Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all.

I'm new to AP. I have just started my first AP system.

The grow bed is a constant flow media bed that holds 570Ltrs of wet media. The fish tank is an IBC that is filled to the 800Ltr mark (i figured i would not fill to the brim so as to cope with fluctuations in water volume and to keep jumpers in). I have a swirl filter made from a 44 gallon plastic pickle barrel. I have used 25mm low density irrigation poly pipe for the plumbing. I have an air pump and water pump that run around the clock.

At the moment i have six 50mm gold fish and two silver perch fingerling in the fish tank. I am using these fish as guinea pigs, the gold fish have been in for two months now and they're still swimming. The silver perch have been in for two weeks ditto.

I have a few lettuce, zucchini water cress and other odds and ends in the GB. These are all well enough. The plants may need some micro nutrients. I am doing some research into micro nutrient application and dose rates now.

What i am after from AP.
I am an AP hobbyist. I'm not looking for world record productivity. I want the satisfaction of eating stuff that i have produced myself. I find it fun to experiment and AP gives me a productive outlet for experimentation. I am a landscape designer and i think that there will be a demand for AP design and consultation in the near future, so i want some hands on experience to draw on.

I am worried about the state of the world. With an ever rising population of people, dry land salinity, soil erosion, water eutrophication due to poor conventional agricultural practices and the over use of antibiotics, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides in food production. I think that AP is well suited to address all of these issues. It's nice to think that I could one day make a contribution towards the mitigation of these problems.

I look forward to learning more about AP. And one day to have some experience to share in return.

Hi BGTC,

Hows the new system going?
Im a couple months behind you in a new construction.

@BGTC - Hi and welcome

Hi backyardisbest & Curious.

Thanks for your welcome to the forum.
The system is going well thanks. I added another 250L worth of GB and another IBC fish tank. This new grow bed is flood and drain using an auto siphon.
I added 30 trout fingerlings to the system three weeks ago. I have not had any fatalities. I sourced the trout from Buxton trout and salmon farm. The guys there are great. I got average 3 inch trout for $1 a piece. Their service is good and they are more than happy to give newbies some advice.
My system is running a little too high on nitrite ATM so i have cut the feed until that sorts itself out. I am thinking of adding more GBs to aid in getting rid of excess nitrites.
My vegetables are looking a bit sad. But i put this down to teething issues. So i am not too concerned about it just yet.
I recently added some shading around the walls of my fish tanks. I had a bunch of green, stringy algae growing. But the shading has sorted that out.
I am going to add a SLO to the system's tanks as i get a fair bit of poop build up in a fairly short time.
I currently have a swirl filter made out of a 220L plastic barrel. I works okay-ish but it is a chore to siphon out the muck at the bottom. I want to rig up something with a funnel shape at the bottom so the much naturally settles at the bottom to be drained away with ease.

How about you backyardisbest, how is your system coming along?