Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thank you too. Since recuperating I have bad back a few times but generally because I do something stupid like lift what I would before I hurt it.

I have learnt to build since, and done lots of roadie work to fund myself which involves a LOT of stacking HEAVY stuff where technique is crucial. I find provided I'm active now I'm ok but inactive periods can make me a bit 'saggy' and it hurts.

Walking is magic. Find different surfaces other than just footpaths - sand, dirt, flowers and wee yappy dogs...

My Dad was told he'd never walk again after a massive accident in a Milk Tanker. He was up and about in 2 months. I never forgot that when I could hardly walk, and provided I'm sensible (ie:showing my years) I'm as active as I ever was.

Backs are such delicate things, I'm so thankfull that I have been blessed with a good back up till now. My mum had a bad back for many years so I have seen the pain thet it can cause..

And I can tell you, no one is more happy than me, about this forum and everyone being so keenly interested in aquaponics. It's been about 6 years now that I'm been messing with system, with only small amounts of information burried amongst the web. Friends that although supportive think that I'm being perhaps a little wierd, and they are getting a little tired of my ranting and waffling...

To be able to come here and get my fix of aquaponic talk is soooooooo good, and the fact that there are so many different ideas and view points bouncing around means that things move foreward so much quicker. When it's only 1 person, it's like playing tennis up against a wall, where as this is more like mixed doubles.....

know what you mean - no one I know (face to face) is into aquaponics and its good to share and catch up with others with similar interests...

Speaking of catching up with other aquaponicists...... Who were you catching up with this weekend concerning growbeds Muzza, I'm losing track... Did you guys get together and talk fish, pumps, tanks, n pipes?

I got myself out to Murray's at last, picked up my first grow-bed and had a chat for a couple of hours. Grow-bed is even better in real life, very professional and only surpassed by the flash little cruise boats that Murray builds (bit more expensive than the grow-beds).

Talked greenhouses, heating, fish etc etc etc.

Murray is well on his way to producing his first fish tank. The plug is basically ready, which means that he will now be able to cast his mould (is that correct terminology Murray). The plug looks exactly as the tank will look and looks excellent. Think I'll be getting me one og these if I can possible afford it.

Oh it was you VB.... I thought it may have been you, but couldn't find the thread where you mentioned it....

Good to hear, sounds almost dark n sinister, meetings out the back of workshops on sunday afternoons... Discussing the finer workings of that dark art.

any idea as to when we will see a pic of Murray's new tank?

Ask Murray. A picture of the plug would let you know exactly what the fishished product will look like (except it will be shinyer).

well Murray, you have all of us wanting to see the tank... as the plug is finished are you willing (yet) to give us a sneak preview?

VB
are you going to weld stands for the growbed or did Muzza supply you with one?

I'm going to weld them Stuart (can I call you Stu?). 50mm angle seems to be the go, with three cross sections as well as the frame. Murray also suggested this same metal be used for the legs, built as square frames themselves (if you know what I mean) but I might look at using squate tube for the legs and attach that directly to the frame at the top and then have 50mm angle connecting the legs at the bottom for support. I think the main reason for Murrays leg design is to be able to make the unit portable for sale. The box sections that are used for legs would bolt on and therefore the whole thing could be transported flat.

Would you weld it so that it makes a kind of basket out of the 50mm angle and the growbed sits inside the frame, or so that it sits on top of the frame?

I reckon the 50mm posts would work well as the legs, the only thing being I think it would be hard to get a good weld if the material thickness is different than the angle. How thick angle would you use? I know you can get heavier (than 1.6mm) square galv tube, but it's really expensive.

Stu

Yes - my intention was to form a lip inside which the bed would sit. I assume that that is what Murray intends also - though I may be wrong. I hadn't though about the differing thickness issue, as I am not experienced in this stuff. But I guess it stands to reason that the square tube metal would be thinner due to the strength being provided by its shape.

Comments Murray.

Are you the first to have one of those sexy grow beds VB. You must be completely stoked.

I think I am the first. Would take a picture but you've all seen my growbed before. It's the one in the pictures on this forum . Cant wait to set the bastard up. Before then I need to:

- build my stand
- connect my two ponds, and even then I think I will have to go continuous flow (flood and drain will sap too much water
- get a half cubic meter of gravel. It's going to be a really crap job cleaning the dirt and small bits of gravel out of that. I think I will get the same 10mm drainage gravel that I have in my little 40litre test bed. The roots seem to have grown through that fine. Will talk about that under the 'bought my first pond' thread.