Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So I have finally gotten around to building my first system and I have been taking some photos as I go. Before I start posting on the details etc. I though I should learn how to upload photos and to start with I have two showing the inspiration for this project.

Late last year my wife and I bought a new house that included a pond in the backyard.


The pond was a little overgrown and already had a decent pump but it was right next to a good sunny spot where I put my chillies and other veggie plants in pots.



The pond is around 600L but I have decided to start small with only about 300L of grow bed and will stock the pond accordingly. The grow bed is 6 50L plastic tubs http://www.starmaid.com.au/product/50l-stack-nest-and-slide-cratethat are food safe plastic.

I got my hands on some heavy duty wooden pallets from a delivery at work and have started to build a base with sides to support the grow beds (photos to follow) and I have let the pond dry up and cleaned it out. I plan to start with goldfish in it.

I have one question though: I am painting the wooden base on all sides with decking oil so that it last a bit longer. So far all the wood painted will sit just below the level of the top of the grow beds so no drips should go in but what if I coat the planks I plan to use to cover the top edges of the grow bed? Is the decking oil likely to get into the pond in any great quantity and if so is this likely to harm the fish (at this stage I don't plan on eating them).

I will post some images of the construction in a few days and then more as the project continues.

Welcome to the forum, happy to see somebody else from Darwin.

On your grow beds is no information about UV stabilising, I wouldn't trust these containers with to much weight, 40 litre means nearly 40kg plus plant material. I replace these tubs nearly every year because they just brittle apart (not this brand, but also not stored in the sun, but the heat destroys then).

Cheers

Oliver

Glad to see you are starting, agree about the GB box you will be replacing them very quickly in the Darwin sun. Better to spend a little more and source some UV stabilised ones. Cheers

Cheers Oliver and ccBear,

I have similar concerns about the UV stability of these tubs so I am trying to construct the stand to cover them on all sides and on top so little to no sun gets on them. I have not yet figured how to protect the top edges yet. Three ideas are extend the wooden frame with or without decking oil or to use weed mat on all exposed edges and drape it down in the tubs so the grow media holds it down.

I will try and add more photos tonight so you can get a better idea of what the frame looks like.

At this stage it is not too late to replace the tubs with something else appart from the fact the frame has been custom made for 6 of these tubs. And I will be left with 6 tubs with holes in them....

After a quick bit of research into what might be available locally I have found these tubs: http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_handy-storage-41l-black-recycling-crate_P2580619.aspx?search=handy+crates&searchType=any&searchSubType=products This one is a little smaller than my current ones so will fit well in the frame. There is also a 54L which will mostly fit but will sit above the top of my frame by 30mm. not a big problem but not as aesthetic as sitting flush.

I have contacted the manufacturer and they have confirmed that the product is food safe and UV resistant.

Does anyone have an opinion on these or have a better product that they can suggest?

I know I can always look at bigger grow beds but I am kind of trying to come up with a modular system that can easily be scaled up or down or even added to as time goes on. Since starting this project I have been boring friends and co-workers with facts about AP and quite a few want to give it a go to but have limited space.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

They're UV resistant... but not food grade.... they're made from "virgin" plastic...

Thanks for the feedback. I contacted the manufacturer and the sales person told me thy were food safe as well as being UV resistant. I thought "Virgin" plastic (of the right type) was usually o.k. for food and it was only after it is recycled that it shouldn't be used.

Right now I'm open to any suggestions and recommendations that will fit what I have already built (will post photos tonight). I definitely can't use the original containers and I also contacted their manufacturer and found that they are not recommended at all for outdoor use.

I had a look myself at the big B in Palmerslum last week to find a container for a lemon tree and couldn't quite find the right thing. I am also trying to source some blue plastic drums in Darwin which is more complicated than expected.

Cheers

Contact the green keeper at the golf clubs. The water conditioner for the greens comes in blue drums. A good wash out and they are ok.

Thanks ccbear, I will try that later on the way home.

Cheers

Just started in this aquaponics game.

Found a good source of IBCs ($100 each) and blue plastic drums ($30 each) at Second Hand Building Supplies in Berrimah.

You can get Ibcs at Caltex Distribution in Winnellie for $50 (single use, I heard mineral oil is pretty good to clean)

I will keep second hand building supplies in mind, but $30 is lots of money...

Dauntless, welcome

You could always line the frame you have made with a pond liner. It may need some additional bracing, but it will maximise the grow bed space to what you have made.

Blue drums $20 max, IBS $100 ok. Oil easy to clean, Know Darwin is hard to get the basics.

Believe you all need to get together as a group and buy together. The more you bring it to the general public attentions the more people you will encourage to start systems.

Hope it works out as we still have the house at Adelaide River and would not mind going home.

Thanks for all the ideas and feedback guys. I really appreciate it.

I like the idea of lining the frame and already had a similar thought this afternoon. Your dear right about needing to re-enforce the walls but its not too late yet (I hope).

I currently have uprights in the corners only. I could add more along each side. attaching them top and bottom. The base will be strong enough after I fix up the holes I cut to allow for pipes but I need to make sure the sides will take the hydro static pressure. the total volume will then increase to about 500L of grow bed.

I will start posting some pics, including one of the now defunct container.