Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

He all, I've been interested in ap for a few years now, not realising how do-able it was until I came across this place. So after a while lurking, and with the help of my friendly local mod, I have finally started my fist system. Got the IBCs Sunday, chopped them up today and all start on the cleaning tomorrow. I still need to sort out some pumps, plumbing and media, but I figure if I do everything today, I'll be out of jobs tomorrow, haha.

Looking forward to picking brains here, and hopefully showing off some nice produce.

That's a lot of fresh blood... are you still alive...

P.S.. blood & bone are not usually suggested additives in an AP system...

Were they Coke syrup IBC's?... do they have Phosphoric acid listed on the label?

It was a close call on the blood a couple of times rupe, haven't seen an angle grinder kick so much until cutting up those bladders, but getting covered in plastic dust is better than hot sparks, haha.

Nah mr d, it's Diesel engine oil, not as tasty as coke syrup I guess, but pretty good for a few boxes of beer and a favor. And apparently makes good bar lube on a chainsaw. Might let someone else test the theory first though, haha.

Good to see you make a start, Jessy.

After your clean up Ill come round and give you some tips on standpipe locations, plumbing and wot not. What media do you think you will go with?

Should have used the chainsaw to cut them down

Yeah will for sure Charlie, cheers. Just thinking blue gravel mate, I'll pop into burgies on the weekend and see what's affordable and will work. He'd be the best place in town?

Nah stu, can't hold a can and a chainsaw at the same time, but my grinder doesn't have a deadman switch, just trying to be time efficient

Yea Burgies have 15-20mm blue metal or there is another place in west Kal but cant remember the name of the place sorry. The pea gravel is another good option, bit nicer on the hands. You can borrow my trailer if you need to go grab anything. Get all your plumbing and pumps etc sorted first, the aqua one pumps at bumming are really good quality but can be a bit pricey, your only other option for pumps is online. Laguna and Rio hyperflo are another couple of good brands.

heard on the radio this morning that burgies have a half price xmas sale on pea gravel.

I use pea gravel, 20mm stuff

Its good but hard to work with compared to hydroton, missus refuses to dig in it.

Definately harder on the hands than hydroton but easier than blue metal, easier on the plants too.

Well, it's been a while coming, but I have my frame made up, and am testing my pods with a few goldfish to see if they live before I put the whole lot together, I heard a horror story of a bloke who set his up, dug it in and killed his first batch of fish as the tank wasn't clean enough. I'm letting my hole soak tonight to dig out the final 30cm. After that, all I'll need is the plumbing done and put in some media. Looking very forward to it all finally coming together, I guess it wouldn't hurt not having about 4 other things on the run at the same time too.

Hey mate, havnt had a chance to get over your way yet. Family staying over xmas etc, should have time this coming week

No worries Charlie, whenever you've got time mate, it's a busy time of year.