Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The system will hopefully be linked to the existing setup. The two systems will only be about 1.5m apart but I'll need to muck around with the plumbing because the new FT will be lower than the others. The new system will be located just in front of where the dog is standing.



An update of the existing system. I can't believe the growth rate of the tomatos. I planted 6 plants in late October. I did a rough count of the fruit that has already set, there is already over 300 tomatos.


The murray cod are doing well and greet me every morning for there daily feed. Once the last of the trout are out of there tank I will split the 12 cod and have 6 in each tank. The new system will be stocked with trout next season.

You've done such a good job on the last system, I have no doubts that the expansion will look just as good.
Keep us posted with lots of pictures.

Still watching cod with interest. You think they've grown any? Pls keep us updated.

They've grown a little. Eating frozen brine and blood worms. Having some trouble getting them to readily take pellets. They become very active in the morning when I feed the trout in the other tank. They seem to now know the routine and are waiting for their breakfast. Even though they are still very small (the biggest would be 2 inches) they don't hold back in tackling food that they like which is much biiger than them. I'll see if I can get a video of this.

I'm taking a month off work through Jan so I might experiment with some different off the shelf foods. It would be a very expensive fish to keep if all they ate was frozen stuff. I need to get them onto pellets as soon as I can.

Wouldnt the fingerlings have come to you been reared on pellets?

My first catch. There is still a few trout in the tank. Current temp is 19c. With a few hot days coming over christmas they are sure to be added to the christmas lunch table.

I'm still having trouble getting the murray cod onto pellets. they have doubled in size via the frozen foods. Has anyone got some tips or known food brand that I could try?

are you using floating pellets? if so, try hydrating some overnight, i use a tupperware type thing and throw in a handful of food, then put in some water in, turn the container a few times as it sits in the fridge, then when you feed, give the pellets a little squeeze so they sink... if they start eating the pellets, continue feeding wet pellets but gradually add dry.. pretty soon they'll be eating just the dry...

Thanks for keeping the cod updates rolling. Sorry u can't get them on pellets. They seem to be a great ap fish from all the reports I've seen. They will probably end up being my summer fish next year. Will have to wait till winter for my first batch of "real" fish

Can you/anyone explain to me how the water flows through your system. I diagram maybe? I can see an auto syphon but can't really see how it gets there. The system look really good thanks for the posts.

Water is pumped up to GB 3 and GB 4. Water from GB 3 runs through to GB 2 and GB 1 and the is syphoned back to the FT. Water from GB 4 runs through to GB 5 and GB 6 and then back into FT. Water can flow between FT's so if one pump fails water there will still be water movement from the other and no chance of overflow.

Thanks for that. Totally missed the second syphon on the other end. Should have clued on when you mentioned it could be run as two separate systems.

The pipe conecting GB 4 and 6 in the picture in your first post ... is that just a warter leveling thing as well?

./muzza

Yes. When I tested the flow rates into each GB I found that the end grow bed (with the syphon) would drain too quickly and therefore not allowing the first GB to drain completely. Not to much of a concern. I have noticed the difference in grow rates of plants between the 3 GB's. All this means is that I need to plant appropriately. Plants that like wet feet go in the first GB.

I still find it interesting your Cod are not onto pellets. Mine came weened onto pellet crumble (which to me just looks like skretting pellets that have been ground down) I have even crushed some of my 6mm Skretting and fed that to them and they eat it just as well as the pellet crumble I bought from the fish supplier.

How did that second system (the IBC) turn out in the end? Your system is extemely inspiring, especially on the compact beaty side of things.
I got here from reading the "are alle ap systems ugly?" thread, where someone said to check yours out.

[I'm setting up my first system and one of the biggest concerns is not making it so industrial and messy looking (my mom's concerns, mostly)]