Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hi all,
hoping some of you can help with a few newbie questions.i`m planning to build a large greenhouse on our not yet built house but cant wait till then so will trial a mini system outside our caravan.couple of things i`m still unsure of;
1)how often does water need to be cycled if near maximum stocking rate.
2)will water obtain enough aeration by pouring on gravel surface or will i need an aerator in fish tank.
3)would love to have stickybeak at other members`systems.we are in shepparton victoria until april then heading north to bowen queensland,most likely inland route till brisbane.if you`re nearby and available please let me know.
thanks muchly,relic

Hi relic and welcome to the forum:
1) if you are a newbie, don't even try to get near maximum stocking density until you have some experience behind you....start small and build into it.

You can have large tanks and lots of GBs just don't fill the tank up with fish until you understand the workings...3 times/hour is ideal but most of us work around water turnover of once/hour.

2) Yes - but I work on having several steps in aeration...you can't have too much aeration (unless you inject O2 - which is not recommended)

3) I'm a bit far from Bowen, but you're welcome to visit and check out my system

Once you get set in Bowen, you are more than welcome to hike up to the "big Town" (Townsville") and we can show you around ours

As Les said, Can't really have too much aeration.

More turnover in water will probably help the plants out as well, it gets a bit warm up here, and stop the droops in the hot weather.

Axl

thought that was what the alcohol did

Well you drink more in the summer

welcome relic. make sure you read the info sections, lots of good stuff there.

make sure you understand the nitrogen cycle and cycling too.

start off with a small number of fish AND a few test kits.

the water returning to the tank can be set up so it provide max air by splashing which should be enough, but the fact that you cant have too much means that an air pump is cheap insurance.

thanks for the replies guys,we could fit a brizzy stopover in and usually get to townsville during bowen run.i guess good old goldfish would be ideal 1st time stock,would like to try a few yabbies too in separate container.as you say,get vegies happening 1st.well thanks again,plenty of new stuff to keep me awake.