Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Had a friend over yesterday to check out the system to better understand the workings (I will help him set up his IBC system soon) He loved it and looking forward to getting his own underway.

As you know I have a partition in the FT and I thought Id catch a few SP for them so the kids could have a closer look. I plunged the net in to swoop up a couple of perch and all 40 of them smashed into the far end of the tank in one big group (anyone who has tried catching fish at harvest time knows that sound Im talking about). After showing them the fish and I threw them back in it dawned on me what just happened. 2 little trout upside down. Looks like they got trampled in the stampede.

Note to self : be a bit more gracious when fishing with the net. grrrrr


On a possitive note, my 3rd GB, DWC and greenhouse is under construction so stay tuned...

I've been keen to have a crack at Aquaponics for a while and thought I might do some further investigating.

Came accross this forum, start reading these posts, and look who I find right in the thick of it all.

Good work there buddy, great to see what you have been up to and how it has panned out.

You have certainly increased my interest level looking at what results can be achieved and good to find that I know someone who has done it.

Hi orpmoc

I missed your post sorry, do I know you - see your PM

I have quite a few mates in esperance and there is one system that I know of there and Im sure he would be more than happy to have you over for a look at his system and see one in action.

Another good friend of mine there owns the fruit and vegie shop so make sure you say hi to Brook from Charlie next time your in there.

You know the rules charlie... Pics or it didnt happen.




I have a 15 rainbow trout with an average weight of 17kg in my IBC

yea yea I know mate.

Should be partly complete this weekend so will post some sneek peek pic's for yas

sneak peek pics are my favourite kind

Some pics of a bit of a tidy up today. Harvested and pulled out a heap of celery as we just cant eat enough of it. Made way for some basil, coriander, carrots and radish.

Lettuce is powering along at them moment.

The root system on these celery plants are insane, it really took some muscle to get them out!

Ive been held back a little with the expansion but hear is a couple of sneak peeks to what Ive been up to.

3rd bed in place.



DWC coming along..




....and a little vid for fun

For those of you with a keen eye.... yes, I have removed the partition and I have 5 trout living amoungst the perch.

Not the best vid but you can see the trout.

I removed the partitiion due to the trout constantly getting caught up in the net. Just like Dunder said....gill netted! I was confident I could get them to a decent size but its not worth the risk so I will wait to they are bigger and refit the net.

Whats pretty cool to see so far though is they are doing well together. They have been together for 2 weeks now and all seems ok. I watch and video them regularly for documentation and I havnt seen any signs of aggression or torment.

I have read in the past that trout introduced to a FT that already has a strong group of fish may possibly feel overwhelmed and strive to blend with the group. Im enjoying watching this progress.

Time will tell....

Maybe it has to do with the fact that your SP are a decent size already and that there are alot more SP than trout.

What have you got in that basket? Yabbies?

Is there a reason for the deeper GB? Planning on growing something bigger than vegies? Or just easier to cut in half?

Yea I believe so Ryan. Im keeping a close eye on things and doing lots of underwater vid's to understand the goings on. We might all get something out of it, cant remember seeing anything documented on trout with other fish yet...just here say.


Marron. They are in there as an experiment Im working on.



Glad you asked
Im going to try a different type of standpipe that alows me to drain into a DWC. This should allow me to run a deeper GB. The original 2 GB's are at the lowest point they can be for drain to FT. My plan is to have the 3rd Gb feeding the DWC. For this to be succesful Ive come up with an idea and I will post as I go along.

The best thing about this AP stuff is the experiments...

Ahhh yes the marron. I am keeping an eye on those little critters. It will be interesting to see if they are more heat tolerant than the ones you might get down south more.

I have been trying to think how i can add a small DWC section to mine. So i will be interested to see what you come up with.

I like the experiments too. I wonder what will happen if i do this... AH CRAP!

They should naturally be fine with temps up around 23-24. But hopefully they adapt as it slowly warms up in summer. I think from memory my Ft got to about 28-29 last summer and I dont think they will last in those temps.

Nice, so where's the DWC going in the scheme of things?

I have no experience with SPs, but with trout, The large ones will do their best to dominate. As long as one is able to get feed to all the fish, things will go well. A larger amount of fish, seems to calm the territorial problems.
I have read that with cod, the only way to keep them is to have large amounts in a small area. If not, they kill each other.
Its funny to watch the trout and their antics. At 4 to six weeks, they will already have their place in an aquarium, and chase others away. That's the larger ones thought. The smaller will congregate together, for safety, in their special place.
When keeping many fish in a small area, a strong one way water current is a must. It gives them something to do. They are happy to just sit in the current and wait for food to come their way, all day. As soon as that current is switched off, they start to wander around.


I think that that is the answer too.