Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Fish have decided they can eat again. Been feeding one scoop morning and night all winter. All food was gone in 10 minutes over the weekend, so have upped the count to two scoops. Took about 20 minutes, but its all gone. So about 1 and 1/2 scoops gone in 10-15 min no problems.

In laws have arrived from Sydney for a week. Introduced them to my fish and GB. Apparently my brother has a system out the back of his place too., But he has pots in running water. Has made a water feature out of it. He must have more left brain than me. Grows all his herbs out in it and water chestnuts.

Had spag bol for dinner last night made with cherry tomatoes from the garden. Yay its still early spring, but heaps of fruit on them toms. The plants are out of control, but its great to have the fruit at the beginning of the season. Hopefully they last right through summer. Shit, the roots are gonna be massive. Might try and do some pruning to gain control of the bushes over the next few weeks.

I know the weather has turned at last. The local pond has had an explosion of duck weed happen in just two days. Grabbed a hanfull and put it in a bucket this morning. Will see how quickly it grows at home. Some extra food for the Silvers to munch on during the day. A bit of variety for them. I found a bucket which had worm wee in it had heaps of mozzie wrigglers in it the other day. Not any more. Strained off the wrigglers, chucked in some fresh water, then into the tank. Gone in minutes.

The big question? Do I eat the big fish, or let it keep growing. Will it be dominating the other fish, and thats why they are smaller, or will their growth stay low even if I take biggy out?

Oh yes, Its October. Time to get the next rotation of fish into the system.

I saw a few months ago someone mentioning that when the removed the bigger fish others took their place but I can't remember where it was.

Great to see the fish taking off again Doc. How many you stocking?

Martin,

Just 15 in one IBC system. Size ranges from 450mm to 200mm, all 2 years old last weekend. Will add some more (10) fingerlings very shortly. I want to have the crop of fish rotating, just like the vegies. Will add 2 blue barrels when my top up water is used up.

Nice Doc. 450mm is quite an impressive size. Some good eating you got there.

Went up to Welly dam on Frday and saw it overflowing. It last did it 4 years ago, but this is the first time I've been up to see it flowing in 20 years of living in WA. Came back through Furgy valley and thought about the missed opportunity of dropping into see Gav. Stopped off and had a beer and staek sandwich at The Moody Cow. That made me feel alot better.

Cleaned a bucket load of roots out of the guard pipe, but it was still flowing cleanly. Planted another tomato plant to give some bigger toms. Still pulling a couple of punnets per week from the cherry tom plants. The fruit has got bigger now. The were not much bigger than pea size. The warmth during the day is making them alot fuller in flavour as well, and the have a good feel to them, not all flourey, like when it takes forever to ripen.

Seem to have got rid of most of the snails now. Flooded the bed a few times over the weekend and plucked heaps out. Potatos are all lost unfortunatly. Might try again once the rain buggers off.

Hey Doc, are you growing the potatoes in the bed or in soil?

I'm feeding snails in bags actually. Old pool salt bags filled with potting mix/worm castings.

Might try making a stack in a chicken wire tower next time. I have access to hay/straw and dirt now.

Ah ok. I want to give the potato bags a try too at some point. Luckily we don't have huge snail issues but I'm sure there would be some bugs wanting to make them into lunch.

Regards, Martin.

It was all going along so well, until they attacked. Heaps of growth from about 8 spuds. Hate it when it seems to disapear over night.

Trying to get letuce seeds past the seedling stage. Trying fracois' method between two sheets of polystyrene. Have theme in water, hopefully away from snails.

Yeah very frustrating I'm sure.

I'm still a big proponent of guinea fowl for pest control but I don't practice what I preach so I don't know if it is worth pursuing at this time or not. Seen many good reports but don't have experience to back it up.

Regards, Martin.

Finally some joy getting seeds to grow. seeds planted last Thursday night. (new moon ish) .I have heaps of lettuce sprouting now. One batch in growing mix, other in styro foam sandwich. Both lots look as successful, although styro foam is much cleaner. Will report progress.

That's great Doc. Along with some pics that news is most welcome.

Dr Bee what is a "styro foam sandwich"?
I am trying to get lettice to grow but am not winning. they ae currently in floating pots filled with that light weight "gravel BYAP sells.
Marticulus - Bunbury

Marti, The Stryrofoam Sandwhich is a high tech innovation from Francois in South Africa.

I'm sure Doc could provide the link I can't find it right now.