Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

wonder if its anyone off the forum :

"Aquaponics kit incl used IBC, 200L GB, 800L tank,150L clay , 3000LPH pump, fittings pipe air pump, hose , airstone, timer thermometer heater (?) pool mat (??) bacteria (?!?) fish food & net
$598 in wilson"

wonder if I can just buy the bacteria ...

If you do a search in "gumtree" there is even a few pictures of it.
http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Business- ... Z198189289
Pretty sure it is some guy who makes them and sells them.
Wonder if he sells many, they look like a nice simple compact unit good for someone who doesnt want to do the work themself and wants something quck.

Indeed, haven't seen him about before...

http://www.simplelifesolutions.com.au/products.html

Clever use of IBC without cutting the metal side framing.
Good use of 'cell' insulation for both heat loss/gain and to protect IBC plastic from UV attack. Has given me an achievable method of using my left over 75mm thick Solarspan panelling!! I've got a spare IBC as well to do it with.

If only the GB on top could be rear hinged to allow good access for fish harvesting/pump cleaning etc?
Could be arranged with an added perimeter piece of say 40x40x2.0 Duragal Angle (top leg out), to loose fit over the top of the IBC frame and then fit rear hinges.
GB Filled with LECA, may not be too heavy . . .mmm?
The plumbing looks a bit rustic but that can be altered and improved and I think I would split the tank into 70/30 rather than the 80/20 as in the photo.(Just personal preference, nothing definitive!).

This has given me a definite direction now with what to do with an IBC and still make it look OK. Bit of drawing to do!!

Thanks for the heads up, Cheers IanK

Perth really is becoming the aquaponics hot spot....

The corrugated tanks? Are they metal? Are they aqualined? they worry me.

Also, it bothers me that so many of the new "system kits" being designed/sold out there have no where near enough grow bed to support the size of tank they come with.

I kinda feel it is important to aim for a 1:1 ratio (at minimum.) At least Joel's smallest system "courtyard" is .5:1 and really easy to add a second grow bed to.

The aquapods, well the IBC once has probably a max of about 800-850 liters of fish tank and only 150 liters of expanded clay. .188:1

The corrugated one had 200 liters of expanded clay for a 1000 liter fish tank .2:1

The Deluxe again has only 150 liters of expanded clay but at least it is only 700 liters of fish tank. .21:1

I see nothing on their web site telling people appropriate amounts of fish to stock their systems with. Most people who have not already studied aquaponics, will wind up asking some one how many fish they can have based on the size of the fish tank and will likely wind up way over stocked for their filtration.

Sigh.

You seem to assume that the seller either has aquaponics knowledge or gives a "hoot" TCL... as opposed to jumping on the bandwagon to make a quick buck...

Sigh, yep.

Of course I also know that whoever is selling package systems is likely to bend a bit to market pressure. As in people want a small cheap system and it is really hard to beds the public mind to the fact that the filtration is actually the most important part of an Aquaponic system but since you don't actually eat the filtration and the bacteria are pretty much invisible and Aquaponics is always advertised/explained as being Fish farming crossed with Hydroponics. Well, the details get missed in the 15 second sound bite.

Ah well.

Hey Ian,
Put some drawings up of your proposed ibc system when you get around to it.
I have a spare one too that I'd like to turn into a neat looking system.
regards
Oldute

Na, we have much smaller systems as well...

Smaller ratios are fine so long as people know the amount of fish they can have in their system with regards to filtration and nutrient removal. We have done systems with a 3000L fish tank and only 1 growbed, so 6:1, but so long as they only stock to recommended level of fish for 1 growbed, all is good.

Visiting the web I see amongst other things they specialize in AP, first I have heard of them, as we all know you have to know what you're doing to specialize They have a corry system that isn't painted inside and sell new bacteria with their systems, have NFI why they sell replacement sponge filter for the pump, I think most throw them out as they a useless and The GB is a filter, the $31 thermometer they sell I got posted on Ebay for 4.99 and BYAP do similar and better systems with this excellent forum, service and years of knowledge as back up
It is an interesting use of an IBC but with the GB you can only have about 8 fish, BYAP do a molded system that takes up less area, slightly more in price but available in 30 colours I beleive and no bacteria needed because it appears naturally

Sure Oldute,
But I must warn you that I am a bit of a Tinkerer and probably go a bit far in detailing things to get what I want.
Cheers ianK

No need to warn me Ian, I am a structural steel shop detailer!

Nocky, Nocky, Nocky 42 different colours! Best be getting your facts straight.

Oldute,
"Put some drawings up of your proposed ibc system when you get around to it."

I'll start a thread on IBC DIY (Moderators permitting?) to document what I'm going to do with my IBC, now I have it designed and drawn it up (3D and all!!).

This is just a JPG of the cross section FYI.
No more hijacked thread.
Cheers IanK