Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day Tim and all the AP mob out there.
We have just set up our ap system using 2 x 10,000 litre tanks and have 90x 130mm barra in each one we choose Barra as we had one in a fish tank as a pet. We caught him when he was 25 mm long at the begining of one wet and at the begining of the next wet he was 450mm long.

They are extermly hardy and can handle a fair range of water conditions, that's why we decided to go with Barra in our set up.

We are currently using 10 grow beds and are trying a lot of different veggies in them,

Welcome to the madness Mustard, you have the ideal temps to grow barra too -being a newbie, you need to sit and pass the following tests before graduating to a fully fledged BYAPer

Gravel washing
Pics of system

You are the frst darwin AP'r as far as i know

Lotsa big greeen leafy vegies for you!

Welcome Mustard.... just love your neck of the woods.... and your system sounds epic. pics please



That's gunna be a challenge for you.... anything green gets eaten overnite up your way doesn't it???

C'mon Mustard, let's see some images !!

G 'day all you AP mob sorry for not getting back sooner but as we have been finishing of all the jobs (Job 1076 of 3872920 Ha Ha) around the place since the new house was built we have been busier than a one legged man in a arse kicking comp. Pardon the french.

We have had the system running now for just a few days short of a month the fish have grown about 25 mm since then.

The water has cleared up (No more green soup) as I have put up shade cloth to stop sun on the water but not to shade the side of the tank.
Keep it warm keep them feeding

The levels are now great, 7.2 ph, Our tap water is 7 Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, nitrate is a bit high at 40 but should come down further as the plants grow.

The vegies are starting to take off. The asian vegies doing best in the green leafy dept although the cos lettuce are also doing well. and tomato eggplant chilli and capcicums are doing great

The only exception for the moment are the silverbeet and spinach. that the catapilliars are munching on , Listen carefully and you can probably here them.(Little bastards) and some not so little D'OH !!!
A few grass hoppers but they are fairly doughy and easy to catch and the chooks and ducks make short work of them

Any ideas on how to combat these little beggars with out just looking for and killing them ???

I have plenty of pics if you could please tell me how to upload them i'll post them up.

Well I had better make a move job 1077 needs attending to

Thanks for the heads up for that spray will get some shortly

Dipel is safe to use around fish (use as a spray on the leaves) - Bunnings sell it (not sure if they are that far north yet )...or some of the nurseries might sell it

Yep big bunnings up there - +1 for dipel, yates brand, in the gardening sprays section.

Those pesky bugs will soon meet their maker.

As the King of Rock 'N' Roll would have said "Thanguvrymuch"