Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am in the process of building an Aquaponic system - I live in Melbourne and it will be housed in the garage - just installed a lasterlite [window] in the roof which the grow bed will sit under. The gravel is about 7mm.

The system will have a 1365L tank with a Grundfos pump and a 2m x 1 m grow bed. The pump will probably have to rest on a breeze block. I am taking a punt that the grow beds will be here by next weekend. I have ordered my Grow Bed from Muzza.

Next week pending delivery of the grow beds, I plan to plumb it all in. Already have one leak in the 'test set up'!!

Welcome the thoughts of other members, escpecially on stocking levels (was thinking 50/50 mix of Murray Cod and Silver Perch) and any "must have" tips from everyone experience.

Will aim to post more pictures next weekend.

More pics - the roof on the garage to allow light for the brow beds and the 600Kilo of gravel!!

I think the fishies will like living in that tank. looks good.

Welcome Marcus!
I either read here or somewhere else that it is good to put teflon tape on once, tighten, then apply a second bit. Haven't had a need to try that yet but maybe it will help? How about clear silicone? Maybe paint the whole skylight area white to get as much as possible down to the plants.

Are you going to grow those special type of toms dude

I don't think it is a good idea to mix the perch and Murray cod, as the murray cod can be aggressive. Just from what I've heard and read.

Welcome Marcus

cool, another one for the melbourne crew

Nice Marcus.....

Your stocking density will depend on how many growbeds your having? How many were you planning for?

Hi EB! At this point one (2m x 1m x 30cm) - your thoughts on stocking?

nice looking setup (so far anyways).. looking forward to seeing more as your system progresses!

Marcus,

Congratulations on your new venture. You seem to be off on the right track. Since your tank has a side drain (like mine) I have successful experience building a center standpipe (makes drainage more efficient) and I would suggest the thought of a sump tank for that pump. You are definately headed in the right direction. This is an incredibly rewarding venture.

Mike

Mike - I like the thought of using a centre standpipe for drainage from the fish tank, but am concerned about the ability of this to sufficiently remove any accumulated solids from the tank. Can you explain what you have done to achieve this and whether your circulating pump helps in this respect. Also, do you have problems with floating pellets heading down the standpipe before the fish gobble them, or do you only use sinking?

VB - I posted a sketch that might help explain the center pipe on my system thread. Basically the water is circulated around the outer diameter of the tank which creates a cyclone effect toward the center of the tank. even though the pump outlet is at the surface, it affects the bottom as the entire tank swirls. eventualy solids gather near the center and are sucked up through the center stack. The distance between the center pipe and outer pipe is constricted to exaggerate the velocity moving up the stack. The downforce is the water falling downward through the center drain.

I use semi floating AquaMax. But it doesn't matter. The fish eat it fast before it sinks, and the outer pipe sits higher than the center pipe so water level is always flush with the center/inner pipe. Make sense?

Hi Michael - can you direct me to your skecth - it sounds interesting.

Yes Marcus.... here's where the sketch is, and the actual picture is on page 2 of the same thread

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... .php?t=504