Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

marcus is that a poly tank with the dimensions, 60cm deep and 1.95 metres wide. I am thinking of getting one and would like your opionion of it. I know it is a simple question, but you know.

Hi Nick - I ordered it through my local Reece. It is made by a company called Tankmasta http://tankmastacomau.ozstaging.com/ruralProducts.aspx

It cost $430, with $33 for delivery. The size you quote sounds right - which appears to be larger than the product spec on the website. I found this out once it arrived! About 1365L. Having a large surface area will help with Oxygen exchange.

The issues I have encountered are: getting a fitting to seal the drain without a leak, which I have now done - I should have asked when I ordered it! The other thing was the manufacturer has sealed the second drain which also slightly leaked. I have now covered this with silicon on the outside which should do the job. The base is actually concial (very slightly) which should help with the removal of wastes.

My only only question to resolve is should I lay it on a bed of sand or is it OK on the concrete floor. I am taking a punt the concrete floor is fine!

Plan to have it plumbed in at the weekend. Just waiting on my growbeds!

Careful here - watchb it closely for a while as it could blister as it fills with water from insed (it happened in my one aquarium)... it is always best to seal on the inside as the pressure of the water seems to help maintain a seal.

Marcus, I would think it be okay straight on the concrete - it won't be moving with 1300 litres of water in it (just sweep the floor first), these would be a nice size for grow beds as well.

Nick, if you get one can you advise from whom, noticed Tankmasta doesn't service Qld, so freight might be a bit extra

Les

"M" - you wouldn't mind advising where you got the grow bed from, I've been searching for a similar size

Thanks Les

Hi Les! Don't have it yet, but been ordered for 3 weeks - http://www.aquaponics.net.au/prod1.htm

Hope to have it *very* soon!!

Refer forum member Muzza.

Still awaiting advice on Stocking Levels..... any thoughts out there?

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... .php?t=501

There is also a post around that has growbed to fish and fish to litres, if any one spots it (or you wrote it ) could you please PM me and i'll add it to the FAQ.

AA wrote that 50 litres of grow bed to 1kg of fish

also been looking at water troughs on Tankmasta and Polyworld site

and then there's the 6kg of fish to 100 litres of fish tank, so using 1000 litre tank:

Using those figures for 1,000litres (250 gallon) fish tank:
Maximum fish weight 60kg or 120 nice sized eating Perch
Minimum grow bed area (for maximum fish) – 3,000litres or 2 beds @ 1,500 each or 2 @ 5m*1m*30cm

These are the maximum figures but other factors should be taken into account when sizing the grow beds which would reduce the minimum size to about half:
fish grow at different rates;
survival rate of fingerlings (and pan sized fish)

hope this helps, gotta let work interfere now
Les

Nick, got this reply from Tankmasta:

Thank you for your enquiry. I'm sorry but we don't deliver into Queensland.
Regards...

Sorry Marcus for going a bit off topic

I am looking at getting the poly world tub. I would really like the 5000l job but could not get it in my yard.

I got a quote for the 1500l job for about $450 a few months back. Amm planning on getting one ASAP. Also have a good look at murrays grow beds. I have ordered one today and the whole thing should be running within a month.

Try this link, I think it is almost exactly the same product.
http://www.polyworld.com.au/pools.htm

thanks Nick, noticed Polyworld are down at Chermside, so was going to do a slight diversion tomorrow and visit them

6 kilos to 100 litres is for experts. And it's inhumane. Stock up to 3-4 kilos for 100 litres you'll see, there's PLENTY of fish in the water.

Aquaddict is right, and I'd like to add those figures are for fully grown fish.



any direct floor placement will facilitate heat/cold transfer through the bottom of the tank unless insulated. I place my tank on cinder blocks 2 feet high with a 3/4 inch piece of plywood cut to match the circumfrence of the tank between the blocks and the tank (for increased insulation and support) With a conical tank (unless it is molded flat underneath) it is not possible to set on a flat surface, in which case sand or a stand angled down toward the center is necessary? Anyone?

It may have a built in flat frame but I agree a cone is a cone, and all that other stuff too.