Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all aquaponists
I have been living in Alice Springs for over 28 years and many years ago purchased a 1 acre block on the banks of the Todd river (usually dry). My partner Trish and I live in a small stone cottage which is great but lacks a little bit of room so have been planning our dream home for the last 5 or 6 years. My desire was to include a pool as I am a keen swimmer however Trish was less than enthusiastic for a multitude of reasons. While reading a house magazine she came across an article on natural pools initially I was not interested on the idea but did some research and slowly warmed to the idea. I wanted to experiment and learn about bio filtration systems and from there started building and researching a small system that utilised our existing goldfish pond, trying to replicate our future natural swimming pool on a smaller scale. Well one thing led to another and I am now ready to start my second and hopefully improved Aquaponic system, hence joining the aquaponic forum.
However I think it is very sad that all the people on the forum seem to be obsessed with aquaponics and believe you all need to get a life. So I am starting a help group along the lines of AA however Trish has observed over the last few months that I am need of such help so my first step is to say "My name is Steve and I am an aquaponist and yes I do need help"
I am looking forward to being part of a vibrant and what I believe is an important movement in reducing our food miles and improving the quality of our food.
I am a long term soil gardener utilising good organic practices, biodynamics and my own methods developed for our harsh desert climate. I have also looked into Hydroponics but after some research found that the Hydro produce often lacked some nutritional properties and was pumped full of water. As such I am keen to gather and perhaps research the nutritional value of AP produce as opposed to well grown soil produce, perhaps someone may already know of such research.
I am sure that I will also be picking the forums brains especially those that are hopelessly addicted AP cases.

Welcome aboard Steve and Trish... glad to have some more like-minded people...

Hey Finally a person from a similar climate

welcome!!!!
Glad to have you here, and pick away - there is already a wealth of knowledge here, and HEAPS of people in and out all the time who are willing to help

Thanks for the welcome
I'm looking forward to picking your brains and hopefully be able to contribute some knowledge as well.

Hi, Steve!

My name is Dustin and I am an aquaponist and I need help. But I enjoy a beer and messing with fish and plants in the company of like-minded folks and don't want help, so it may be a long road... *grin*

My name is Neal and I'm an aquaponist. I often find myself looking a people's hilly yards and think, "Why are they wasting all that slope with fish and vegetable production?"

Brother Neal, you have taken the first steps by recognising your addiction... hopefully you have also moved to embrace your addiction, and have thus filled all available space within your own backyard...

Remember the 11th commandment though Brother Neal... "Thou shalt not covert thy neighbours fish tanks" ... approaching them to offer to remove any unwanted, surplus containers suitable for use... is of course the only neighbourly thing to do...