Hi guys,
I've been lurking on the site for a few days, after seeing an aquaponics setup posted on the front page of www.overclockers.com.au and becoming quite interested. I grew up on a farm and typically can take or leave most agriculture, but I have found aquaponics very intriguing.
I have a few reasons for being so interested. One, I find the organic and sustainable nature of aquaponics compelling and have always wanted to grow my own food. I don't eat fish but I'm sure I can think of something to do with them.
My second reason is my father has cancer which he is undergoing chemotherapy for at the moment. He is very fit and active and has been working on the farm since he was 16, he is now 66. He is over-exerting himself a bit on the days after his treatments going around the farm, even though my brother manages it now, and I have spoken to him about aquaponics and he is very interested. We use best farming practices on our farms and are always interested in new things... and I reckon by helping him set up a medium size system at the homestead I can keep him busy for a while close to home and mum, and in a way where he is not overexerting himself. Our farm is near the Cobram/Barooga area along the border between NSW and Victoria, and we have plenty of space in which to setup a system. We grew tomatoes for 30 years until recently(Heinz screws over Australian growers by insisting on paying us at the same rate as chinese tomato paste providers.. which are lower yield and lower quality), so we have TONS of irrigation gear, plumbing, and suitable tanks and barrels to use as beds etc, as well as the pumps needed. I'm thinking at this point the main costs will be building a structure for the setup to shelter under and fish stock... Anyway, this is an introduction post not a life story, I'll leave it at that.
Right now I'm trying to learn as much as I can about aquaponics
