Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

When setting up where around Aus is the best place to buy PVC pieces (please dont say bunnies) and other things like pumps etc I haven't as yet found that info here.

Well, bunnings is the obvious choice, but have a look for plumbing wholesale places around you.

There is one in Elizabeth, but that's a bit of a trip from you.

I have found the 'B' shop is reasonably priced. You may get a bit cheaper with a big order through some online suppliers, but only for fittings as the delivery charge will skyrocket for pipes. Some other major plumbing chain stores here in Vic charge around 3 times as much for fittings (they only care about their trade customers and milk the walk ins), but their equivalent pipe seems to be better quality PVC (bit thicker, not as brittle) than at the 'B'.

One of our local 'Water Specialists' has reasonable prices and excellent service, and will take back or swap unused fittings, so I don't mind supporting the local and getting great advice. Believe me, you will be in and out many times as you build and have to adjust your original plans, and add on other bits because you saw it in a really cool thread on BYAP...

Make sure you take a good sketch of your plan with you, and be clear in your mind about types of pipes and fittings (stormwater, DWV, pressure, electrical) as they are not necessarily interchangeable and you have to get clever about fitting them together. You also need to revise on the run as you may not be able to get the particular fittings you thought you could. Also, check to make sure fittings have not been put back in the wrong tub on the shelf - I have been caught out a number of times (even when I remember my glasses!) . It helps to take some small offcuts of the pipes you are using to make sure the fittings fit.

There is a good pumps thread here somewhere - search for 'pumps good bad' and it should show up in the list.

Have fun

Although I like cheap prices I will NOT enter the B stores had a run in with them 15 years ago over their"we'll beat it by 10%' bulldust I was finally escorted by security. Bullocks to their marketing.

Not the case for B - convenient at a price is more like it. However sadly many small irrigation outlets charge even higher.

Best bet is to ask an irrigation person where they source from. Other option are salvage hardwares - they often sell at lower prices and discount in bulk / by box.

In my case I have a local hardware [Terweys Cannington for WA'ers] that has a fairly high trade turnover that decided to actively market irrigation products particularly in the 20mm-25mm range. Their price for fittings are easily 50% of that charged by Bunnings. Pipe there is probably around 10-15% cheaper.

The cheapest way to get pipe is to buy it in 6m lengths - that equally applies in Bunnings as well as anywhere else. Other than getting lucky locating a local supplier the other option is to buy PVC fittings in bulk and ideally at trade prices. The price of 15mm-25mm fittings quickly drops below $1 for the basics and couple dollars for the more complex bits.


Many online options are low per unit but postage gets you unless you can get a big enough order.

If in Perth, Cheidys aquaponics (formally BYAP) equals or beats all B prices as standard normal off the shelf prices, I know, I used to go down there and check and if they had a cheaper fitting I'd change the price back at the shop.

Most irrigation stores will do you a trade price if you ask, I've found irrigation stores near me just used to do trade price without asking, though trade price was about the same as B, their shelf prices were generally pretty high.

there are some online stores around that do really good prices, I got 6 50mm PVC fittings for the price of one from the B!

http://www.perthirrigation.com.au/

"Fast delivery and competitive rates to most locations within Australia", I don't know if they deliver to Pt Lincoln SA?