Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well it was a quick visit home from work (200km) to set up the `little experiment'. No problem finding the gear, just a bit of a problem convincing my grandad that I should set it up in his yard. He is a mad gardener but warmed to the idea as he would have to look after it while i was at work.

55L plastic tub, burried in the ground for a bit of heat retention
35L grow bed with fish tank gravel.
1000l/hr pump running 15 minutes hourly.
holes drilled from bottom of GB to top so as water fills up, water starts to pour out of higher holes. Numerous holes drilled just below gravel line so as not to overflow GB.
Piece of fine shade cloth as filter for solids that can be easily removed.

Pictures hopefully below.

This was the site chosen for the first system

This was the first placement of the tank but revised later

Picture of shade cloth in GB filled with gravel and pump. Now just to cart the 55L from the rainwater tank in a bucket, spose the gravel came out of a fish tank so didnt have to wash it.

Rex was pretty keen to see what i was up to, he's my granddads dog.

So the water in and pump running, left it running overnight before getting fish and plants in just to see how it went and to deal with any problems.

System running, fish and a few plants in. Just 2 Goldies and a few parsley plants while it starts up. A few bricks and things to stop any kamakazi styles, and also to stop the splash of water getting lost.

So I am back at work and can only get reports of what is going on. Apparently fish are happy with it all and plants are still alive. A good thing is that working away in a hospital makes you have plenty of patients (ha nurse joke)
I will be heading to Kalgoorlie on thursday so might try catch up with anyone up there looking to show a newbie how its done. Will buy a test kit up there hopefully cause Esperance is a bit lacking in that department.
I have bought Joels book but havent received as yet, so will be looking forward to some reading.
Just gunna let the settup cycle so i get some bugs before going nuts because i cant be there to look after it. Also got plans already for bigger system, just have to wait till i get some decent time off.
Comments, Questions?

Well you did ask ????

" 55L plastic tub, burried in the ground for a bit of heat retention"
I'm not popular questioning this theory ,, but may i ask the temp of the soil and the ideal temp of your fish species. If the soil is 14C and fishes like 23C ,, it's actually a heat LOSS , a major loss.However ,, if your doing trout or something like that ,, the 14 C is all good, VERY good.

MOST importantly did grandad have a beer and a smile?

he's a non drinker, so he had a coke and a smile

I spose i was going for the gravity issue here as well, i was never planning to heat the tank so i figured in the ground is better than the 10 or so degrees above ground due to the wind chill. I will grab a thermometer so i can see whats going on when i get back.

Well done Wolfy.
Nice neat little experimental system. Looks like you have done your homework.
Joels book is a good read as is the magazine.
You'll be building a bigger and better setup in no time

I'll bet he wants one now.

Onya Wolfy, be prepared to be addicted

Wow, thats a lot of discussion for a tiny little system, i love it. I think the topic needs its own thread so i will leave it there.

I am only getting phone reports about the system so no photos sorry guys. My granddad has put some lettuce in he tells me, so hopefully they will survive while the tank is cycling, he tells me it was only a few but with him you can never tell.

Off to Kal tomorrow so get to see OBO system later in the week, hope to get some tips.
And yes folks I have already been planning the next system, but will be happy to let the little one go till established in order to transplant the good bugs over to the new system.
Thanks for all the encouragement it is great to have the support from you guys when people continually ask why i am doing it.

I am sure we can fit Gnash's system in as well

The question as to why stop, once people see foot long trout swimming around, and foot long beans hanging off the vine

Where did the rest of this thread go?
(or am I getting it confused with another)
Just curious...

Found it.
Moved to General System Discussions - Insulating and Burying tanks

Shoulda been called 'Arguing with chappo'

hehehe...nice to know there are others of similar persuasion