Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well, ive got the go from the wife, so ive started getting prices...

Thought id post them here to get poeples opinions. I do think that the advice to buy online is on the money. Much cheaper.

So far:
I want to create a modular system of 2 * 100 ltr water tanks with about 400 ltrs of growbed. In each of the 100 ltr tanks, I will have 2 different species. Im thinking perch in one, Barra in the other, so the 2 can be compaired for future systems.

Just some prices so far:

$25.00 - 120 Ltr Plastic tub from Big W * 2
$70.00 - 50 Ltrs of Growbed Expanded clay - (is that a good price?) * ?
$10.00 - Barra(each) cants i get them cheaper?
$14.00 - 1kg Barra Pellets
$77.00 - Freashwater Test kit (700 tests) I know i can get this for 35.00 online
$50.00 for pump id say
$50.00 Areator
0.00 Duckweed is free in creek!

I was thinking about the second tank holding heaps of guppies, I used to keep fish as a kid, 5 fishtanks full... that way I can breed them and feed them to the barra

Goldfish I can get 4 for $12.00, but the guppies appeal to me more for food for the barra.

Hi Macca,

$35 would seem to be the going rate for 50 ltr Expanded Clay.

I'm lucky enogh to be able to get mine for $30 pickup from store about 25km away.

Link below... (NSW - maybe you can find someone closer, check freight costs)

[url]
http://www.hydro-aqua-pet.com.au/category69_1.htm
[/url]

and another link $35 (eBay - Sydney)

[url]
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... &rd=1&rd=1
[/url]

Thermometer from the same place ...

[url]
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... &rd=1&rd=1
[/url]

Check Murrays posts as he's been doing this for a while and he's up your way

Have fun

$10 each for the barra? you're buying from an aquarium, aren't you

Speak to muzz about where to buy the barra. For example in an aquarium silver perch are about $7 to $14 for fingerlings, bought in bulk from a hatchery they are $1 to $2

get an air pump online too! $50 will buy you a hard core electromagnetic one that will last YEARS.

Mate - do some more research re: prices. I can recommend www.ageofaquariums.com.au as a good online aquarium product supplier. Some of their stuff is slightly more than on ebay, but they actually provide customer service and will fix up any problems without any issues. They have a shop front - nowhere near you - but that means that they can't hide in the internet (if you know what I mean).

I 2nd "ageofaquariums" - I went there personally and nothing was too much trouble for them.

check prices big time. No way I would pay $10 for a barra, mine only cost 60 cents each from a hatchery. Also, you should be able to get barra food for way less than that. $2 a kilo is what I paid. Check out sites like ausyfish.com or seq fish for fingerlings. Generally quantities are in minimum of 100, but you may be able to find someone here who will go shares

Edit: no .au in web addy. clean this line out after you've read it monya

Oh i agree guys. I was just putting the price if i bouht locally... bummer hey... but i have a credit card...

Min order here from the hatchery is 1000... how do i buy 5 or 10???

hmmmm...

Isnt there aplace down gympie as well?

here's an interesting site, second hand aquaculture equipment
here

Hi,
You could also have a look at a local hydroponics shop for air pumps and scoria/expanded clay pellets. I went on an expedition to one yesterday, scoria $32:00 for a 50k bag, got an air pump (not the fanciest or biggest one) for $16:00 and 'B' had 120lt tubs for $15:00 - might have been $17:00

Just thought id add a few pictures of my proposed system. Still pending approval from the Minister of war and finance, but it will be a few months off.

I also have a 4mb video fully explaining it. Just looking for a way it lets me upload it.

Looks awesome,great drawing to, what are you using.

How easy is it to drill decent holes in glass fish tanks?

Nice use of Google sketchup MACCA... Is that the minister in the back inspecting it all? Keeping an eye on the bottom line no doubt...

VB... Not easy believe me... You need to get some diamond/carbide tip drill bits and step your way up to the size you need. Lubricate it with water all the time and don't let the drill bit get stuck...

VB / TIM

I haven't had any experience in actually doing it, but you can buy diamoned tipped HOLESAWS specifically for glass. that way you can just choose the right size one.

There was a site that had in depth info on doing it right, the basic idea was go slow, use heaps of water (spray from a bottle is fine) and don't rush the last little breakthrough bit.

I've been meaning to get one for ages.