Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

New Member from Adelaide SA.

Looking to start my first system. Ordering equipment now and trying to work out the best fish to go with for a first timer.

Looks like a forum full of great info!

Hi Bubba, welcome to the forum. If you want to cycle you system use some cheap, hardy fish....like goldfish

Heka

Gold fish a easy and a good choice.
You could also go for the silver perch.
They taste better than goldfish.

Welcome

Welcome. Goldies are pretty hardy and always leave some fish in the system after you harvest the eating fish.

+1

At this time of year my choice is trout. I have never lost any fish, stocking them in a new system ,as long as the
stocking densities are within limits.We have cycled systems in 4 weeks without fish losses. Just don't overfeed as soon as they move in and make sure there are some plants already there as well as bacteria from an established system. It is very simple.

+1

Welcome,

How big a system are you planning.
Trout, Silver Perch or Goldfish are all good choices, assuming you start with sensible quantities.

Looking at a 1000L tank and prob around 500L of grow bed to start with. I like the idea of some goldies in that I wouldnt need to feel too bad about if I mess up early, though getting started on something that has an eventual date with a BBQ would be nice. If I look to have tanks and grow beds in place within say 3 weeks, with cycling time am I likley to get a crop out of trout before the weather gets to hot? I'd love to go with a fish that will grow over the winter but will I have time this late in the year?


Faye you suggest using bacteria from an established system. Is that something a first timer can achieve?

Shouldn't have a problem getting a batch of trout through Bubba....

Hi Bubba,
We have set up plenty of systems in the last 2 years and with the volumes of water that you said -1000l fish tank and 500 litre growbed this is what we do. Set up the system and plant growbed with an assortment of seedlings-eg celery, silverbeet, lettuce, spinach, parsley, beetroot, cauliflower etc. Add some seeds if you like, add bacteria from an established system (free of disease.) Growing fish such as trout I would suggest 20-25 fingerlings, feed sparingly for the first month eg 1 spoonful per day. The system usually goes through a greening cycle, quite natural and looks like lime cordial, don't worry and do not feed. It will magically clear and you can increase feeding. Warning cover your tank as trout will launch themselves in search of flying insect as dusk. They are great fun. I ate my first ever trout at 4 months.
Many people have successfully followed this course without killing fish. Just let nature take its course. Warning-It will not necessarily help you to go to an aquarium shop for advice as many of them do not understand the relationship to the plant growing side of things. Have patience and you will learn and enjoy. Not everyone will agree with me on some aspects but that is just like gardening -we all have different ways of doing things that work for us.

At 4 months old i was still on mothers milk

Is there a commercial source for bacteria from established systems or do I invets in beer/scotch/chocolate and schmooze a local?

Schmoozing not necessary Bubba... but beer/scotch/choclates... will get you an invite to most places...