomatoes and pak choy(yet to sprout).
I have about 20 silver perch that I got through livefish.com in July that are starting to reach 10cm in lenght.
Very happy with how things are progressing.

Snow peas and lettuce are all finished.
Tomatoes have now taken over the grow bed.