Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all. This message is aimed at Brisbane members.

I am really keen to get myself a 5000 litre aquaculture tank (round poly).

I sourced one a month ago which was going to cost me a bit over $900 including freight. Problem is this has now increased greatly (over a month) to over $1200 due to increases in the tank and freight (freight is from Innisfail).

I can get the tank itself for $825 and I am assuming that freight for multiple tanks would pretty much be the same as for one, as they could stack inside each other. So is anybody in Brisbane in the market for a 5000 litre poly aquaculture tank. If a couple or even more get in together on this then the price will be reasonable (say $1000).

Prices of tanks are increasing every couple of weeks due to water crisis, so it is important I think to act now, even if you feel you will not get the tank fully operational for another 6 months.

Let me know.

BTW - from memory tanks are about 2.5 metres diameter and 1.2 metres high - give or take. Can give exact specs if anyone is interested. If nobody else is in, I'll be going it alone I expect - so have a real good think about it to save some dosh and get a flash system going.

VB, I was going to get one of their larger aq tanks, they look to be very nice pieces of kit

Hi VB, I have sent you a PM re this.
I wonder about the wisdom of going for big tanks. I am thinking, at the moment anyway, that one would be better off with smaller tanks like those IBC's or similar.
I can see the need to have a second batch of Jades coming along about 6 months between them in age, and some Murray Cod, and some Golden Perch etc and they all need to be kept apart. I suppose one could do that in a big tank by using cages of some sort.
For and against,
Cages might be best as they will all share the same water etc and cut down on costs for pumps etc.
Then they can all share the same health problems if there are any.
Bigger systems take longer to cycle
Bigger systems are more stable

It is a difficult question to answer as it is costly if one goes the wrong way....once again,there is wisdom in starting small and growing in small managable steps. Ones ideas and needs change as more experience is gained.

Muzza

VB, there are only 2 of us in our house and I couldn't justify something that large, the price is interesting though a 2,000l water trough (2.4m diam * 600mm) = $570

Yeh, it's a hard thing to decide. Quite frankly if I knew I could get one of your tanks within 4-8 weeks I'd probably go with that option. Love those tanks and could progress to the 5000l for my next system.

Sorry I'm going to just contribute although I am not in Brisbane,,,or anywhere near for that matter.

Murray brought up an interesting point that I would like to expand. Even if you keep one species, you would likely attempt breeding at one point, thus requiring seperation. I have one big stock tank with several smaller tanks stocked with fish at varying stages of growth. I wish Murray was in my neighborhood I'd start buying fiberglass products from him. You can't beat the cost of a big poly tank, but support tanks will enable you to breed free fish. All my tanks are tied to the same water. I dont have time to manage water quality more than I already do.

mf, you're comments are welcome no matter where you come from, breeding of fish (Aus native), requires hormone injections or summit like that, so I have ruled that out personally - how ever - redclaw/crayfish are a different matter and looking at the feasability of combining redclaw breeding with fish growing and veggie contributions using the same water volume.

Damn - EB has a lot to answer for

Hi Murray

Where are you sourcing your Murray Cod and Yellow Bellies from?

I know of sources in Southern NSW & Victoria. Are you using a source closer to home?

Gnoll110

Woo Hoo

I just found SEQfish and they got both!

I figure if I can get a system that produces Cod and/or Yellow Belly working, I'll have a problem stopping my father taking it over!

Gnoll110

Hi Gnoll, sorry mate - thought you were aware of SEQFish, its nice and handy for us native qlders who are allergic to cold, polititians and the freezing weather

Hi EKB

No worries mate. Today is the first time I've considered fish species. So I have only just started thinking about sources.

Up until now, I've been considering hardware mainly. Have been giving growing media & structures some thought too.

Once I started thinking about fish species, it took about 5 seconds to decide the first two candidate species! Let the research begin!

I will take the advice I've read in an old thread, use a 'junk' species (Goldfish or Crap) while the bacteria stabilize.

Gnoll110

Hi Gnoll,

Re Murray Cod, I actually have 250 on order from a hatchery in Vic, but I did not write their name down/cant find it, to check on the progress...they are due here anyday, so I would like to give them a call

Can you PM me the names of the hatcheries of Murray Cod in NSW/Vic that you know of, it might help me overcome my slackness.

I think the best mob to get Yellow B from will be Ausyfish at Childers, They have a couple of different strains of YB.
If you are interested in talking to them here is their contact details.
Ausyfish Pty Ltd
P. O. Box 324 Childers Qld
Ph 07 4126 2226
And they are nice and helpful people to deal with.

I don't think they have any new season YB as yet, but you could get an order in perhaps.

Muzza

Hey EKB,

I noticed you weren't interestred in hormone injecting fish. Catfish can't be induced to breed with hormone and still have to have breed the old fashion way (with a nest). If you are interested in being able to spawn your own little ones, maybe Catfish are worth taking a look at.

Cheers,

Duncan.

Thanks for that Duncan - will do some more research