Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Greetings fellow aquapoisists!

My name is bradford. I'm new to the world of aquaponics and I wish I'd discovered this stuff years ago. I've been interested in permaculture and hydroponics for years, been growing veges at home my whole life, and I love eating fish! But I don't eat a lot of it because I don't trust where they come from and how much heavy metal or other contaminants they might contain. But to grow your own, knowing exactly where they've come from, what could be better?

I've set myself up a little garden with three beds made from old bath tubs, a fish tank made from an IBC and a sump made from two more bath tubs joined together via the wastes.

I've used the CHOP mark 2 design as I'm working with a sloping site. I've filled the beds with seedlings - broccoli, asian greens, peas, snow peas, chives, garlic, garlic chives, tomatoes, cress, cabbage and even a dwarf lime tree. All appear to be doing fine despite the system not cycling yet.

At the moment I just have half a dozen comets which I don't think are doing very much for the size of the system. I'm currently trying to snag some rainbow trout but it seems most places are sold out. If anyone can help me out with a fish farm selling trout at the moment I would greatly appreciate it.

I've added some urea to get the system cycling but as yet have only detected the smallest amount of ammonia and no nitrites or nitrates yet. I'm also adding about a cap full of Seasol each day. The pH was originally up around 8 but I've brought in back down to 7 using some 'pH Down' from South Pacific Hydroponics.

In preparation for Canberra's winter I've also built a 'hoophouse' greenhouse.

Here are some photos of my little project. If you'd like to see more just befriend me on facebook. There's over a hundred there!



cheers
bradford

You have come to the right place Bradford. Hopefully you can get some trout, cause they are the best fun that you can have with fish, especially in the cooler months, I think you have a lot of them in Canberra. Thanks for sharing your photos, looks like you are set for winter.

G'day Bradford

I'm also an AP newbie and have just set up my system in the ACT region ( out near Bungendore). I have stocked with trout which I got from the Snowy Mountains Trout Farm at Tumut. I dont have their number handy but if you google them you'll find them.

Another good source of information and supplies is Simon over at Capital Aquaponics. Again, google is your friend. :-)

Your system looks great especially the poly house. I have been thinking about doing the same sort of thing but havent gotten around to it.

Good luck with the adventure.

Cheers
Shane

That would be Gemmell

BTW Bradford - that is a nice and neat looking system. You can see that a lot of reseach, effort and care has gone into it.

Thanks Faye. I was originally going to get some silvers but then decided on trout because I heard they grow quicker, especially during winter.



I'll try Snowy Mountains Trout Farm and I just found another in Tumut called Triton Trout who have Salmon Trout...sounds interesting. Anyone grown them before?

The poly tunnel was pretty easy to make, although I have had a bit of trouble with the tape that joins the sheets together coming adrift. I just used builders plastic which is normally used as a vapor barrier under cement slabs...so it's pretty tough.

I'll have to get in contact with Simon, the guys at Sth Pacific Hydro suggested I talk to him too.



Cheers Arbe. It's amazing how much you can learn on YouTube! Although next time I'll probably use IBCs as growbeds and I'll incorporate a floating raft or two as well.

I've put together a little video of my system. I had fun making it on the new iPad, hope you enjoy it... (it's in HD if you watch on the YouTube site.)

Also, I get 50 trout delivered tonight from Alex at Snowy Mountains Trout Farm. Can't wait to see the little fellas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Great video Bradford, you're really off to a good start....cant wait to see the follw up vids.
Reckon those Canberra winters will test you out, with frozen pipes and such......thats why I live up north....frost free...aarrhhhhh!!!

Great video Bradford, and an incredible system. That greenhouse really makes a difference. My system is being challenged by it's outdoor aspect but the system is still doing well.

I'm looking forward to comparing the growth of your system over winter vs mine. :-)

Cheers
Shane