Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Bit of a update, still have not tackled the new Apple laptop so photos are scares. Useless with the iPad as well.

Checked the system this morning and all appeared ok, feed the fish a quick feed of 85g ridleys number 6. Would normally feed more but this was a early inspection.

Back down to check again and noticed the line between the RFF and the digester was open and had been for over24 hours. Checked tank again and noticed a floater, nice silver perch which went in at the end of March. Was 180 mm long and 107g. Not bad as we are just out of winter with tank temperatures ranging 25 c max and 20 c min overnight the past week. My first loss since the SLO incident in December 2012.

Fish had nice even slime over it but appeared to have damage to the top of its head. No sign of any other spots or scales missing. Added extra salt to bring the salt content up to 2.5 parts. Ran the water pump and air together for a couple of hours, sweeped the bottom of the tank and turned on the airlift in the SLO to help clean the bottom.

Done some test, PH 6. Ammonia 1. Nitrite 0.25 and Nitrate 160, can not get the PH up at the moment. Do not want to add to much dolomite at the same time. Added half a cup under the water flow in two beds and will check again tomorrow.

Will head back down shortly and check again, also planted out more lettuce and spring onions have we have been harvesting all the Leeks a half the lettuce. Will buy some more today and they can go in this afternoon. Cheers

I can help you with resizing pix on apple, Bear. PM me if you need mate

Sorry to hear about your recent loss mate,

I think we need to have a beer on the week end and say a few words about the dearly departed

Try to get some closure

On serious note, why not put one of your spare IBC'S on that high ground next to your second sump and use it for your top up tank.
then you can make adjustments and be sure that the added water is going in at your target PH or slightly above.

My top up water tank is adjusted to high 6'es using a tiny bit of Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) this seems to help stabilize the systems PH to some degree and has certainly reduced the frequency and amount of added lime to buffer the water back up.

Cold beer and discussion seems to be in order for the departed no problems.

Bugga................Lucky you only lost the one, but still worthy of a BEER. mmmmmm Beer

Yes Muz you are correct, we should always show respect for the dearly departed.

Hey Blind Freddie you get lost or a little shower put you off. Been a long time since rain this year and showed up all the small faults in my modified lines to the water tanks. Bit of work tomorrow to strengthen the lines then a cold one me thinks.

Started without you chaps..

So long Mr Fush..

Good way to go Rob, BF came up this morning and we checked the PH out with his meter and mine, down to 4.9. Done a quick adjustment and is back up now but still not where I would like it. Slow moves will get it there.

Think the problem was when I left the line between the RFF and the digester open for about 36 hours. Water from the digester flowing back into the RFF when the pump stopped.

Will check again in the morning and see how it goes. Only feed a small amount tonight and it was all taken.

This red wine is nice thou, cheers

Decided to set up a RFF and digester a couple of months ago. Glad blue drums are readily available here.



First time I have tried to add photos using the ipad.

Was not happy with the flat bottom RFF so I obtained this baby from Blind Freddie. Moved the existing RFF to the side while I built a new stand and set up the pipe work. Will not be setting up the digester at this point as I have future plans for it.



All the veggies are growing well, have tomatoes, lettuce, egg plant, zucchini, spring onions and garlic chives growing in the four beds.

RobBob from Ipswich came for a visit with his family on new years day, great to catch up again and show them my system. Rob took a video of the new fish farm system but that is a story for a new thread.

Big thanks to Blind Freddie for coming up and giving me a hand to transfer the fish from the main tank to the fish farm. Will be running the main system fishless until decent fingerlings are available. Planning on a few modifications and clean up during this period.

Trust every one is well and enjoying the new year, cheers

Was great to spend some time with you both Sir
Working on the clip now & should have it posted (with some added nattering on about our RAS) in an hour or so
Cheers Mr & Mrs Bear

Here's a look at Bear's RAS with some extra prattling on by me..




Hope that helps Bear & thanks once again mate

Nice one guys, really enjoyed the vid. Looks like Bear has been busy. Hope I get an invite up to see how you Queenslanders get it done?

Welcome any time charlie, spare bed and a great area to look at.

Ended up with 71 Jade Perch, 25 Silver Perch and the 1 Ell tail cat fish. Looks as though 21 perch from my original order survived the SLO incident. Heaviest was just over 800 g average at 500 g for the jades. Silvers have grown well but will have another 18 months before they will be ready.

Thank you for doing the clip Rob, not sure if I will set up a different thread for the new system yet. Have to sort out the photos and videos my Molster took. Cheers