Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Im picking up the IBC's today. 4 * 1000L.

Will be painting them to make them more UV stable.

Design will be a CHIFT PIST. 1000L FT gravity feeding into 4 * about 300L GBs gravity feeding into a 1000L ST that pumps back into the FT. I have a 3000 L/hr pump that will be in the ST.

Planning on having a 50mm SLO in the FT to run the gravity feed to GB with step downs to 25mm and ball valves to regulate flow in GBs.

GBs will be using 25mm stand pipes that conect into a 50mm main drain pipe to ST, with slip-on Bell syphons for the option of F&D.

Planning on having yabbies in the ST with a netted divider, similar to how might be done for freshwater prawns. If i get a harvest out of them great, if not then will help break down solids. If i do this I will sleeve the powercables etc.

Unsure atm what fish to put in the FT, was originally wanting trout but bad time of year to start them, any sugestions would be greatly appreciated. I want to be able to harvest and eat the fish, and being able to breed them would be a huge plus for me. I live in Bacchuss Marsh in Western Victoria, Australia.

I wil add pictures as the system developes over the next few months.

Any input or advice would be great as im a beginer.

Sounds very similar to what I'm trying to build (see http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22256).

Only advice I can offer is what was suggested to me, which is to make the SLO 90mm.

Catfish are probably the only fish I can think that might breed in AP in oz, although I haven't read of anyone doing it.

If I mkae the SLO 90mm do you think id have to run the main gravity line to the GBs as 90mm also. Would 50mm just not be able to keep up with the flow?

How are the catfish as eaters?

I have both systems with your 90 and 50 options - go the 90 if you plan to have RFF or expand - but depends on your pump LPH


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I like catfish to eat but I can catch them in the rivers where is live so I have no reason to grow them in AP. I have family members that don't like them so it is more personal choice I suppose.

Welcome Petersen,

I'm just down the road in Melton, good to hear of another in the west!!

Thanks for the welcome.

I will probably go the 90mm for the SLO.

I picked up the IBCs and got the home fine, single trip on a 5*3 trailer.

http://www.imgur.com/g12PUdS

Hey thats a load!

I did that and my Dad made me tie them down beyond ridiculous.

Then a trucky drove past and said all you need is 2 vertical ones over the whole thing as they lock into eachother.

I had the IBCs secured with ratchet straps through the forklift loft points and then just some rope over the top to keep the liners secure, still didn't want to go above 80kph. $45 a pop, not bad.

What fish do you have Iceman, I'm not sure what ill be putting in mine, not sure on the cat fish. Would like to try Macquarie Perch but not sure how you would even get some.

I'd skip your Macquarie Perch and go for Tandas Catfish they're very hardy for a first up fish and handle the Victorian temperature fluctuations very well.

Besides they're a bit touchy about Macquarie Perch.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets ... _perch.pdf



It is illegal to catch and keep, buy, sell, possess or
harm Macquarie perch (or any other threatened
species in NSW ) without a specific permit or
licence, and significant penalties apply. For
vulnerable species, these penalties can include
fines of up to $55,000 and up to 1 year in prison.
There can also be significant penalties for
causing damage to the habitat of a threatened
species.


And being a Victorian they might go a bit harder on you


Just buy your fish from a hatchery/fish farm it's a lot easier and go for your Trout next year.

Yeah the Macquarie Perch is unlikely to be possible, id only get them if it was legal and possible from a hatchery, I think Snob's Creek Fish Hatchery might be breeding them atm but only from deduction not from advertising. I'm tempted by trout but bad time to get them, pity seeing as I work 2 minutes from the Ballarat hatchery.

Will probably start with the catfish just spending time research other options.

Look you could buy 10" trout and maybe grow them out too a decent size before it gets too hot.

Go down to the Ballarat Hatchery and have chat to them and see what they say and see what they can sell you.

I've had my Silver Perch & Tandus Catfish since before Christmas and they won't grow out for at least another 9 to 12 months and I couldn't put any Trout in with those guys or they'd be dinner for the Trout. Next year they'll be big enough to put a few Trout in.

Don't get too many fish until you learn the ropes, just a few to start off with.

Thanks for the advice joblow

I was planning on starting with a low number of fish, maybe 10-15, can always add more later. I think I should be able to eventually be able to support 50 or so fish with the system I'm building.

Ill see what is available when my system is built and cycled as to what will go in it, which will be at least a month from now.

I will be cleaning and hopefully painting the IBC's this weekend, weather depending.

I look forward too seeing what you come up with