Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Can never have enough media :] I used broken clay planters with quite a bit of success, dirt cheap too. Am begging mum and sisters to put up a video of the system back home but am told its going great guns so the clay shards are working

Yeah, same happended to me. The clay balls tend to float a bit, and the lower ones push the higher ones above water level. As the spheres pack space more efficiently, and the clay gets saturated, the whole lot sinks a bit.

Ermmmm time for my annual report.....

The little feeder fish are still alive and happy. But not the advertised 30cm. I believe they are at maximum size now at about 6-8 cm. But forget about them.... I got jade perch!!

I got ten 15 cm jades from a friends friend. Paid him hkd 20 for each one. The water is still a little too cold maybe for them going between 16-19°C so not eating much.

Made a duck weed box this morning which uses water from the ft and returns by a overflow pipe.
Just a quick question - should I open the in flow the same as the pump at a trickle or open the tap once in a while (a couple of days? To refresh the water). both in and out pipes are below the water surface so they don't disturb the duckweed growth.



More pictures to follow later.

Sent from my GT-I9001 using Tapatalk 2

duckweed box.
Water trickles in from the main pump outlet via the tap valve and fat tube.
The exit is the smaller pipe. The small hole prevents any possibility of siphon action emptying the box.
Put a few things in the box for frogs or whatever might want to live in there. Not mozzies though - not welcome!




From the left:
The electric box, the duckweed box and finally the shade covered fish tank.



The bottom side of the shade lid. Simply split bamboo connected with cable ties. Who doesn't love cable ties?!!



The fish! Ten jade perch are the stars at the moment. The thing in the middle is the pump inlet. Covered to avoid fish going in. the pump at the top of the picture performs minor filtration but helps to keep the water moving. I think it is of limited use, but leave it on anyway.

Sent from my GT-I9001 using Tapatalk 2

Hi Paedur, I'm looking to start an aquaponics setup also in Hong Kong. Can you advise where you got your expanded clay pellets from? I've found some German ones at the flower market in Mong Kok but pretty expensive.
Thanks Fishstreet

Hi Fishstreet,

I go the clay balls from a friend of a friend who is in farming. He gets it from China. How much are you wanting to get? I can ask him and put you guys in contact if you are needing a lot. He doesn't deliver so you will have to go to pick up yourself. Whereabouts are you?

Last time I bought 10 big sacks and the price is very reasonable.

Paedur

Hi Paedur,

I'm in Sai Kung and I'm looking to get a system going using IBC's. If its in 50l bags I think I'll need at least 15 bags. If you can forward me the contact I can certainly arrange for collection.

Many thanks

I'm checking for his contact and will PM to you when I get it.
That must be quite a system you are building over there! Where are you getting your IBC's from?

I 'd love to use IBC's but my location is not easy to transport to.

Sent from my MI 2S using Tapatalk

Jades drop of their feed at water temperature 20c and below and if it hits above 28c start adding more air. My water went to 11c last winter and they survived but would not want to go lower or for long periods. Most of the time it was around 13c. Good find on the jades are they being commercially farmed over there now.

Been back 12 years now and miss Sai Kung, lived at Clearwater Bay and drank at the Duke of York in Sai Kung town. Great times. Cheers

Always amazes me that native australian fish and crustaceans are found/farmed in overseas regions.

I'm planning on using a 3 IBC system on my roof top. I'll post some photos of them being hauled up there, that should be interesting. It's been a struggle sourcing the IBC's but I found a supplier in Guangzhou. Most suppliers are only willing to sell a minimum of 18. They also make fibreglass fish tanks for the aquaculture industry. It you want the contact for the IBC's I can forward it on.

The Duke of York is still there. I've partaken of a quiet one there myself.

I understand that the Hong Kong department of agriculture has been promoting the farming of Jade perch. Also, Kadoorie farm has been running workshops on aquaponics but I think it's only in Cantonese.

3 IBC's on a rooftop! That's gonna be interesting to watch!
Just a gentle reminder to consider the weight of the system include water and media and everything. You don't want it ending up in your living room. And make sure you have good drainage - just in case you spring a leak in the system

I assume they are going to haul them up from outside?

There is a place on Route Twisk that sells the IBC's secondhand. I've not bought from them but I have bought blue barrels from them in the past. As you go from Tsuen Wan they are on the RHS. You will see place with a million blue barrels - that's the place. That's more cost effective than shipping from China and it's always good to recycle.

Be sure to start your own system thread. And let me know when you have done so. I'll be interested to see how it develops.

Yes, the Fisheries Dept has been promoting Jade Perch. They are running courses but as you say in Chinese. I've not heard of the aquaponics courses from Kadoorie. I did most of my learning from here and other websites.

Hi Fishstreet,

I sent you a PM with the contact for getting clay balls.

Hi Fishstreet, i am building a very small system in my garden in Sai Kung/Clearwater bay. still in the early stages and have bought my tanks and growbeds from harrods in sai kung, if you know of any better places to get suitable tanks, let me know.