Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Nice pictures Porter!

Thanks for the update. Everything's looking good there Porter

i do have a question, those are plastic totes correct? iv heard that plastic can break down and cause health issues if ingested is this an issue if used as grow beds?

Awesome setup and even better produce

I love this system! good work.



You can find lots of info on that in this forum and generally on the web. There is food grade plastic, and even medical grade plastic which is even safer. IMO plastic still beats most materials regarding cost & benefit. The real problem I would see is that the sun will be degrading it faster now that it is outdoors.

From what I have red there are two types of toxicity in plastics. One that "sensitizes" with time in your body, similar to when allergies start. The other type is more dangerous if you get it. You could also get cancer from exposing yourself to some components in a lot of plastics.

Would like to see how the plastic is doing after one year of sunlight and outdoor conditions.

Ironically what I red was one of the most dangerous and polluting plastics is PVC...

I'd say don't worry about using plastics, just make informed decisions and use the best plastic you can afford.

ya that is funny that PVC a plastic in everyones home for water supply is the most dangerous and pollluting.

It is really only polluting during manufacture. Once made it is basically inert if it is rigid PVC. Flexible PVC on the other hand has a number of chemicals in it that make it flexible and these leach out over time.

Hi Guys, thanks very much, appreciated!



Hi Charlie, yea way bigger than what we were expecting, we just plated a bunch over the weekend and they cooked up really nicely, and kept the four biggest males for breeding. The new place is great, settling really well, much happier. I learn't alot for the next move!



Hi James, you can pretty much discount all the fish tanks photos, we scrapped everything a month ago or so, and refitted the lot, i think only the big gray tub remains in the new system, i will get some photos up as soon as the last new bits arrive.

The tubs are 52ltr food grade tubs that have lived the past few years in a greenhouse set up with no ill effects. We recently moved and them breaking from material break down was a worry but we didn't one. They are bloody heavy, the 1/4minus beds are a two man lift at around 60kg each and the scoria are around 55kg each and they handle the weight with very little bowing. So far so good.

We have to start harvesting trout over the next week or so, whilst it is still quiet cool here, we have 24 Murray Cod arriving on Saturday. I will get to add my first trout harvest to the brag thread! Looking forward to that.

They are bewdies mate, you'll have to show Mantis where to catch some decent yabbies over that way, he always seems to come in with these little piddlers .... heheh

Well finally after weeks of delays, set back and weather issues, we have finally been able to get the new tanks finished, ... and we also have managed to achieved a 100% Solar Powered Aquaponic system.
We lowered the power consumption, with the 70w water pump, the 70w air pump and the little 10w air pump, it was too much. As such, we replaced the 3500lph/70w water pump with a 20W model, removed the air lifts and made the whole system constantly recirculating. We kept the little 10W air pump for tank aeration. With the system now 30W in total, or 0.125Amps, we had reached a point where we could solar power the whole system.

We added a swirl filter and bio filter (soon to be a moving bed filter) and ran the water return into the bottom of the IBC's, and its humming along nicely.

Looks a darn sight better too.

a couple more photos.

Actually, the mains PVC pipe that comes to your house is pressure pipe, which is both presure certified, and certified for potable/drinking water usage.

A great drive through Murchisons Gap saw a another visit to Glenwaters for our trout replacements....but, i think these little Murry Cod have some growing to do and fast! 15-20mm tops!

Alot smaller than we were expecting so instead of going straight into the tank, its into the nursery for a bit i think! or they are going to be trout and yabbie food!

Our First fish!
Fantastic!
These two came in at 380g each.
We are quite chuffed to be honest!
And they tasted fantastic!

Very nice setup and fish
Sorry to be a downbeat but those plastic tubs have a very limited life when exposed to sunlight. I have them as wicking tubs in my greenhouse and after 4 years they are starting to become very brittle. I am buying up blue barrels when I can find them to make half blue barrel wicking beds to replace the plastic tubs