Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all,

I first became attracted to AP upon seeing Joel Malcolm's set-up on the TV. I had been looking for a hobby which would interest and challenge me in retirement. I have a chemistry background and an interest in sustainability so AP seemed to fit the bill very nicely. I noticed on the forum that an AP symposium was to be held in Sydney and my wife and I attended that and had the benefit of hearing several experts in this area. With the help of one of them we got underway with the system described below.

The existing set-up consists of one fish tank bought second-hand(complete with window!) linked to a 6m long polyhouse containing polystyrene lined deep flow troughs. Unlike a deep flow system, water is pumped continuously and there are intermediate stages of biofiltration and suspended solids filtration. Both types of filters were largely made with recycled and low cost materials. Most of the water flow occurs under gravity.

We have been underway 6 months and now nutrient levels are high enough to grow a variety of broad-leaved green vegetables. We are also seeing if we can get tomatoes to grow successfully in this type of system.

I have attached some photos which show:
(1) The existing fish tank with silver perch.
(2) The polyhouse ready to go.
(3) Plant growing trials.

Some recent embodiments include a swimming pool solar collector for heating water in cooler months since the electric immersion heater is too expensive and second-hand solar panels to drive an air blower for the fishtank in case of power outages (can happen).

Looks really neat (you are going to get pinged because of the size of the pics, but someone nice will probably sort it out ).
Then more pics?

Yep, I'm a PC troglodyte, I'm afraid...comes with the age. After several members asked for pics I had 7 nice lined up to tell the story but they were all over the allowable size; then had to stumble through paint to reduce them; then found could only send three at a time; then when the post went through, only two appeared plus I made a typo (deep flow rather than ebb and flow)....and after all this effort when I went back from preview the web page expired and I needed to refresh. I'm gonna have to be a fast learner :-) this type of smiley will have to do....

Try the resizer tool http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... ght=resize

Here it is ....

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/dlo ... file_id=29

How many Silver Perch do you have Alchemist, and how long have you had them....

P.S where did you source them from?

Hello Rupert,

I currently have 75 silver perch. I bought 100 in August as advanced juveniles from an aquaculturist in Jamberoo which is close to both of us(does one use commercial names on the forum?). I lost 25 due to slime disease in September, I think due to too high alkalinity. I didn't realise how long my crayon pH meter needed to stabilise and was under-reading the pH. Now, I calibrate often and backup with a drip test as I should have done to start with.

Know John out at Jamberoo.... they must be getting to a fair size by now then.... nearly edible?

So how are you filtering your water?

Think I'm going to have to come see this system Alchemist... will PM you shortly.

Hello again Rupert,

Got an e-mail from you re resizing photos thanks. Thought I replied to it but couldn't find the reply in my Sent Box. Oh well, will get up to speed with this eventually.

The fish have not grown as fast as they could have because at first I couldn't push the feed hard enough without getting nitrite spikes. This was due to my initial biofilter design, I think, which I have now improved upon. Now feed rate is about where it should be and they are coming along. I use screen filters.

First of all he's got a window :jealous: (whats the jealous emoticon)

Second welcome to Alchemist, great looking setup.

Third where are Jamberoo and Bellawongarah?

Stuart

South Coast - Illawarra NSW.... about 40km south of Wollongong, 40km north of Nowra.

I'm in Gerringong... about halfway between the two places.

I thought Jamberoo sounded familar

Welcome Al. Would kill for that greenhouse and would also love to have a window on my tank :-).

How much did Wilson charge for the polystyrene DWC troughs Have you used his method of covering the lid with a shrink wrap plastic (or maybe that was already done when supplied)?

Hi Veggie Boy,

I built the greenhouse and the troughs (and the whole aquaponics system) myself but to operational guidelines from Wilson. I didn't buy any equipment from Wilson but gained a lot of useful advice from ad-hoc consultancy.

I have attached a photo of the polyhouse. I decided to use hardwood pallets for the wall and trough framing together with a concrete block base because the ground beneath had only about 100mm max dirt over rock since I live near the top of a mountain.I then lined the hardwood framing with polystyrene which I cut to size (no gluing) and put a pond quality PVC liner inside that I have attached a photo. I hope I can resize it OK but I expect this text will still be too long to read without scrolling?

The tank was an ex-R&D one from Aquasonics in Taree which they just happened to have for sale when I called in. They put the window in but having plumbed the base of another larger fish tank from scratch I reckon that many could install a window with a few tools like a jig saw, perspex, sealant and stainless bolts.

I have also attached a pic inside the polyhouse of plant growing trials we are undertaking at the moment

Thanks for your interest.

mmmm....... greenhouse.