Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am looking at setting up a new system , fish will be feeding two adults and two small children. I am looking at an IBC or two. Fish would be perch in one and trout in the other. I assume trout can survive in cold temperatures. Anyone else in Melbourne already established a small system of one or two IBCs with perch/trout. I can't find tilapia or catfish anywhere.

Welcome!

Trout are good in Melbourne over winter, summer is generally Silver Perch or Tandanus Catfish. Tilapia are a restricted species so you won't find them for sale anywhere.

Glenwaters Native Fish in Glenburn Vic do Silver Perch and Catfish among other natives, Macedon Native Fish farm do Silver Perch too, I wish they did Catfish as they are much closer to me. Some people also buy from interstate and have them shipped, such as the Narrabri Fish Farm, who do SP, Catfish and others. For trout there is the Ballarat Fish Hatchery, they do rainbows and brown. I'm not sure where else there is in VIC that does trout but no doubt they exist. You could also contact Melbourne Polytechnic as they have sold fish before, SP and Murray Cod from memory.

I have a two IBC system, each standalone setup, one IBC cut for GB & FT. The two tanks is more than enough fish, but the two GB's isn't enough for my family of four. I have to add another GB to each system, and I'm adding some channels for lettuce too soon. That should give me enough to plant a bit of variety, but knowing me it still won't be enough!

Anyway I'm rambling and I've just realised the time, I better get dinner started, toodles!