Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Geoff
I've heard the same theory about Spangled perch burying in mud and in Central Australia we have pretty dry periods like last year when our total rainfall was 73mm there weren't too many waterholes didn't dry up so can't see how they could survive any other way, some say they lay their eggs in mud but this wouldn't account for the large numbers of fish that are seen immediately after heavy rain, some are around 75mm +
Like you, I'm keen to see how they perform I especially like the idea that they may potentially breed which is another step in closing the loop.
Hope you are able to obtain some keep me posted

I was supposed to get some this month from Australian Native Fish Enterprises in QLD, but after buying a few more pumps and some trout from Rupe, I'm all out of cash (and favour with the boss). Hopefully next month I'll be getting them. Priced pretty well too at $150 per 100, and they seem to have plenty. They might be good source of info on breeding as them as well?

Hi Geoff
Looks as though it's Rupe's fault I bet he feels bad!!!!
If you get to Alice in the next week or two the rivers and water holes are full and sure you will catch heaps of Spangles with the price of fuel they may be a little costly but think of it as a holiday or a research trip!

Would love to desertrat, but the time off work and the fuel cost would make them far too expensive for me! I sure do love the water holes in the outback....especially the dry country. You never know what you'll find.

DR, go looking for the story of Pav in my system thread he was a spangle

Thanks Jamie will take a look

Sounds like it was real holiday camp for Pav (like to know how a fish got that name)
I told a friend the other day that I had a few Spangles, several years ago he had several in a tank and progressively one kept getting bigger as the number of fish totally disappeared.
So far this hasn't happened hopefully they will remain happy with the food that I supply.

Pav was Pavlov's Fish Every time we went near the tank he begged for food He was also a savage little bugger who ate many rainbowfish

Great read and great system DR
Love the way you have used pipe and those fence pipe connectors to make stands for the growbeds. I cant weld to save my life so this is a great idea , much thanks

Thanks Mantis
Although I am a welder (many years ago) I prefer to use the clamps as it allows greater flexability if you ever want to add or move a system.
Unfortunately I cannot take the credit for this idea, I first saw the clamps being used on one of the forum members system (Worms).
viewtopic.php?t=1415
Shows the value of this forum and how members are full of it (ideas that is!!!)

DR,
How are you finding the tubs going with the supports just along 3 or 4 edges and filled with gravel?
Not cracking over time or anything?

Hi Privatteer
The bath seem to be holding up well the edges don't have any signs of fracturing or cracking of the enamel which is where you might expect to see any stress
In the near future I intend replacing the gravel in the first set of baths as the gravel was a little too small, not something I'm too enthusiastic about but it will give me an opportunity to check the state of the enamel. Will keep you posted. It may be worth asking 2 other members Gemmel and Worms they have bath systems that have been set up longer.

Mine (viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3126) are supported underneath rather than by their sides. I was told that when they install them in bathrooms they lay a base of concrete and most of the weight sits on that - the edges are just for niceness and not weight bearing. I also lined mine so that it doesn't matter about any potential leeching (and it adds thermal insulation).

Thanks, the 2 I got are fiberglass so I think I will add some support underneath.

Wow!
I really love what you have done, your enthusiasm is mind blowing.
thanks and keep up the great work!
Dale