Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Mainly ornamental, although I had reasonably good luck with my vegie patch until I gave up in disgust when one of my chooks got into there for the third time.

I was just going to pop some lettuce seedlings in there for now, what do you think?

I have found they generally handle being transplanted ok, which is a factor since this is a very temporary solution and they are likely to be moved into the big bed at some stage.


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More specifically, cos lettuce, and probably some pak Choy too because we eat so much of it.


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Well I got home too late to clean the filter tonight after picking up my very confused foster dog who couldn't work out why his usual licking spree wasn't as satisfying as normal... Next time I have to take him to the vet could be an interesting effort to get him in the building!

But despite that, the water is looking clearer again, so I think I'm on the right track. Weather should be good tomorrow too so I may be able to get up early to do it instead. I am noooot a morning person, so we'll wait and see.


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My dog loves the vet. He sniffs everything, and wants to jump on and lick all the nurses, and won't sit still for the vet. They all seem to love him.

And I find sprinkling lettuce seeds over the gravel beds is all that's needed. They pop up really easily!

you could also try Spring onions are hardy and last a long time and transplant well.

Henry is the same, but my foster dog Chance has only ever been to the vet since I've had him. While I was filling in some paperwork I didn't notice he was batting a paw at a cage, then he worked out what was inside the cage - a cat - and I think he thought I'd bought him a happy meal. He went nutso, jumping around like a looney. Not ideal after surgery, whoops.

I slacked out this morning, so tonight will have to be it! Looking forward to having some green around the place.


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My puppy got hit by a car, leg broken in two places, had it shortened and pinned/wired in place.

The vet warned us he'd still be pretty doped up, and very lethargic. They opened the door to let him see us, he almost bowls over the nurse trying to hold him back, and starts trying to run around us broken leg and all.

The vet then told us to keep him off the leg. We asked him how, and he shrugged.

Got home late tonight so I manned up and went to clean the canister filter in the dark. Luckily it wasn't too cold outside tonight, and the pond water actually felt quite warm.
The filter was not too dirty, but I gave it a fairly thorough clean anyway, I figure every bit helps at this point.

But my late night was not practical for washing gravel, so the pillow filter remains. So far so good.

The warmer water seems to have encouraged more activity in the fish. Even with the cloudy water they are fun to watch :-)


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Have you gotten Joel's system up and running yet?

Or home yet?

Nope and nope.

A lack of hands has so far prevented me from fetching it. But I think I may have roped in some extra bodies for next weekend, which should do it. It's the limestone blocks that's the biggest issue :-/
But next weekend I have the full complement of Dad, Dom, my little bro, and hopefully one of his mates. Between them and a block lifted we should be right :-)


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EDIT: Apologies in advance for the long, rambling post. You'll see I get quite irrational towards the end of it.

My loofah has sprouted! As have a bunch of capsicums and possibly some tomatoes. I forget what I planted and where, and the leaves are too tiny to tell yet.

The loofah seedling looks seriously impressive. The kidlet was charmed by its big fat leaves and almost overnight growth. I think I will have to plant some more of those for the germination excitement as much as for the final product.

I would have expected the coriander to have sprung up by now though... And once again nothing from the sunflowers, I will give them another week before I write off this batch of seeds. So glad I paid a fortune for the Cosmic Flames - or not

In other news, I am so stoked with my gardenate app. I hadn't realised I could create my own virtual garden on there with harvest estimates etc etc. Very cool indeed. I really shouldn't feed my obsessive side like this though, I'm sure.

Next up I will be going to spend my Masters voucher on a Pipsqueak Lemon, and also on an Outback Lime which I've been wanting to buy ever since I had a cake where they were used as a garnish; delish So glad they're stocked in WA now. As anyone from WA knows, trying to import trees from the East Coast is a nightmare.
Does anyone have any feedback on the Pipsqueak Lemons? I want something quite compact for the space it's going into and it seemed like a good fit.

And finally.... SNAKES.
Two people in WA were hospitalized thanks to snake bites yesterday, and they are probably my biggest phobia.
Tiger snakes are a real issue in my area, and continuing earthworks in my estate, and destruction of their natural habitat is meaning that more and more are being found in and around suburban homes. I have had one live tiger snake ~2ft, and one dead one on the road in front of my driveway ~1ft since I've been living here, and I'm constantly terrified that my dog is going to find one. The child has a healthy fear of them and knows to leave well enough alone, but the dog - he's an idiot and would no doubt trot around the yard with one in his mouth just for fun.

I've seen the electronic snake deterrents advertised, but also heard plenty of people say they are useless.
So, I appeal to you all, how can I try and keep them away from my house???

I've never had a pond before because I was scared of attracting frogs, which we get in great numbers anyway, and they are a tiger snakes' favourite food. I'm really worried that the AP set up will end up hosting some. How many of you out there have frogs in your tanks/GBs regularly?

Yes, I realise I'm paranoid, but I grew up in the bush and had several snakes inside the house over the years. Instead of making me used to them, it's just made me a giant chicken who sees and feels snakes at every turn. Even now in the suburbs, come springtime I pull the sheets off the bed each night before I hop in, just to make sure.
Even in the middle of the night if i think I feel something on my arm or leg (usually it's just OH's hairy arm or leg next to me) I will leap out of bed like a ninja.
HELP!

My dad used to find snakes that got run over by the car, and hang them up on the fence to warn other snakes away.

I couldn't imagine it was that effective.

I'd imagine the more built up the area gets, the less snakes will be there. Dogs in a surburban area will scare them away as well, too smelly and moving around too much.

I am pretty sure a snake bite on my left arm is what killed me in my last life. I may have been from India. Past life stuff can be a little foggy. Anyway, that is what I remember from recollections I had when I was three years old. That being said, snakes really don't scare me. Spiders certainly can. But bugs are a part of AP, spiders included. So I have gotten better about it. I really only try to kill the black widows.

I'd have thought you were a pirate.

All my past life recollections from when I was a kid suggest that I was killed during a war. Somewhere with jungle and huts. Also that I was a man. Awwwwkward.

Also, Arrrrrrr! Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day, Ron! I normally get my wench on for the occasion, but I'm the only woman in my office now, my boss is a bit letchy, and there are only 5 of us here today as it is - so I've slacked out.

Also, all the snakes I have ever seen in the wild/my backyard are ones that can kill you, so I feel that my paranoia is at least semi-justified. I lost my last childhood dog to a snake, and I couldn't bear that happening again
Spiders don't bother me in the slightest, strangely. But mice freak me out. Mostly because they attract snakes though.