Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Look forward to seeing an update in your system thread... and pics... of course...

Yeah just go for it. Throw some urea or humonia in it (In the front yard urea might be better ), get some pond water or pond gunk from someone, and start to get the system ticking over. You could throw a few goldies in to start. We've still got plenty of mild weather left and so you will still be able to get cycled before winter. Just dont go throwing huge amounts of fish in now, wait for about a month before you get the trout.

I'll second that. My ammonia is sitting above 1.0 at the moment. It's been a week and thus far it's only gone up. Getting sick of daily water changes. Definitely don't get too excited and get the fish early. It's heaps less pain just to cycle it without fish, even though it's a bunch less exciting.

What about chucking a couple of carp in there, out of one of the local carp-infested rivers?

I suppose that is fine if you want to ruin all your hard work by introducing more trouble and disease into your system

+1

Get some goldies, when the trout arrive then they have something to play with

H.

Yes, I'd already convinced myself that - however nice some big carp would look - it would be far too risky!!!

As my Dad is always saying, "don't spoil the ship for a hapeth of tar"...

Goldfish it is. Then trout. Can't wait!

Tanks are almost fully drained - hopefully tonight I can complete the cleaning and start the refill process! With TAP WATER

I paid about $1 a fish for my trout, and $0 for delivery, so they're actually pretty darn cheap. If you can get 'em delivered for a couple of bucks or go get them yourself, just get a couple (like 10) - they're definitely way cooler than gold fish, and I'm not sold that gold fish aren't full of disease when you get 'em anyway. Then when it's all cycled up, get the other 90 or whatever you're going to get.

Hmmm... That's a good idea. I wonder if the trout farm will do small batches?

In terms of final numbers, maybe not 90 - I've got a total growbed volume of about 1000L, so at 3kg per 100L that's 40x 750g fish at the end of the season.

Or should I stock it more heavily to promote strong plant growth, then harvest the fish more aggressively as they each reach an edible size?

Plus you may lose a few along the way.

If you can fill the system, de-chlorinate, and get the water temp >20 degrees.
I can give you (or any one else) a few of my Barra to get you started. (they will look cool but probably struggle with the move/low water temps )
I've got more fish than I can eat before the weather cools down!

time to start freezing them or invite some mates around for a bbq

Woohoo, BBQ @ Scotts place

H.

how much louder to we need to wink?

OK, OK
see here
viewtopic.php?p=180855#p180855