Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In view of I(C1) have a bit more time and know what questions to ask...

...trying to get a few ideas of time commitment ( )

...could you please give suggestions:

What time consideration should I expect to give to:
maintenance
planting and harvest
new system thoughts
time on the forum
Is there anything else???

What challenges do you think I will have?

The key principles are here and I will follow the rule KISS.
...and all will be good!
Anything else you think maybe useful I would appreciate your input

The sytem will be a 2 bed x 1000l sump/FT (Entertainer??)
another BYAP system via Rupe
(C1 with a view to increase to 5 bed x 3kl ft x 1kl sump )

Thats my bit
Oh yeh - Welcome

Maintenance - very little with byap systems.
Planting and harvest - 1/2 hour on a weekend during summer, less in winter.
time on the forum - lots

... time on the forum ... lots....

Aquaponics in general is essentially very low maintenance... although most of us probably spend quite a lot of time on it... more out of a perverse sense of pleasure than necessity....

In particular ... the BYAP system kits have been developed, trialled and tested over several years to work reliably with minimal supervision and/or interaction....

Plant your plants, sow your seeds, feed your fish.... follow the "golden rules"... and enjoy a quite drink while you watch the fish and plants grow...

Oh... and did anyone mention.... no weeding....

Hey Dad,
Thanks for posting on my behalf...
FYI... i'm new to gardening (something which i had envisioned to start before i turned 30 and introduce my son to and he loves very much! we are in early days yet though... )
So i'm even newer to aquaponics... though over the years i kept having references or visions relating to different new ways of growing food...always been interested- grateful now technology has advanced... and many have forged the path for us...
I've been focussing for a while now on ways to reduce what comes in, reuse in fun ways what packaging/materials we have, conserve energy (buying green elec but also looking to invest in solar etc in near future) and working with the neighbours to help out each other with our different skills and resources.
Aquaponics to me looks like a natural progression and apart of my wholistic approach which enables me to keep abundance of healthy food, introduce my son (and his friends) naturally to eating what they grow, share with others & give as gifts too hehe, barter/trade (i'm just signing up to Lets Central Coast) and well something to add more to our home space...and put our energy into.
Have an abundance of space... lots of helpers (friends & neighbours) who would enjoy being involved...

So firstly wanted to do some research... and look around the site... and welcome any thoughts/inspired ideas

After all that rambling.. hello to everyone here!

Sandy

And thank you for the responses..

I envision bbq/picnics around the veggies.. lol The neighbour has just put one shade sail up yesterday morning... and thinking of something bigger for the backyard so we can entertain...

Have enjoyed reading and checking out the photos in the forums...

Sandy

Welcome Sandy
I lived in the central coast most of my life, its a great place
I live on the northern end of it now
I think its great what u are tryingto achieve, We have solar power here onto our house in Lake Macquarie and I just love walking out there each afernoon and looking at the meter, I think for this 12 months ending in march we will have generated over 1 million watts of power and with the solar hot water saved a heap more.
We need more water storage and my biggest challenge other than completing my aquaponics system (dont think they are ever finished) is reducing waste coming into the house hold, this week im heading down for a heap of trendy cheap string bags (cheap ones) and give them to the kids and tell them no more plastic bags, slowely wearing them down one step at a time, mind you they may throw me out before I finish my objectives. Anyway great to ear from a local

Bree

Neighbours

Bree,

Lovely to hear from you.

I'm raising my son by myself, he's just turned 5 ready to go off to school new year, (have been up here for 3 years now) have had the great opportunity of introducing him to everything from very early on. We have the green/coloured bags that we take out whenever we go out or buy if we have forgotten (which is always used anyway if not given away to others who can use them) any plastic bags from others (broken ones go to the supermarket bag recycling bin and the useable to the second hand store). Some time ago when there was a power out for a few days (the year before last i think) is when i taught him about energy/electricity and ever since he is aware to turn the lights out of other rooms we aren't in and the powerpoints off when we go out each day. He even checks with me to make sure things are turned off!

I guess we're like a mother son team of sorts, we also like to clean up areas such as parks or if we see something that is nearby to a bin. He's very much focussed at recycling with mummy (because i do everything he just naturally does, he offers or just does things more than i ever ask for help) he also likes that we've started making things out of things.. like planting seeds in a couple plastic containers we had. (i have a few books now with endless inspiration) "Save your money your time your planet" was a recent book released or 'extraordinary uses for ordinary things' is an older publication...

Having the little veggie garden we've created is great my son and i spend much time with it tending to it and being around it each day. Like to stand there sometimes sending love to the plants & soil. it's the first time my son's learnt about growing food... my friend has a big veggie garden so she transplanted a few things and helped us set up. my neighbour is a handyman & carpenter... amazing how he knows how to construct things from scraps of wood etc, though if it's to do with computers i know the ins and outs...

I'm realising on a bigger level the immense resources (and skills) we have in our communities and how we can essentially share and swap when things are needed, so as not to have to buy everything and the joy in helping another out...

Everything gives me much inspiration as a writer... and so happy to start new ways of doing things so that i can support the earth (and my family and the community around me) in a far bigger way! Something that my son may pass on to his friends and/or his own family one day... (but he still has alot of time to play and be a child too)

Many Blessings to you and to all,
Sandy

Sounds like you live in a nice community, enjoy the fun of Aquaponics

Hi again

Sounds like u have it all together, my youngest is now 18 and guess what, u cant teach them anything at that age as they know it all They are good kids though, they have been brought up with animals all there life and that has been great for them, goats, alpacas, dogs, cats, chooks etc, now they are starting to make their own lives with their partners all we can do is to guide then a little.

Bree

Mmm...you speak from experience bree...
...and we couldn't possible know anything
but then they grow up, hey sandy

Bree,

I think sometimes it's just being there for them that matters the most... and trusting that they can think and do things for themselves I have all that to look forward to... i don't mind i love every part of the process. I embrace my son being independant and able to solve problems and find his own way at doing things. Hopefully some things i've shown him growing up will help him out later on in life.. excuse me i'm going off on a tangent... back to Aquaponics

I'm thrilled to start off... and looking for more piccies to check out..

Warm Wishes,
Sandy

You mean you haven't found them all

i have joy in turning 30 next year hey dad ... i suspect every decade will have some sort of joy associated with it... even if that is the joy of being on the earth for a decent amount of time... lol... have you checked out the todae.com.au store it's an eco store

love & light,

sandy