Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Did my 1 and (thank god) only exam for semester today. This means I can now put some attention to the the million things I have to do around the yard, including getting my test system going properly (which means I've gotta get over to Murray's and get my 1st grow bed).

Bad thing is that I'm back to work tomorrow after having a week off to study (well really I had to do the whole semesters reading as well ). This means I won't be able to sit on the discussion group all day anymore (which of course I shouldn't have been doing while off studying).

Forum is slow tonight - guess its only early!

Yep, i'm going to be on in full force in about another hour sor so

My Mother arrives from South Africa for a 4 week visit tomorrow so I might not be in here all that often (compared to what I have been that is) over the next month - but I will do my damndest to stay up to date...

Enjoy your visit .. cherish it.

For me it was very difficult being so far away from my mom for so long.

Cherish every moment.

I'm trying to keep some control myself and only log on now and then... It's tooo easy to sit here for a lot of the day responding posting pics, etc etc...

Dont I know it!!!
Mum arrived a while ago and after getting her sttled in (AND cooking dinner) I was able to break the drought and have a good drink (been dry fro the past 3 weeks due to wanting to be sober incase baby decided to come early) - managed to polish off three quarters of a bottle of 'sparkeling wine' (mum got the other quarter).. on a nice buzz now!
it IS good to be with close family again - you start to miss them a lOT after a while!

Gees I just had a huge one tonight, 14 of us, all family, 3 generations went over to the local restaurant... T'was a good one.....

You could have fed all of them at your place, couldn't you EB?

didn't he say that he was reviving his system after a bit of neglect??? shame on you EB!

Last night we had a family event aswel. Went to a nice retaurant nearby and had a great time. about 10 of us. we took a few bottles of wine, but one of the champagnes wasn't chilled. So when it was popped it spurted a metre high gyser of champagne all over the table. It was hilarious, well after the shock wore off.

hehe looks like family and this time of year mix well.

that they do!

Whats going on? Its friday night and no-one is posting? What else could people possibly be doing on a friady night. I ask you.

Building their systems I expect Steve - something I must do some work or at least planning on this weekend. My plan is:

- get welder out, crank it up and have a play in preparation for looking at building stand for my grow-bed. Only problem is I bought my welder 2 years ago and have never used it. Even more important, have never used any welder before . Will certainly be interesting.

- go out to Murray's on Sunday arvo and get my first grow-bed.

- go to B on Saturday and try and find the plumbing I need to join the drain holes of my 2 ponds to make them 1 (for water level purposes).

- buy some cheapo goldies to cycle my system (still using the small container grow bed (approx 40 litre worm farm tray that I have over my pond at the moment). Will probably be a while before I have a stand to set up the Murray made grow bed.

- Finish (or at least do some more work on) my chook pen renovation which I started in November when foxes ate all my chooks .

Big weekend - may be a bit optimistic

VB, Just go nutz with the practicing with the welder.

A few tips for you. (I assume its just a standard arc welder)

Feed into your weld so it looks like you're going over board, when you are done and chip off the slag it will be the perfect amount

If you stop or stuff it up a little make sure that you chip off ALL the slag, including the little hard to reach bits inside any pits near the end of the welf before trying to go over it.

Play with the amps, its hard to explain, you'll know if its too high or low.

Wear long sleaves (not really an issue, other wise you'll look like you've been to the beach.

If you have had a pack of electrodes stashed whn you bought the welder, don't use them, you'll just be making life hard for yourself, go buy a new packet. They absorb moisture and give you a really hard time (You don't need this when you're learning. Don't skimp on the electrodes, they make a difference.

If you find that your electrode jkeeps sticking when you try to start, try and "scratch" with it. Maybe tur the amps up a little too. Oh, and don't freak when it sticks and makes a horrible overloading type noise, just give your wrist a twist and it should come off

I'd set at 115 amps to start with and work it out.
(probably good for about 3mm thickness)

Steve

Let us know how you go.

Thanks Steve. Plan to pick up new rods from B - cause as you say the old ones will have moisture. I'll also buy a mask, cause the one it came with is crap. Already bought the gloves ages ago. Any tips for mask.

This is going to be interesting. I won't post pictures, they'll be too scarey.