Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm really liking the idea of aquaponics but i just don't see how anything could grow in Sydney during the winter. So my question is, would something like this greenhouse offer any sort of advantage?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Garden-Greenhouse-Large-Walk-In-Hot-House-PVC-Cover-/310360852436?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item4842f2c7d4

I want to keep my costs to a minimum but I also want to grow stuff now rather than having to wait spring etc.

A greenhouse is the only way to grow crops out of season in freezing low temps. You will have to consider the size of the greenhouse vs. how you will heat it. I built my greenhouse from 2x6 base plates and the rest is just pvc pipe. The better the thickness like 4-6 mill plastic will insulate much better and hold heat longer. I do two layers of 3mill in the winter time. Also you can insulate inside walls of greenhouse and around your fish tank and grow beds with bubble wrap. Think about some water heater(aquarium type) for the tank or sump. I will be using a 55gall. steel barrel converted to a wood burning stove this winter in my new greenhouse. You must be ready for the really cold nights and your power bill will definetly notice you running electric heaters every night. Also the stove will be perfect incase you lose power. I grew tomatoes almost to christmas but my cord accidentally came unplugged one night, and that was the end of my tomatoes.

This is my 12'x12' Pvc greenhouse. Built it for less than $50

Our temperatures never drop to freezing... Only about 4-5 degrees celcius minimum overnight. Daytimes are usually around 10-17 celcius. I am hoping I could get away with just the greenhouse heating up during the day and the FT keeping it warm overnight.

Hi Tcshad.. I'm in Gerringong... and haven't had any trouble growing through winter... exposed, without a greenhouse....

I've even had tomatoes set fruit in AP... during winter...

A greenhouse will certainly help... but it's not completely necessary...

What fish do you have Rupert? I need something fast growing as I'm renting and I would want to be able to harvest my fish within a lease period

Trout are your only option then Tcshad... they'll grow out to plate size by end of November...

My winter coldest temps would convert to minus -9.4 C. You definetly do not have to insulate or heat like me with 4-5 being the coldest. You can even place a barrel filled with water in your GH and let it heat up during the day and it will help keep it warm through the night.

I just bought my fishies a house.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/IBC-water-tank-Food ... 0888672198

ordered an anglegrinder too...

Rupert was it you that set up the aquaponics at Kimbriki? That's down the road from me.

Tcshad.

If your using an IBC then get your hands on builders insulation or such to insulate the tank & also a lid or tank cover..

~90% of heat loss can be contained by decent insulated tank walls and water surface area.

Plant wise - double layer poly skin in a hoop-house over GB would do the trick

If your looking at RBT? - 16-18c is your optimal water temps anyways..

Nah, was Charlie from Ecolicious... his first foray into aquaponics...

Does the system still have any fish in it??

Greenhouse wont hurt Tcshad... but isn't essential... unless you're out Windsor way...

Take a look at what I do in Gerringong... out in the open...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JhC8R-LQfo

I am guessing no fish. I was down there this morning to have a look. I'll post pictures in a minute.

photos here not sure how to embed them

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29903481@N ... otostream/

... about how I expected it to look...