Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Dale
Thanks for your encouragement I think this forum is a great inspiration to all!!!
Hope your system is coming along and encouraging your neighbours to start their own.
The more people that eat healthy clean food the better!

I have been getting bits and pieces together for the next set of 5 bath growbed system but was concerned that I may need to upgrade the existing pump. So I decided to play around with the Affnan siphons as they claim to start siphoning with less water flow, I can vouch this is true (for my system) I have reduced the flow to approx half the water flow that was previously used with the bell siphons.

While we have experienced some very cold morning with a few minus temps I am pleased that the system has stayed so stable the water temp has not fallen below 15 degrees. I thing this is mainly due to the volume of water (11,000lts) and that it is stored in the ground for thermal stability.
The silver perch are still feeding but definitely at a reduced amount while the growbeds are still producing even the tomatoes are still fruiting prolifically

my silvers from that batch are feeding at the surface every second day and the temp is stabvle at about 11 degrees. glad to hear yours are doing their job.

Hi Monya
My silvers are going well and haven't had any fish fatalities to date. I will try take a photo this weekend it would be interesting to compare the growth with our warmer water. I'm only feeding them approx every 3rd day as I think they have enough algae to keep them going.

Thought it was time for an update on the system which is nearly 11 months old

Recent additions

1 IBC GB (950lts)
5 Bathtub GBs (900Lts)
2 FT Baths To be used as quarantine tanks

Modifications that have been made to improve the system

*improved outlet filters for better flow and less blockages
*Eliminated any exposed metal within the system
*With the addition of more GB's I am hoping that this will help with the extra load placed on the system as the fish grow and start eating and excreting more.
*The additional GB's should provide sufficient growing space for all our Vegetable needs and some for bartering etc
* New GB's have larger river rubble (20-50mm) with a fine layer (10-15mm) on top to enable easier planting. Total amount of GB's is now 4150 lts
* The extra grow bed and 2 FT baths now provide a total 11720 lts of water running through the system
This should provide better temperature stability for our extreme summers.
With the additional GB's we hope to be more selective and systematic with our planting by incorporating better companion planting techniques, crop rotation and using shade/position more wisely, initially we just wanted to plant and get things growing as quickly as possible.

Future plans

* Empty gravel from first system and seal rust patches and replace with larger gravel
* Additional GB's (still looking for recycled alternatives to bathtubs)
* Solar powered Aeration system and addition of a venturi
* Bird netting over the GB's (to save the tomatoes and strawberries from birds)
* landscaping
* Wicking beds
Not sure if this will work but have made a sketch of the system layout using the HOP program (Hand operated pencil)

A few pics of the latest additions

A couple of friends who are interested in setting up their own AP system volunteered to help and learn
Little did they know that they would be shoveling gravel

Used larger gravel first

Added Finer gravel for easier planting

Ready for planting

Paw paw progress is going well???

Your system is going to bigger than Ben Hur looking real good

Very generous of you letting your friends help Desertrat
It is always more fun when friends join in and then they can help harvest and cook as well.

Was that mint in you r system I was told not to put that in it blocks your pipes up like it goes wild. Just a thought.

If left to its own devices mint can take over a whole bed, believe me I know! It also takes copious amounts of water out of the system, but is ideal growing on the surface with its roots hanging in the water.

Well done teaching your friends about AP

Looking great desertrat, the paw-paw looks like its flowering happily.