Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day to all, Ive been wanting to put together a system for a couple of years now, visiting the byap store in Jandakot on a regular basis, but struggled with the concept on a financial level.
All the hype around IBC's got me thinking and I managed to cobble together a flood and drain system for around $500.

It consists of the 800lt bottom part of an IBC as FT, with the remaining 200lt on top as GB. I also added 2 x 200lt drums cut lengthways in half to make 4 extra GBs gravity feeding back into the FT.

Its been running for about 2 months now, and the plants are just beginning to look a bit more healthy, with darker leaves and increased growth rate. There is plenty of cover in the FT, and so far the 8 Silver Perch and 10 marron seem to be getting on fine.

I have successfully maintained a 200l tropical aquarium for 4 years now, and am using water taken from that every few weeks to supplement the nutrient in the AP.

Cheers to all you posters for all the useful info, ill have some pics up as soon as the moderators let them through!

Nice work Gazza, 10 marron seems a lot, but you never know your luck. Are you sure that they are still there, we found that when it rained it signalled walkabout and one was found out near the road They are great escape artists.

Thanks Faye, its hard to do a proper count due to the amount of cover i have in the tank for them to hide under, but i spotted at least 6 last night. Yabbies tend to be great escapists also, i remember my parents had a couple in a water feature that kept getting out and winding up in the swimming pool.

I keep finding frogs in my swimming pool and yesterday there was a duck thinking about going for a swim, I am thinking I'd like to grow trout in my pool next winter, but I have to sneak them in when the family aren't looking, and mmm yabbies too

Havent been able to load into the gallery yet so ill attach a few more pics here

and a couple more...

anyone pick the problem here? Im thinking mould or mildew, perhaps overflow is set too high?

Quick update - fish and marron still alive, GBs starting to look more productive

and a couple more...

Marron still seem to be ok, a couple are missing a claw (or 2) but they dont seem to be having much luck climbing up the IBC walls

What a great system. Simple and elegant!

Thanx 24, hopefully ill see phenomenal plant growth soon and be able to post some pics like some of the other successful systems

Gees Gazza, Looking at your neighbours house there and the trees in the background, it looks like you live 2 doors down from me.....

wouldnt be surprised EB

Ahh you are so right, im now down to 5 and i just caught one climbing up the pump outlet hose!