Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yeah more signs coming. It's right on street so you also can't miss it!

Still working Pond Sucker, so no time to respond to all of your post, but thanks!


Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

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Bcasey i have been following your progress,please let me say what a fantastic job you have done on all of this,absolutely inspirational....

Thanks Dasboot! Hopefully the customers think so! Everyone is commenting how nice it is, must admit it's a nice feeling!


Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

Build thread- viewtopic.php?f=18&t=21974&start=75

Been keeping busy and a little slack on forum. Trade is good for early days! Pics cause that's all I got time for!








Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

Build thread- viewtopic.php?f=18&t=21974&start=75

Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

Build thread- viewtopic.php?f=18&t=21974&start=75

Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

Build thread- viewtopic.php?f=18&t=21974&start=75

Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

Build thread- viewtopic.php?f=18&t=21974&start=75

Would you like some basil and Jade Perch with that latte sir?

Build thread- viewtopic.php?f=18&t=21974&start=75

You had me at -



Really loving your work man, I'll have to make a trip over one day.



(dammit, that image was supposed to be the GT...)

looking awesome Ben!!

Thanks IMD!

So still busy busy, council are being slack on giving me full licence (no issues on my end, they are just taking their sweet time to even inspect), but things are progressing! I have added 4 DWC tanks, that are all overly deep, as I plan on having a small population of freshwater prawns and yabbies in each (singular species in each of 4 tanks). Unsure if they all eat plant roots, but judging on their lack of interest in duck weed and lilies in FT's thinking I will be safe. I have used the last frames from my slowly dwindling supply of IBC's (but I believe I have sourced another 10 free, and one a month after that.. I love my industry! Swapping the bloke for a free coffee everyday) which is timely as I am currently short on frames (i have heaps of bladders).

So I have 3 700L DWC IBC tanks, and one 500L DWC tank that is an old freezer. Got access to the large shed (about 100 sqm) today and there is 4 freezers in their that are all punked, so if this works well, more DWC's on the way. Though one will probably be a dedicated "filter" filling it gravel... as I plan on upping fish soon, as I plan on buying a 2000L double walled bottom draining stainless steel tank for $800-900, which I think is a bargain. Fingers crossed I can get this, as it is proving to be a muck around. It was on offer for $1000, which wasn't in budget, but things are going well so can probably squeeze $800, and Rob Bob (of "Bits Out The Back, Urban Farming") is taking one as well so if I buy both (or facilitate) I am hoping to sort a deal.

Had a "only AP people would understand" moment tonight, hooked up new DWC tanks, and was very happy with plumbing, as I had to cut corners as to fit s/steel tank as above into budget, I haven't purchased any new fittings, just what was left over from original build, and it went swimmingly! Except by using the superlative "swimmingly", I cursed myself. I am still using my "worm farm filter" located in the sump, until I sort out RFF/swirl filter (haven't worked out difference or preference yet) and the extra flow to the returns pushed my filter overboard, which containing filter pads, micro fibre cloths and foam pads, being loose in the sump was not a good proposition. Anyway as my sump (a full IBC buried underground which was hardest job ever, all rock hard clay) is below ground, with a child proof and heavy lid, and I have had a few celebratory ciders due to the addition of my DWC's, i very carefully had to go for a swim in my sump to pick everything up. It's in tight, so "fishing" with a broom was really not an option, but i did go for a shower first with no soaps, so hopefully I didn't do any damage. My dog went off his nut as he doesn't like me swimming without him, so overall it was an interesting experience.

SO why more space? Mainly for salad greens that I want to shade, as my main GB's are in full customer access and I haven't come up with a "pretty" way to shade them (as I am very happy with how they look and don't want to mess with them), as well as I want to grow watercress, as it's something that is hard for cafes/restaurants to keep as it dies quiet quickly, but obviously not a problem for me! Egg and Watercress sandwiches, prawn and watercress sandwiches, and watercress soup is something I plan to be famous for, if i can learn how to grow anyway!

People have been loving the salad greens, which are a mix of lettuce (though this is struggling in heat), pak choi, rocket, an silver beet. I mix it with a 50% mango chutney (made by a local lady whose chutneys/jams I sell) and 50% rosella and caramelised onion jam (which I made myself). I do the spell every time, and it is very rarely not eaten. Had a couple old "salt of the earth" 60+ year old farmers come in the other day whom gave me grief suggestiong they eat "rabbit food", but they licked it up! Even kids are eating it, which is cool. Mix of peppery/crisp greens and sweet chutney/jam thing is kicking ass! And the freshness of course!

I have some grow grips from Iceman coming, which I am pretty stoked about, hopefully they are here in next couple days, as DWC's are ready to go! Being out in the sticks, I have found mail is slow, so hopefully not too far off!

Next step is more fish/yabbies/prawns. Yabbies and prawns I am getting myself, just need to check "pots" more often. Fish is either get myself or order, knowing me both a haha. Still haven't seen any evidence of nitrates (though ammonia and nitrites are at 0 which is good), so need more POO POWER! I did a hardness test the other day and one was nothing, the other off the charts, but need to retest and ask the forum to help me workout what it means as the inter web searching has yielded no decent info.

People are realign loving the concept, and I want to thank everyone for the support and help over the time, and I will try and get on more often!

Anyway the novel is over, and here's some pics, as I know thats what we like!

Lets see if I remember how to post photos via web not tapatalk haha

Pics!

Pics!