Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm one of the AA members for sydney.

Over at Doonside. Good to see other people in Sydney getting on board.

I will be using the same treated pine sleepers to support my grow beds in the system I currently building. But I've positioned them in such a way that they wont (i hope) leach into the sump.

My systems thread: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10807

A few weeks in, no dead fish yet. a few small plants have died, but growing steadily.
2nd growbed is almost built, rain and busy weekends have been in the way.
4 goldfish, and 10 dithers. thinking of adding more goldfish, system has been stable so far

Biggest danger for the fish so far, is the boy tries to smack them when they come up for a feed

I need some advice (no really, get out of here! )
3 months later, and only 1 dead fish, but it was 4 days after buying a few new ones, so I blame the pet shop.

My plants, if that is what they can be called grow fast and quick, until they are the size of a full grown dwarf, and then stop / wither / brown.

Water tests show nitrates / nitrites / pH / alkalinity all to be fine (although nitrates and nitrites have never really spiked in any way).

What am I missing (yes, I know its probably many many things I am missing).

An odd splash of Seasol has perked the plants up, but not helped em to grow big and bushy like I see in so many other systems.

For the record, fish stock are 9 dithers, 4 gold fish, 3 funny colored gold fish (was 4 till one bellied up).

They eat gold fish flakes (which I am under the impression are not good for aquaponics), is there a better alternative at the local pet shop?

What's your pH Bonky... I'm a bit suspicous about your media....

You may need to add some chelated iron....

looks like you only have goldfish too. what are you feeding them? goldfish flakes will not provide the nutrients to keep plants happy. you need a good aquaculture food, which, unfortunately will eventually kill the goldfish

Yeah, I'd think it's probably not enough nutrients for the plants.. Better feed and more of it, feed in = plants out.

pH has always been acceptable (although I currently use strip tests and am doubtful of their accuracy).
The media is 'Local river rocks' somehown 'made in china', so yes, they are dubious. I keep a number of seashells in the water which has kept the alkalinity / pH stable. Hydroton(?) I believe would be better, but on a shoestring budget.

The fish were always expendable (to be honest I didnt think they'd live a week, so winning there). 2 dead now, but both from the last 4 I put in - the originals are all still kicking, figuratively speaking.

So, what fish should I have in there (it's too small for eating fish apparently), and what to feed them (and is it available in good old local aquariums?)

Hey mate,
I've been feeding my goldfish lettuce leaves, caterpillars, watercress, maggots i found in my compost bin and a fish food from an aquaponics shop. It's about $12/kilo.
They seem to be doing really well, interested as well to what others feed them.

Welcome and i just need to reiterate the sentiments expressed above

i come home from work and check my system, then later in the evening i do tests, check again in the morning before work... and then ask the SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) to check on it during the day!!

ahmen............

HaHaHaHa
I've got it made. I send My Lovely Husband to work each day and then I get to keep my eye on things, feed fish, come up with new ideas etc .

Great little system Bonkybuts. Try and infect your wife with the "AP bug" then there will be no stopping either of you!!!