Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Either that or..."come on suckers... I look old and harmless... try me..."

Ok, Update time:

Progress has been made... 2 steps closer to aquapineapple and chillies.
Enjoy...


Online classifieds used IBC $60 Aud (used for salt water)


Came with insulation Score! ordered little pond pump online for around $75 Aud (much cheaper and same quality or better than the large hardware shops you know the one.)


Filtering time.. Well after a lot of research and calling around the cheapest i could find 20mm scoria in Sydney was around $10 per bag (i think 20L/15kg?)

Finally the test pilots are in and soaking up the water;)


Egg plant test pilots while the system cycles.

Nice work!

What are/will you be using as an ammonia source?

I have some Koi and some other cheap fish from the local store. i think they were called dienos or something.
I figured Koi being carp would be impossible to kill hahah. I have also seen some posts on pee systems haha very tempting after a few beers lol. ( till i read that you have to leave it a few days before adding to the system).

I will be getting a water quality test kits soon. the PH was 8 or over but it may be off my chart so i need a different chart.

rsevs3. Nice IBC System you have looks good. I am using a similar insulation material.. (before you put the external shell on).

Quick update,
I used part of a gate frame from Bunnings as it was much cheaper than the wood. it was just long enough to hold the grow bed and is now secured with cable ties


I have already seen great progress with the tomato plant. awesome.

Don't forget those cable ties will probably perish and break after about a year.

Even the black ones? Ok I'll just replace them in a year. They just stop it accidentally sliding off. Thanks for the tip.
Does anyone recommend using water test strips? Are they easier to use than conventional test kits?
Where is a cheap place to order kits from? (location Sydney Australia)

Update: March 2013 - Silver Perch have been picked up and are acclimatising nicely.

Chilli - Evolved to produce painful chemical to prevent being eaten... is now consumed on a regular basis world wide.

Congrats you now have real fish and veges. In regards to test kits a popular choice is the Freshwater master test kit. Look at the top tab for aquaponics shop and it is under accessories. Happy aquaponicing