Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

here is a brief look at my first system which I built in my kitchen last summer.

I used a 40 litre tote for the fish tank and an 80 litre one for the sump , 2 x 30 litre totes with floating rafts, and a 30 litre flood and drain box using hydroton.I powered it with nine goldfish, within three weeks three had died, leaving six strong survivors.
problems were a blocked drain hole meant that for a few weeks the plants were almost permanently flooded. I used coriander, fennel and beans as test veg, and they were doing well, but started to yellow in the leaf, took me a while to work it out, then I adjusted the way the drain hole was protected, but eventually I began to lose control of the system.
It was time to look after the fish as one had some black stuff on its tail fin . Chatted to aquarium man in town and followed his advice , several massive water changes and less food,sure enough the fish recovered and since then all has been sweet.
Its a huge learning curve this aquaponic lark, but hugely enjoyable too !!
water changes and less food,sure enough the fish recovered and since then all has been sweet.
Its a huge learning curve this aquaponic lark, but hugely enjoyable too !!

Sounds like another one of us is hooked