Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well well well! I just got a call from Simon from Landmark Ballarat, I told them about those tilkey tubs, and guess what?! They're getting them in for me, and at the same price! $130 for black, $155 for green So for all you Victorians that were looking for a cheapish solution for attractiveish growbeds, I present you le solution magnifique!

http://www.landmark.com.au/

Ballarat - 03 5334 1030 (Simon)

Well done mate......

Question from a foroegner over the border (who might try the same thing)... is Landmark a rural supply company or similar???

YES! Should have added that in... been a long day!
Was rapt when I got the call Finally I can get my system started!

Hey Les... just a quick question... you're not dead are you? I was just wondering if I should order the black or green tubs You've been using them for a while, just wondered if you've died yet from the demons that inhabit recycled black plastic?

Also before you made your choice, did you ask if there was any lead etc! Cause my wallets a lot like yours, it'll chase the best deal, even if it might kill me!

Hi Guys

Just been in contact with my local (reads 'ish') Landmark agent (maitland) they are also going to have a look at getting the product in and said if any other store was carrying it they could draw the stock down from them. so will keep you posted with their reply but this could be a good thing. I have asked for 3 initially and if they could get three in stock for feb (born optomist)

Excellent! I've started a ball rolling Yeah he said if one store sources them, they essentially can go into the system Aus wide! I think this fantastic for all the people who understand what a budget is :p So he's set it all up for Ballarat and said that by the looks of things there are other interesting things in their range they might look at carrying.

The company that actually makes them is Agricultural Products of Australia (http://www.agriculturalproductsofaustralia.com.au). Not much on their website but it will be updated soon. If you have any questions there's a toll free number

Cheers!

P.S. Wonder how big/much the round high tubs are pictured in the middle on their site?! They might be perfect for the fruit trees I plan to BONSAI!!!

Still kick'n Ken , you have done well chasing them down...The black ones I use are recycled plastic - they stated no lead - there was a member (Roskar) who had the green troughs and vb is looking at them as well, but I have had no probs (health or otherwise) with the black one after 12 months usage...they did bow on the sides so I added re-inforcing bars.



are you referring to the multi-coloured bins in the middle of the pic from the site you have linked to??? ..if so they are flat sided on the opposite side, they are horse feeders to clip onto stalls or fences (30 litres, $60 Tilkey)...if you are referring to something else - let me know, I may have some size info on them

Haha, good to hear! I mean they might not be food grade... but it's safe for animals to drink out of... and we eat animals... so by that logic, it's good enough!

I did see that reinforcing you used, I'm just in the 'wondering what to sit them on' stage, I see you started with them sitting on cinder blocks, then later you've added the bars. I'll have a think about that, I might make some kind of stand they can sit in with reinforced sides... or something like that



Ahh yeah they are to, I see now! Probably wont be big enough then, might have to do the half a blue barrel trick

isnt landmark what used to be the farming side of Westfarmers ? till they sold it off

yep

Have just chased up Landmark Maitland and they have said that they can get the Tilkey products (they have contacted Tilkey yay!)and that their purchasing person (pc) will give me a call this arvo or in the morning...I presume to confirm my massive order

had a whole stack of the blocks so it made it a viable option for me, metal frames would work as well, in fact if you are handy, you could combine both the sides and leg support in one frame...with the bowing of the troughs I measured it at 40mm (either side), I did the side supports coz I only had a 500mm path clearance between the 2 rows - didn't want to have it any less, hence the frame

Stop stealing designs from my head! That's what I planned to do Just have to pinch dads welder and head down to the local scrapyard

I've got the patent

OK! My growbeds arrived today! So, I've gone through the following stages!

Stage 1: Decide on a whim you're finally going to get around to starting an AP system.

Stage 2: Build a 4000lt fishpond and whack some goldies in there.

Stage 3: Buy and Ebara Optima sump pump.

Stage 4: Buy 4 APA Budget Troughs.

Stage 5: ???

Stage 6: Enjoy fresh veggies and fish grown at home!

Just gotta figure out stage 5!

I actually got to have a geezer at the APA catalogue today when I was at Landmark Ballarat picking up the troughs, and under the budget trough it said 'perfect for herb/veggie garden'... looks like someone at APA is paying attention to who's buying their products and for what purpose!

Hopefully they wont whack a drain in the bottom and call it the 'super duper aquaponic version' and double the price!!! Damn niche markets!