Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all

I live near Mundaring in the Perth hills of Western Australia. I have been interested in aquaponics for years. Luckily Iast month I received a bonus payment from work so putting it to good use I purchased a Backyard Aquaponics setup (grow bed and 1,500L tank).

The other week I setup the system and planted it out with veggies and herbs. Filled the tank using water from our the rainwater tank via the firefighting hose. Whilst establishing the system and waiting for some fish I have been spraying the plant leaves with a Seasol solution and added some chelated iron to the water.

Today I tested the water in anticipation of getting some Silver Perch this week:

pH = 7.6
high pH = 8
ammonia = 0.25ppm
nitrite = 0ppm
nitrate = 0ppm
water temp = 18.7

I certainly have been enjoying creating a new daily habit of drinking my morning coffee whilst checking out the plants and listening to the water run through the system.

Hi Sally-Anne, setup looks good what did you use as an Ammonia source?

I haven't used anything to create the ammonia. I did add the bacteria supplied with the setup. I think also using the rain water that had been sitting in the tank all summer would have helped.

Welcome Sally-Anne. Looks great. You will enjoy it even more more once you have fish in the tank.

Thanks Ben, I am soooo looking forward to the fish. I have been checking your system photo's and notes. Looks like and your family are really enjoying the AP.

Welcome to the forum!

Nice setup and great place to live!

Thanks Gabe. I was looking at your setup absolutely amazing. As being a fellow hills person I am very interested to see you have barrels for fruit trees. Certainly easier than gardening by crowbar.

Do you have your heart set on silver perch Sally Ann? Trout will get you funtastic results compared to what the perch will do over the next 5-6 months. Silver perch really slow down over the cool months and don't eat much, trout will thrive and provide best results in your grow bed and be harvestable in 5 months. Trout feeding time gives you a reason to get out of bed on those cold winter mornings.

Thanks Faye for your suggestions

I was going with Silver Perch as I am not intending to harvest them. I know to some it seems odd to have an AP and only reap the benefits of the veggies and herbs. My ideal fishing experience is throwing a line with only a float on. No hook, no bait, no chance of catching a fish.

I would love to try trout however didn't want them to be stressed and/or die in the warmer months. Can the perch and trout cohabit well together?

If you're not intending to harvest the fish why not use Koi, you could sell the Koi when they are larger for good $$.

I've run perch and trout together and there were no issues. Just cover the tank so the trout cant jump out and you'll be fine.

+1 with the Koi idea...

My silvers I've had for about 5 years now and they are happy ticking along in the system. cold water, warm water they just keep trucking.