Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks SP blind freddie is doing the favour, does a check and a feed every two days. Be back tomorrow evening.

Back home, weather is great compared to the top end, not even covered in sweat at the moment. Light scattered showers so the grass needs mowing but that is expected this time of year.

Checked the system this morning, fish have grown well but the vegies will need some encouragement. Thanks to Blind Freddie for coming up and checking the system for me. Have a few cold ones in the fridge ready to go mate.

Missed seeing Upnorth this trip, tried to arrange a visit but unable to have a car at the last minute. Will make in the dry mate and see if I can get a driver so we can have a couple.

Hope every one had a great Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year. Cheers

Attended a short lecture by Murray Hallam at the Yandina Permaculture gardens this morning. Mainly curious on what he would say. The old 1 fish in 10 litres was mentioned but no mention of how much grow bed was required for that situation only that it was possible if you managed your system properly. About 45 people attende with about 3 or 4 of us having systems established. At lest the word is spreading a bit more which can only be a good thing.

Meet BnBob and his wife there, was great to talk face to face. Always good to meet other addicts and chat, only problem was a lack of cold beer.

The gardens aquaponic system was operating and had 150 year old Jade Perch in the tank. Grow beds could have done with a replant. Appeared to be over due.

Any one in the Sunshine Coast area who would like to see the system they are opened Monday, Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Cheers

He just doesn't get it.... and he keeps saying that he doesn't recommend such things.. without all sorts of qualifications... (most just as silly)... and usually without reference to feed rates.. and/or oxygen....

Guess "managing your system properly"... is all about just having a "balanced Ecosystem"....

What a load of dangerous nonsense....

P.S... such recommendations... and resulting fish kills... (although recently claimed as "all too common").... apparantlly don't happen... and are being made up....

Those are some OLD jade perch... How long have they been doing Aquaponics???

Better said 150 Jade Perch one year old, otherwise it would be an old system.

Was great to meet you as well Bear..
Might even have to make the trip to see your system & walk the fish for you

Was an interesting talk..

I think he only got through half of it. Evolved into question and answers while they were waiting for the second slide show to load. Did not happen so the adjoinment out to the system.

It felt a bit light on to me as well but you get that...
Bianca wanted to hear more about different grow bed set ups (flood drain v's constant flow), recommended media (expensive media v's gravel/rock) & even a brand name of the recommended food..

You've got two suppliers of aquaculture feed in QLD... Ridleys & GroBest....

You can get all that info here if you ask


ah, Rupes already piped up. there ya go.

We wanted the friends who took us hear it from someone else They are yet to start up a system..
We use GroBest & have also started to use black solider fly as a supplement which jade perch wont eat apparently, but you get that..

Weathers been good the past few days with overcast skys and some showers. Water temperature in the tank has been in mid 25c. Will be pulling the cucumbers and squash out as the hot weather has finished them.

Time now to find another couple of IBC's for the new grow beds. Cheers

Ok have lined up a couple of IBC's From the contact PeterJ posted in the sales thread.food grade so that will give me my next 2/4 beds depends on area. Have to remove all the paving bricks that are still stacked there so they may have to be put down for the second system growbed area.

Once they have been moved I can then see how many GB's will fit in the area. Heat is having a heavy effect on the plants over the last couple of weeks, will need to get the shade up as well.

Same here Bear.. I picked up my shadecloth yesterday but its just too dam hot to even put it up. Especially because Im still nursing some serious sunburn from motorbike riding the weekend.

I might have to put it up when the sun goes down tonight at 9pm