Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everybody,
ever since EB's contributions on the permy site we have wanted to try aquaponics and have just ordered EB's book etc
Being out of work (its a bugger if over 50 apparently too old to stay on) it took a while to get the cash for it but now we are waiting so we can start.
Another problem we have is our location ...everything is costly and a run to Adelaide aint cheap. We are looking to use blue barrels ($20 ea ) for the grow beds and a above ground pool for fish side of things or a couple bathes (free) area isnt a problem as we are out of town on 25 acres but we are on wind/solar and only a small set up at the moment so pumps need to be smallish and 12vdc.
We are hoping to be able to eventually get enough to add to our food intake to make life easier and get a better grow rate as we are in a arid area watering a garden isnt the best way.we do use a little hydroponics setup but want to go further and now reckon aquaponics is the best use of water. Forgot to mention that we are looking to go for yabbies if we can get them.
I am busy going over all the posts here and boy there is info to the max...hope I can retain it anyhow enough dribble for now
cheers
Pete

Welcome to the forum, sounds like you have got a fair bit of the setup already, where would we be without the ubiquitius blue drums eh?
well have fun, if you need any info, advice, or general chat, everyone here is happy to share for the price of a few photos haha!
cheers Axl :blah5:

Small pumps are proving themselves to be a viable option - they work well for smaller floor and drain growbeds (so the blue drums, or regular bath tubs will be perfect). The only limitation with 12v is the head height of your pumps, but that can be overcome too.


Once you have it up and running, it sure will do that - and if it does not come along as fast as you might like, stick in there because it will come right given enough time.



This is Australia, just about every well established stream and/or dam has them in there - and they breed fastand easily as well...

Looking forward to seeing more of you here!

hiya drykand, you joinded up a while ago yeh?

if you have a pool then go for i me reckons. larger volume of water will certainly take longer to get nutients up to spec, but once it does the input / output won't be different from a small system.

Was thinking the other day, if someone has a HUGE water volume and is struggling with waiting for fish to poo enough does anyone see anything wrong with adding some manure steeped in water, or worm juice?

obviously you would dose in smallish amounts while testing with your NO3 testkit

I guess you could even use water soluble powdered fert in small amounts

Hi Aqua I agree with ya but short of the Murray not a lot of streams my way and the dame on properties are lookin grim too but I have time, I need to get the bits yet

Steve I was following EB's stuff in the permy forum before he set this one up but wasn't able to do much then and now I have the time but not the cash .....its a wicked circle we are in.
I am taking it slowly and will get there
I have been doing hydro for a while in the 80's and reckon this is a better deal as its less fiddling with introduced chemicals and more of let the fishy things do their stuff.
Pete

Its always good to welcome another convert!

Have you looked at the dump/tip for possible materials?

building sites usually generate a fair bit of so called waste,you will be amazed what gets throwen because of asthetics.
Welcome to the wonderful world of AP.

Gotta get out me latin books again - bad enough Monya getting edificated

Oops sorry - welcome Dryland, been to Pt Augusta in my early years and it was pretty dry then too!

Something like;

do not disturb the natural order of life?

Mate its that dry now even the sheep fart dust.
Pete

theres a path as deep as stanely chasm leading to the mailbox and no sign of EB's package .
Yeh I know there are no deliveries on the w/end but can't blame a bloke for hoping.
Sarting to map out a spot for the setup and shadehouse area tho unlike Jim I don't have feral food here (koalas & possums) but the odd roo though they seem to have headed off to the hills for summer. Too bloody dry here ...at least it can't burn
Pete

guess that is an upside.

Going by the probs the poor sods in gippsland are having I'll take dry thanks.
Pete

roflmao
love it!

Welcome Port Augutta boy.
(Is Joy B still the Mayor and stirring up the dust there?)