Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Finally have the opportunity to post an update on the expansion of my AP interests!

A couple of months back, I had my first post here, detailing my first dabble with AP - my IBC chop n flip set up. Winter had laid down its fair-share of speed humps, but I think things are finally on the right track.

From there, I ordered some corrugated tanks, upgraded the pump, had some GB stands fabricated and have ended up with this:

Apologies for the calibre of photo - as those in Perth would know, we are having an early spring batch of rain!

The 2 growbeds are 1300mm diameter/350mm deep and are now supporting 750L of media collectively, with room to take it to the brim of the GB tanks with maybe another 100L of media each? The FT is 1300mm diameter and 800mm deep, and currently has @ 1100L (80% filled) in it and is home to 9 trout. A conservative figure, I know. But I can lay claim to not having a single fish fatality in the last few months of APing!

A Laguna 3500 is feeding my 2 GBs, which are set to run F&D 30on/30off. I would like to explore the option of sequencing at a later stage to help regulate the water level in the FT.

My GB outlets are set so that the drain creates a nice whirlpool within the FT - sucking solids in towards the centre of the FT and this into the pump and therefore the GBs. The trout seem to enjoy the current during the drain (or so they told me!). I have just installed some 'mechanical filtration' at the inlets to the GBs - simply 100mm pvc rings, filled with aquarium wool and that blue spongey stuff they use in aquariums - the inlets spill out into the rings and the water is gravity feed through the filter and into the media. Its surprising how much solid waste is trapped within the mechanical filtration in such a short period of time! The plan is to simply wash or replace the filter wool weekly. That should keep a fair amount of the larger solids out of the media, which I have found, fails to filter any solids at all.

I have a nice aesthetic touch being added to the set up that is presently a work in progress, but I will be sure to share it with you once it is finished!

The cost of the AP setup thus far:

1300L FT - $400
450L GBs - $250 each
Laguna 3500 pump - $150
Tank stands - $100 each
Hydroton - 14 bags @ $30 a bag = $420 (drop me a line if interested in cheap media!)
Plumbing - $80

Total - dont wanna think about it!

I've also set up a 160L aquarium to rear some Barra in the lead up to the warmer months.

6 Barra growing like beanstalks!

As you can clearly see, I have been working hard on their synchronised swimming routine.

Lookn GOOD Blue Thumb would be good if you possibly can keep one Barra in the Aquarium, I had alot of fun with mates havn a few drinks and throwing feeder fish into my old barras tank.
I think nothing strikes like them....they slowly stalk the feeders, get into the tail up strike mode then bang, it's all mouth and swallow Beautiful to watch

Lastly, I wanted to show you my Mini AP window setup! I put it together in the hope that the Missus would adopt it as her own and give her the chance to get involved. Alas, failure!

That aside, I wacked this together after 2 hours of foraging through the Perth Gumtree (all hail the Gumtree!) and an hour at 'B'.

I got the aquarium setup, including tank, stand, airpump, gravel, light and tacky ornaments for $50 after some hard and fast negotiation. A visit to 'B' produced a 54L crate, hydroton media ('B' price of $34 too - not bad!), requisite plumbing and a lil 750lph aquapro pump. Another 3 hours of washing, drilling and siphon testing had the setup on the run. I was quite pleased in my efforts in creating a bell siphon on my first attempt - basically visuallising the requisite componentry and construction whilst standing in the plumbing aisle! It is working like a charm! Total price? $125!

I cleaned out my aquarium filtration (chemical free), squeezing sponge filter goodness into my media and using the old filter wool as the mechanical filtration under the GB inlet, all in a bid to seed the system with nitrifying bacteria.

My plan seemed to have worked? I started the system on Saturday eve, added a fish Sunday, planted it Monday eve, and tested the parameters this evening.

pH 6.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5

Bonus! Could this be a 3 day cycle?

I put the swift results down to quality seed from a well established aquarium and the fact that the setup is in the nice warm lil ecocosm that is my sunroom!

Gnash -

I've tried to entice the Barra with earthworms, but they wont have a bar of them.

I dropped in a few, and if anything, the barra poo'd themselves when the worms would flutter about! I was surprised to see the worms last for several weeks under water in the aquarium )a sign of plenty of DO, I guess?!), seemingly feeding on the sponge filter and solid food and waste matter on the aquarium floor.

The worms loved the tank! That is, until me ol' mate Mr Yabbie was dropped in. Poor things, they were decimated within hours, reduced to a circumcised mass of biowaste

The plan is to toss all the barra into the main AP FT come summer. I do have one barra that is booming along in growth - maybe he'll be the keeper? Although I'm not looking forward to seeing the powerbill after using a 300W aquarium heater all winter!

A Youtube clip of the Barra.

Fiesty little seamonkeys!

Great setups. I really dig the indoor aquarium AP. If we ever meet I will set your mind at ease about the power bill and show you mine which includes around 1500W plus of all winter aquarium heating.

Hi BT what size are your fingerlings ? and what quantity can you fit (short term - 1 month) can you fit in a small tank eg. a 3 foot indoor tank ? I'm looking at doing it until the weather warms up.

Cheers
Mike

Phreddy -

I initially had 10 barra on the go, however lost a few battlers to ill-adjustment and cannibalism.

I would suggest that your stocking density would be entirely dependent on your filtration capability. Barra are dirty buggers and love to foul the water with poo. I run an eheim 2213 canister filter, 2 large sponge filters and some additional mechanical filtration in the hood. That has been ample to keep my parameters well in check, coupled with bi-weekly vacuum siphoning and fresh water top ups. I'd suggest using a pre-cycled aquarium. Failing that, you are welcome to some of my filter gunk (as I've been running it chemical -free).

With my present filtration, I'd prolly give 20+ barra (under 100mm) a crack, feed them conservatively and monitor the parameters from there. Last purchAse of barra was 1.90 a unit @ Golden Ponds. But, your aquarium stocking would e dependent on your intended AP density - assuming a cycled and matured system - if you follow me.

I'm just going on my recent experiences. Some more seasoned AP or aquarist campaigners may be able to guide you more judiciously!

BTx

In the hope of getting on top of current cycling and dark green total ammonia readings (ggrrrrrr), I have added some additional biofiltration - a 500 gallon pond bio-filter. Seeded the media in my barra aquarium for a good few days. Here's hoping it gets it started.

Also added a t-piece at the bottom at the biofilter outlet for mega aeration!

Fingers crossed!


BTx

sweet looking setup dude. very neat.

The best is yet to come, Steve! Stay tuned ...

What are your number at the moment BT?

Nice set-up.