Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Started my second small system today. I had a very small system running for several weeks off an old fish pond but couldn't resist building something a little bigger. Still have some plumbing and tidying up to do but at least the water has started circulating. Water is currently really dirty as some of it came from the old pond, i guess it will clear in time.

The goldfish seem happy with their new home. I hope to get a small number (15 ish) of Silvers Perch in a few weeks when the system gets going.

Any feedback and suggestions gratefully received.

GEEZE `and slack old me is yet to kick-off my first:(

fishfodder , could you update your profile and incluse location ? I think it wsill help people give you advice when they have an idea of your general climatic conditions.

Cheers abd i look forward to system 3 ,, 10,000 litre minum ROFLMAO

Excellent work FishFodder... Especially for somebody as young as you seem to be from that second photo. Can you tell me what the function of the yellow crate is?
Your water will clear, it may take longer than you expect. Make sure you have a test kit, and that your water is top notch, and your GB are full of beneficial bacteria. Only after you are certain of water conditions, would I put delicate fish in your system. (By delicate I mean not goldfish SP are pretty hardy)

Gravel washing screen

Thanks for the tips.

I have some of the test kits (Ammonia, PH, and Nitrite), don't have the Nitrate kit but will soon.

Good guess on the gravel washing screen. My little helper just had to get involved with the gravel washing.

Hi fodder. Building something a little bigger is not optional but mandatory.
Put a heating wand in ur tank when u get the silvers, it will keep them eating and growing over winter.

Did some tests today, results were as follows:

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

PH 7.2

Still haven't got a Nitrate test but will get one tomorrow.

The small system I had running before was a small fishpond of around 40 litres. The pond had been in our back yard for about a year with 2 goldfish in it and I added another 6. I had the small black grow bed running off that system. I ran that system for around 6 weeks and each time I tested the water I got the same result as those above. The goldfish were eating but I never got any rises in ammonia or nitrite.

Could this be because the pond was already mature with an established ecosytem and bacteria:?:

I now have about 400 litres of water, should I get some more fish or will the current 9 do the trick:?:

Thanks in advance.

PS Thanks for the heating wand tip twintragics2. I think I am going to have to forget the solar power dream and install some external power points.

Your system looks nice and compact. So do you have plans for the next bigger system?

Hi DanDMan

Sure do, we will probably expand this unit by at least one more grow bed to get it closer to a 1:1 ratio when my fish get bigger. However we are a little limited in space as we live in a 2 bedroom townhouse with a small backyard.

Hopefully we will be moving to a house in a couple of years and then the expansion really begins. At least 2000 litres of water and heaps of grow beds.

Good for you! Dont forget to consider vertical space since you are limited by ground space. A few lettuce trees or strawberry towers could add a lot more grow space.

I have been testing my system everyday with the 9 goldfish but still haven't got any readings.

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 0

PH 7.2

Water temp 15 (bit chilly). I read somewhere in this forum that bacteria slow right down below 18 degrees, is that right? I guess that would explain part of my problem. I painted my blue drum black to help with heat absorbtion but will probably end up with heating rods in one of my tanks.

I was going to add some Seasol to my system to help the plants. Not sure how much I should add to the 400 litres of water I have?

It may be a little bit early in the process but I got 15 small SPs today, they were cheaper than goldfish, 25 dollars for 15 fish and a small bag of fish food.

I don't know were others around Wollongong get their fish but the bloke I got mine from was very friendly and helpfull. He was happy to sell small numbers of fish to anyone willing to pick them up.

Your Grow Bed may very well be cycled since you had it attached to your pond, As long as your not going to freezing I would not worry about killing off any bacteria. Let the fish be your guide.

easy on the feed. At 15c with 25 silvers you will only need a teaspoon or so per day, afternoons are better than mornings.

Did you get them from John out at Jamberoo?.... skygazer is picking up a few today/tomorrow as well

Thats the fella. Very nice chap.

I asked him about his round firbreglass tanks because I have had trouble finding any decent sized fibreglass tanks over here. John thinks the company may have gone out of business. Bit of a shame if they have because they were in Penrith, not too far from The Gong, Sydney or other east coast APers.

I did manage to find some IBCs from the drum recyclers for $200 each.

No food for fishies for a few days was Johns suggestion, then maybe 1/2 a teaspoon every other day.