Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi folks

My father and I have started up an aquaponics with one grow bed and 1000 l tank/pond. We got some barramundi finglerlings about 1st December (20). We lost a few due to high amonia spikes we think. Dad had the water tested at aquarium places and we now have our own test kit.
So we have about 15 or so left. Currently I have wrapped the pond which is about ground with about a 40-50mm foam skin. This is the spongy type foam used for upholstry etc, on one side is a condensed layer which is waterproof. I put this to the outside with the softer foam on inside as insulation. When we empty the pond we will put it onto a polystyrene layer to insulate the bottom (next lot of fish or we shift). The pond is under the grow bed. I have also put a piece of polystyrene (20mm) on top of the pond to keep in heat. With a couple of odd bits to cover up remainder over night. I have 2 x 300w heaters in pond which has maintained the pond between 22-24 degrees.
We only feed the fish when they come out, waiting to be fed which means they don't always get fed every day. We've found the tend to like feeding with the water running back in from grow bed and in the afternoon. They are fed on the pellets.
So far there is a huge difference in sizes. Initially they were between 75-100mm in length (beginning Dec) and are now between 100 -250mm in length. Some of the smaller ones I see eating the pellets so aren't sure why there is such a difference in size.
I've enclosed the growbed in light plastic too to see if I can get the temperature higher.
Oh, and I've also put in an inverted rectangle ceramic or terracotta pot (ontop of couple of bricks) and put one heater through one of the holes, with an air pump stone at other end. The water from grow beds enters nearby to flush the under part of pot. Fish seem to like it.
Karina

Welcome, and some pics would be good.

You are aware of the extremely high cost that running these heaters is going to have? Your fish will end up owing you $50 each by the time they are full grown.

Very low cost if done properly ..... nighttime heating 600 watts is 0.6 kw/h ,, if you select the correct power plan options ,, that is 3 CENTS per hour.

How do you select the right plan????
Are you running a power point off the off peak electrical line for the hot tank?

NO need for ILLEGAL taking OFF-Peak power .. It is available at same price for all you usage when sxelecting the smart-meter plans. The smart meter knows what time of day it is and charges you ast that pricing.
If you have the ability to minimise usage during PEAK times ,, afternoon ..... then it works out super cheap.
Set the dishwasher to turn on at 10pm ,, set the washing machine to start at 6 am ,, HEAT your fish from 10pm-7am ...
There have been two price hikes lately ,, now it is 8 cents per KWH ,, still VERY VERY cheap.
Heres the costs ,, look at SMART power off-peak
http://www.energy.com.au/energy/ea.nsf/ ... e+2009.pdf

The SMART meter installation is FREE. Took only 3 days from me asking and them installing

Chappo,
I believe it does cost us some $$$ for the installation of the SmartPower Meter over here in WA.
I think it also does cost more than 8c/hr atm for offpeak smartpower. Price hike in Apr 09 and Jul 09.

http://www.synergy.net.au/Residential_Segment/SmartPower/SmartPower_Savings.html

Says 7.2 cents per KWH in the very link you supplied ( different page)
http://www.synergy.net.au/Residential_S ... Power.html
Blinken cheap:)

Well the bottom of that chart stated as of October 2007. We had a price hike in Apr 09 and Jul 09.
I tried looking for the new offpeak price but could not find it but I doubt that Synergy would give up an
opportunity to raise the pricing for the Smartpower users as well if they are raising the energy tariffs
across the board.

Anyways Karina, sorry about hijacking the thread to a Smartpower discussion if you are not at all concerned
about the energy cost to start with.

G'day people

Thanks for that info on power. Running at night with heaters on rather than during day. Lucky we have sunshine most days and the black plastic warms up air during day.
I am puzzled why fish don't seem to eat every day though. Is it difference in temperature, day light hours? Sometimes they eat couple of times a day over few days then seem to have a day or two off. Mind you sometimes I think they don't eat when disturbed.

Regards Karina

You have to sneak up on them to feed. If they see you peering into the tank they wont eat as much.

Once the fish are well sttled in, they will take food no matter what, just takes a month or so.

Doesn't barramundi like a bit of variety as well? Live food?? Small yabbies? Small feeder fishes?

Prolly Iv, but they just like to eat, so it doesn't matter what.
I'd say there was a link between the eating and the water temps.
There may still be a luna influence

The warmer the water, the better the Barra feed. They go crazy @ 28 - 36 oC for there food