Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day from W.A to you all.

We are yet to explore all of the content of this website and look forward to absorbing all the collective knowledge.

Just newbie's here, we are about to get our first system on the weekend.

So excited

We would like to be able to make our system (ebb n flow - 1100ltr fish tank , 2 x approximately 1 metre grow beds) as organic as possible.

We have been doing heaps of research this week into aquaponics (avid gardener and have kept some fish previously) in preparation, but we are sure there will be heaps to learn and nothing beats experience.

From all the research we have done, all the systems we have seen (internet / You tube), they all seem to have some sort of sump system to collect the solid fish excretion, the system we are purchasing does not seem to have one. We have seen systems that just use a sponge (like in the pump) just sitting on the grow bed where inlet pipe lets water into the grow bed or a separate container (some funnel shaped) that sits below the fish tank which collects the solids. Is the collection and disposal of the solids necessary? Or can it just go into the system? (We do intend to populate the system with worms) If you need to collect and dispose of solids, what is the best method of disposal?

We would like to get some duckweed to grow as food for our fish. If anybody can supply us with some or put us in the right direction to be able to source some, it would be appreciated (Midland / Swan region).

Thanks to the organisers of this website.




SecretSquirrel

Hi and welcome!

No need to have a sump if you don't have the room or inclination, however you will need to work out how much your water level changes if you are running ebb and flow, as you don't want your pump running dry when both beds are full. This is more the reason for the sump than to collect solids, well that and keeping the pump separate to your fish (some people feel more strongly about this than others).
Your grow beds will do a great job of collecting and mineralising the solids - worms are a bonus too! As long as you aren't overstocked with fish, no extra filtration should be needed. That's not to say that you can't add it later if you want to.

Any chance of uploading a quick sketch of how you are planning to set up your system, and a pic of the space? That will help everyone to throw some suitable suggestions at you

Oh and speaking of overstocking, check out some of the threads on here about stocking rates. There is a certain DVD that suggests 1 fish per 10L of water - this is waaaay too much for a newbie with a basic system. Stocking rates will depend on your species of fish, how big you plan to harvest them, and how much biofiltration (loosely defined as the amount of 'wet' media in your growbeds) you have. If you have silver perch (reasonably common and a year-round fish) you might like to go for more like 1 plate-sized fish per 25-30L of wet gravel, or even 40L to be conservative.
Note that I said wet gravel/media and not water. A bigger tank/pond does not necessarily mean lots more fish.

On the feed side, duckweed alone will not provide the balance you need, but is great as a supplement.
There are lots of threads on this topic too, in it's own section:
viewforum.php?f=26

Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks for the welcome Katmac ! and the vital information...

I will upload a pic once we have system up n running, to put it out there for comments and constructive suggestions.

The more I read, the more I love your quote and the more apt it seems - "I don't even know just how much I don't know yet!"

Wow, we have ALOT to learn.

Thanks,

SecretSquirrel

Duckweed is everywhere once you start looking. We have lakes down my way in South lake and pretty much all of them have duck weed, you just have a look in the protected areas in amongst the reeds and you tend to find it.. Any permanent or semi permanent water body is worth a look. There's a storm water drain not far from me, where people harvest wild growing watercress, there's also duckweed in there as well.