Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello, and what a great site. I live on the NSW side of the Murray river half way between Swan Hill and Echuca in Australia. My climate is semi arid and have been experiencing temps over 40 degrees C this summer already. My system is outside and shaded in the afternoons from around 2pm onwards. My water temps have risen to 27 degrees C. I found once I cycled my grow beds day/night temps had a larger envelope.

I have just started experimenting with aquaponics and found this site. I have constructed a raft system from an 1850 litre stainless steel milk vat and 5 tubs I made from 1000 litre caged water containers. I cut down the containers and they hold around 350 litres each. I cut the caged frames to open access on two sides and the rest acts as trellis for climbing plants. I cycled the system for nearly 8 weeks with yabbies and small bait fish before I removed them and put in 140 Murray cod. I planted 2 weeks later with just over 40 seedlings in 3 of the tubs, all up I will get around 100 plant spaces when fully planted. most plants have taken well and around 3 died, some of which were poor quality to start with. They have been in for 4 weeks and I have varied results. Some plants have yellowed and I rectified this with seasol.

I inspected and graded my fish only to find I had just over 40 left. I had around 20 to 30 die over 8 weeks and believe they were stressed by larger quicker growing fish and didn't eat, they were thin when they died. I puchased the finlings at around 2 grams and some (not many) have grown to 35 grams. I believe they have eaten most of the other fish and had rappid growth. The remaining fish are around 15 grams.

I introduced a product called Bio-boost to colinise bacteria and found my ammonia levels have always been low from then on. I found my nitrate levels climb and then fall after I planted my first 40 plants. I have added seasol to raise nitrate levels and reverse the yellowing of some seedlings. Earlier on I tried boiling down 5 grams of urea and adding to my system. It increased the nitrate levels in 24 hrs. I found the level drop and I repeated the process one more time before using seasol. I believe my nitrogen cycle is working well.

I have around 300 smalling finglings in indoor glass tanks I am trying to wean onto pellet food. I am finding most will eat anything and up to 10% are slow and I don't expect them to grow out to a size I can put them into my system. So far in the two weeks I have had 5 die (always thin) and none passed away in the 3.5 hr journey home from the hatchery.

I look forward to exchanging ideas and getting my system to its best.
Happy growing,
Nev.

Sounds great, sorry about the fish deaths, it is all a learning experience. With the plants you may want to add chelated iron (10g per 1000L once a month I think) as you are probably using rain water.

I would love to see some pictures, start a thread under members section.

Cheers

Simo

Hi Nev... and welcome...

Fingerlings should already be on pellet feed before leaving the hatchery... or are you having trouble moving them from a "crumble" to a pellet??

Welcome Nev. We are only a couple of hours from you, so may be able to compare systems one day. We are only new to AP too, although have been involved with aquaculture (mainly goldfish & ornamentals) for many years.
We also used bio-booster initially, as we use it regularly in aquariums, although i dont think it was really necessary. I was just worried by my readings early on, but now know that it was all part of the normal cycling pattern.

good luck with your new fish