Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Second system is still in the build phase. I will post some photos shortly.

An update on the Murray Cod. I have seen a slow decline in my stock numbers over the last weeks. Started with 12 and now I'm down to 4. After watching them for a few hours on the week end they clearly live up to their reputation of being territorial. The smaller fish were getting hammered by the bigger fish even though there are plenty of escape areas to hide. I suspect that I will only have two fish (one in each tank) by the end of next week.

I'm going to persist with MC, I will make the trip to the hatchery and get more advanced fish that are on a pellet diet. Stocking numbers and being able to keep the food up to them is clearly critical in the success of this species.

i don't know spit about murray cod, but many territorial fish do better in higher densities, by the same token, you'd have to make sure you provide sufficient filtration and air

Thought I'd give an update on the Murray cod. Finally they are eating dry food and now growing well. One in particular now resembles an adult cod.

photos photos photos!

Togo, I've started the second system. You can get an idea of the progress from the link below.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12115

I'm happy with how its all fitting together. I should be finished the second system to the point of having the grow media in on Saturday. Then I'll let it run for a week and maybe put some seedlings in next week. Then cycle with some gold fish ready for the trout season.

Looks like an oasis Fordy

Thanks Faye.

My Murray Cod have really started to move along with their growth rate now that they have accepted pellets. I do however for time to time feed them blood worms. They know when the blood worms are coming too. I used frozen worms which I take from the freezer and place in a measuring cup with tank water and let it thaw. The cod take great interest in the process waiting for their food. When I put the cup in the tank they get right in the cup to ensure they get the lions share. I attempted to get a photo this morning but they are quick little buggers. Below is the best shot.

Thats awesome Fordy, mine do not come completely to the surface yet but a few do come right up the water column to take the pellet crumble as it begins to sink. What size pellet or is it crumble or crushed pellet your using. The blood worm must be costing you a fortune! Hace you got any worms living in the GB's yet? Have you got a worm farm or room for a few yabbies in the system?

Who says it's impossible to train fish?

Oooo baby. Can't wait till summer to try some cod!....maybe I'll have to give it a skip this time round though . Getting my production to a point where we are eating home grown fish and veggies each week will be an important step in convincingly wife that it was all worth it....the cod thin themselves out too fast to be productive.

I'm feeding pellets, not sure of the brand. I got them from the hatchery (Glemwaters), they're about the size of a shotgun pellet, maybe a bit bigger.

Yes I have a worm farm but it's been neglected for the last year, must get it back up and running. As for the tabbies, that might require a new ap system.

There is an old piece of Australian federal legislation that makes it illegal to eat an animal that has been named and kept as a pet. These cod really start to show some personality when they do stuff like eating from a cup or your hand. I have to keep reminding myself that they are not a pet, they are food. I wonder how trained they would act if they knew I was collecting recipes ready for the big feast.

Ha i'm sure some lamb you've eaten has been hand fed over the years! what the difference!

My missus gives me heaps about this all the time...."oh, weve had them too long....they are our pets now" blah blah

I will admit I am a little attached but dont tell her....

One of my return pumps failed last Wednesday. It's been raining for the last few days and with the responsibility of a full time job today is the first opp I've had to replace it. Spent a good hour in the shed digging through my old aquarium hardware to see if I could find a working pump. Found one, but it needed a modification to link to the existing tubing on my system. 2 hours of fiddling around I have a working pump. Went to remove the old pump and found that the plug was not inserted all the way. Plugged it in properly and my failed pump sprung back to life. Note to self, you need electricity to power a pump. 2 hours wasted. It's like rinsing a teaspoon under the tap - all to often the water splashes back onto you but it's amazing how often in a lifetime you still get caught/wet.