Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I agree, Gary, but I am finding that components for small systems are easier to get where they are less needed. One fof the things I have found is that square plastic tanks of whatever size are practically impossible to find in this part of the world. Round plastic molds must be easier to create than square ones (I am not familiar with the manufacturing process.). Therefore it is easier to construct from cement or block. If you are going to that trouble, then build bigger.

I have found small pumps to be a challenge to find as well. Media is another thing you have to be creative about and what you settle on is not always optimum. (size, texture, etc.) I think we all envision the ultimate system, large or small, but in the end you are constrained by availability space components, and budget. (you have pointed this out.)

I'll let you have your thread back now.

GD, I'd be interested to see how you actually go for energy and cost inputs vs outputs, in small systems vs larger systems.. Smaller systems would require greater initial capital outlay wouldn’t they, as there are more fittings and materials required? I know that my blue barrel system ended up costing a fair bit because of all fittings required, larger growbeds and larger yabby tanks may have ended up being cheaper in the long run… Plus, to only have one or two auto siphons on growbeds, rather than 9 of the bloody things would be soooo much easier…..

I have many systems of different shapes and sizes and configurations, and for me, the larger capacity flood and drain system is by far my favorite. This is my personal preference because I am lazy by nature and it requires the least input by me, while still producing very well… I can leave my system for many, many days at a time without having to check things.

So much is dependant on what the individual wants from a system, tailoring a system to a person is one of the most important aspects of aquaponic designs.. Yes, a system that requires constant monitoring and adjustments is great for the person who wants to be immersed in this side of an aquaponic system. For someone who prefers to stand staring at their fish with a drink in hand then a larger more simple system is possibly more suitable...

And then yes DT, there is the aspect of availability of materials... Isn't it great when there is no real right answer, when each individual situation draws a different conclusion..

Gary, your arguments for smaller, modular systems are very compelling.

Hi EB,

I use 19mm black polyethylene plastic fittings that are in common use on hydroponic systems.......they're a fair bit cheaper than PVC fittings (which I also like).

Like you, I've probably spent thousands of dollars when it's all added up, however, when I look at the actual cost of the system that I'm currently running, it's quite inexpensive compared to the king's ransom in pumps, fittings, trays, tubs, etc....that's lying around on the shelves and in boxes. These are all of the things that all of us collect before we realise that there's a better or different way of doing things.....and the stuff we accumulate in readiness for the next system.

I feel for our colleagues in places like Indonesia and El Salvador....where their access to materials and components is limited.

EB......I agree entirely with your observation that there's no right answer.......just different options for different situations. For me, the current challenge is discovering what's possible.

There will likely come a day when a large system will be desirable. We have 3/4 of an acre so we're not limited by space. In the meantime, to quote EF Schucher......"Small is Beautiful."

I imagine after last night's repeat of the Gardening Australia program, you'll be back feverishly producing books again.

Just about anything is posible GD

But what I like about having 2000L (which will be 4000L by the end of 2007) is thata person can go away for days on end with such a system and not have to worry about sudden changes!

Hi AM,

My experience of intensive farming (at any level) is that it requires close supervision.......by someone. I don't know of too many intensive pig or poultry farmers who would leave their stock unattended for more than a few hours.

For the most part, the sudden changes that occur around here are usually the result of me doing something out of the ordinary......like feeding too much. If I practise the sort of management that I'd recommend for others, I generally don't have too many problems.

Problems with large systems can prove catastrophic, too.....if pumps fail (or are left off like happened to Monya recently)......or you have a power failure.....or your plumbing develops a bad leak.....or......well you get the picture.

In the coming months, I'd like to do some more work on automating (and bulletproofing) my systems.

Anyway, it's all good stuff.

You know, the more I read over what you have written, the more uneasy/unsure I am about it - so I will be watching your thread closely to see what goes wrong and what goes right (no fair just posting the good - you need to ost problems etc too so that we can all learn from it )

That's true Gary, but most of us are stocking lower than "prime" or aquaculture levels, so most of the BYAP systems can't really be called intensive farming.

GD, just to clarify, the system where I left the pump off is 1000 litre tank, one growbed direct gravity back to the tank, one pump, no water lost etc and certainly no fish deaths due to it not being on for 28 hours (as yet LOL), and will encounter the same problems (maybe) as any system should a pump be turned off and forgotten to be switched back on. It is not a big system, merely a fingerling nursery tank. As it turns out, if I had have turned off the pump like I did in much smaller system with any sort of stocking density, it would have probably collapsed in a mass of stinky dead fish.

Hi GD,
Like Doug I am enamored of a repeating modular systems' capabilities. This kind of setup has redundancy, insurance, scalability, and freedom to experiment like you say. I also see in my own systems that they would be cheaper if I just bought the parts and put it together as it stands, without all the R&D expenses that are behind the "artifact" in my basement. I look forward to your new system's description.

Yep, whereas I've gone for the most self-stable system I can afford approach - I can leave my system for months at a time without trouble. I can't afford to have a system which acts like a ball and chain. I feel sorry for lindsay (silver perch guy) as he probably can't risk taking a holiday now for fear of losing stock.

Hi AM,



At the end of the day, how you feel is your responsibility but I'd be disappointed if the inference is that I've done anything else but present a balanced view of my system.

The fact is that I do post everything pretty much about my system.....even down to photos of my dead fish. I keep a daily log of water top ups, water tests and just about anything else I can think of.

I'm eating vegetables now and soon, I'm going to be eating fish, too.

Jaymie.....all recirculating aquaculture systems are, by definition, intensive farming. Some are simply more intensive than others.

Monya.....forgive my confusion.....and I'm glad your misadventure didn't result in disaster.

njh.....if being able to go away for months was my goal, I wouldn't bother with aquaponics. I can't speak for Lindsay, but going elsewhere on holidays is not something I covet at this point. In fact, I've done just enough travelling that I'd rather step on a rusty nail than step on a plane.

My goal is to, over time, build my own little 'Shangri-La' and food self-sufficiency is part of the plan.

By the way, any time we decide we want to go somewhere for days on end, our system is so easy to operate that we can leave our place in the care of our neighbours.

Gary

Me too. I just want my system to be self-regulating and cleaning.

so true, but you seem to be unhappy as to me saying that I was uneasy - I included it so as to highlight that what you are doing is different and I was not sure if it would work - not because your system is faulty in some way but because I have not approached things this way before


Carefull about taking things too personally - I am not 'atacking' you, just waiting to see how it all fairs as what you are doing is 'different' from what I would do - remember, I did say that I wanted to learn from what you do!


I am sure that you will - also remeber that when we post on threads here that it is as much for the person who's thread it is as it is for all the other people out there - we want to hear all the ups and downs and appreciate it when the whole picture is presented in a persons thread on BYAP - no personal slight was intended.


Ahhh, that is the kind of thing I like to hear - far too many people depend on the supermarket chains to feed them

Hi AM,

I was neither unhappy, nor taking things personally......simply responding to your unnecessary concern that I should bear in mind the need to post problems as well as "the good."

Gary