Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone
im new to the aquaponics idea have been looking into it for a while and have finally got some time on my hands to start the setup of the aqua ponics i have attached the photos of the area i intend to use for the setup
the concreted area is approximetly 2600 *2600 mm the pond which is in the photo has been in place for about six years and currently has koi and goldfish in it and is approximetly 1000l the outer area around the pond will i have decided will be the float trays area all the plants are going and will pump the water back into the pond which will go eventually to the grow beds as well and then flow back to that area this area will be concreted then fibreglassed to the depth of 300mm this are will be used for the lettuces and such.
under the main area
i am trying to find some 900mm width grow beds or something that width because i looked at the ones from the shop and the 1200 is to wide to put to of them in side by side that will leave no access to be able to get to the grow beds at all
if any one has suggestions or even know where i can source some small width growbeds please let me know

just to let you know the temp of the pond where it is at moment ranges from 12 degrees to 20 degrees even during those 40 degree days we have here in perth

any help would be really appreciated

Thought of using IBC's?

Hey outbackozzie

yeah the thought has crossed my mind and am trying to source some at moment to try them out

the only problem i see with the used ones is that being plastic they tend to absorb at least 15 -20 % of the chemicals they were carring in them and that can sometimes be harmful to the plants
obviously they were you photos in your post

the other problem is the waroffice (wife) wants them to look pretty as she can see them from the patio and doesn't like things being messy
she has been on my back for ages about cleaning that area up
it will happen soon enough i keep telling her

but yes the thought of ibc is there thats for sure

the other factor is i wish to be getting rid of the koi and gold fish and replace them with either golden perch or more like trout
or maybe even
a smaller tank with marron in as well

Hey demolition, can't get golden perch here in W.A..

There's also the possibility of blue barrels, or perhaps bathtubs, Bathtubs on a steel stand with something wrapped around the stand to cover up the underneath can look quite nice..

thanks earthbound

where can we trout or even silver perch from around perth area at moment does any one know

and yes thinking about doing a blue barrel style of one down side of house as well just to use up that useless area that no one seems to go down or has no real uses if you know what i mean
you know the 1 metre between your house and the next door neighbours house that seems to just be a waste of space

Demo find Troutman on the forum and send him a message, he delivers to Perth and has both species available,
Nice spot for your AP, I wouldn't put anything under your topsy turveys though, I also had 3 Genuine TT's and they fell apart after a few months, no UV protection, gave one to a friend also, same result, they all fell apart within 2 or 3 days of each other

your right about that those things are dangerous
when i put them up there was 5 after half an hour my grand daughter walk near them and one fell stright on her and she was in a lot of pain for a couple of weeks at least she never boke any bones or did any seriuos injury
but yes they are not in my yard any more they are at the tip where they belong

Also be careful of putting a system beside the house, check out the light first, often there's not enough light to get decent plant growth.

the side of the house gets sunlight from around 0800 till about1800 at night or till the sun goes down so plenty of light there throught day all the other hosues around us are on a lower level where their roof are just visible above the fence
so will be doing a system down there as well


the only problem their is the width thats my killer

but as for the other area was looking at the courtyard system for there and then some extra grow beds but skinnier ones if can find them
was looking at the salad bar size gb they would fit nicely in the rest of the area but dont know if any sells gb that size
will just have to keep looking i suppose