Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi there,

I have been reading the various posts for almost two weeks now. I initially got the idea of AP from a friend who directs the water from his fish pond to a container where he grow vegetables for his family consumption. I have always wanted to have a pond in backyard, hence the additional benefit of being able to grow vegetables at the same time started me thinking. As he did not introduce the idea to me as AP, I started looking down the path of how I can somehow hook the pond up to hydroponic equipment. Obviously at this stage, I was only working on the concept only, no equipment yet.

It was not until one day that I dropped into a hydroponics shop and discuss growing fish and vegetable together that the guy there pointed me to Backyard Aquaponics.

Since then, I started to realise that it is Aquaponics, AP. That is not the only thing that I realised. I realised that there are lots of people already doing it. I am not alone. In fact, there seems to be lots of information in the forum.

Anyway, I would like to drop a post to thank everyone here for sharing. I will be looking at setting up my AP system shortly. Any good advice where to start?

Ivan.

Start reading, prolly first piece of advice
Members systems,. types of systems,
what you are trying to achieve (ie feeding how many)
...Space you have available
and we love pics

Oh welcome BTW.
That name sounds very familiar

Welcome welcome!!!!!!

Yep lots of people already doing it! I'm sorry though, you have probably already been totally infected with the addiction without even knowing it, I'm afraid there is no cure. But at least it is a wholesome pastime that can keep one out of other kinds of trouble

Reading the top sections of the forum Basic info and useful info can give you a good basic understanding of many of the processes involved. Then it might be wise to pick a couple/few of the long member systems threads and read them through (if you can mention what type of system you are most interested in, perhaps one of us can direct you to a members thread that most closely matches what you wish to do and therefore let you learn form other members experiences.)

While doing all the reading, start thinking about what types of fish and plants you most want to grow, what kind of space and budget you want to dedicate to the project, how much DIY you want to do or if you want to buy a prefab system, and also pay attention to your climate and if you will need a greenhouse, shade cloth heating or cooling to take care of your desired fish/plants.

Good Luck and welcome again

It's as addictive as crack (only a lot better for you)
Welcome to the addiction

Hi Creative1,

Thanks for your reply. I have an area of 4.6m x 3.2m that used to be a vege patch that I would like to convert to lay out some growbeds. Having a vege patch was a great idea but the weeds moved in and the rest was history. Are aquaponics growbeds prone to weeds as well?

Well currently we are 2 adults and 1 baby, so we don't really need to feed a lot. Then again, I don't really know how much we need anyway.

Well although we are constraint by budget, I would like to setup a system that is at least decent so that I don't need to keep repairing/maintaining it. I don't mind upgrading the system over time. What sort of system would you recommend for a beginner?

Well do you know another Ivan?

Ivan.

If I was you... I'd drop down to the BYAP shop in Jandikot, talk to Joel & Faye... and have a look at the BYAP kit systems on display...

By the way... welcome...

Hi TCLynx,

Thanks for your reply. I think you might be right. I think about it almost everyday and cannot wait to start somewhere but then again, I don't want to jump right in only to find out that I need to redo everything again.

I will start reading on the Basics... and then hopefully I will be able to know what systems are available to know what system I want.

Thanks,
Ivan.

Hi Ivan,
Workshops are also a great way to get a look and feel for what you need to know and there are a few coming up over the next couple of months in Jandakot if you are interested. We will cover the basics of fish, plants, systems, design and maintenance.

BYAP Kits

Yea, you are lucky over there, ya got the BYAP shop as a resource and they got some great looking kits.

Aquaponics definitely has a benefit of weeds not being able to come up from underground runners. If lots of seeds land in your grow beds, you might need to pull the unwanted seedlings out but that is really easy compared to invasive grasses comming up in your veggie garden. I've not had any real problem with weeds in the AP beds. The odd occasional self seeded tomato seedling or other odd seed that managed to land in the beds, more of a novelty than a problem. "Hum I wonder what that is growing there, I don't remember planting it?"

Hi RupertofOZ and Outbackozzie,

I have already visited the BYAP shop and had a look at the displays. I think finally I will be getting a BYAP kit
but just not sure about the size of the kit. Also I have been reading in the forums about having sumps.

Besides being able to have another tank for other fishes, etc, what is the purpose of the sump?

Hi Faye,
Thanks for your reply. I have already emailed you about the course a week or two ago. Was thinking about coming along for the one of June 13. Is that full yet?

Hi TCLynx,
Yes, and it is only recently that I found out that they are not far from my home.

Thanks for your input regarding weeds. I certainly don't want weeds in my AP beds. Well one good thing about the BYAP beds are that they are raised rather high. So hopefully it will be harder for weed seeds to reach.

Still a few places left for the workshop in June Ivan.

weeds generally are not a problem in AP. Well until you do something like plant mint in a grow bed and then later decide you don't like it THAT MUCH but by then it's already taken over the bed. (Stuff like mint or other very aggressive spreading plants should be contained or given their own small grow bed.)