Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm pretty sure that I got the idea for using an anaerobic digester from a post on this site somewhere. I researched the simplest possible anaerobic digesters. My anaerobic digester is very simple - a plastic tube with a few holes in it and pipes attached. Essentially, it is a "marsh in a tube". It is simple so it has lots of limitations:
1. It is not working at ideal temperature, so it is very, very slow.
2. The only input is kitchen and garden waste, so the methane output is so small that I only use it to prove that the digester is working.

The plan is to put the output of the digester into the algae pond and the duckweed pond. (These ponds aren't built yet). I did put some of the output into my current pond a few weeks before I put the fish in. The algae and duckweed seemed to love it, but I wouldn't dare do it when there are live fish in the pond - I don't know what it would do to the pond chemistry.

The advantages of anaerobic digesters are:
1. The output is very nutrient-rich.
2. The output is nearly sterile. If you spread it out in the sun you can sterilize it further. This ensures that any algae cultures (or any other cultures in your system) don't have to compete with the input from your digester.

I will take some pictures over the weekend. I warn you - all of the stuff I have done is "proof of concept". It was done in a few weekends. It is very simple and very ugly - not as pretty as the great work that you guys are doing. I hope to do better with the next generation of ponds and grow beds.

David C.

By the way Steve, I have been monitoring Ammonia levels. As you expected, the nitrates went up, but ammonia dropped - only to 4 ppm as of this morning, but at least it is dropping. The bacteria culture seems to be doing its thing.

The silver perch all continue to cope with the ammonia levels - no deaths yet. I'm expecting a continued downwards trend.

I am not feeding the perch at all. Their diet is duckweed and snails (I did not expect them to kill adult snails, they are only fingerlings.... oh well RIP snails).

David C.

Have you looked closely at my stuff???? not nearly 'pretty'...
Looking forward to seeing those pics as I am open to adding more/new ideas to my system and nursery!

Hi everyone.
Just filling in some rare spare time and found this topic.

I have had a "small" amount of experience breeding silver perch and Jade Perch in my fish room. (See picture on left of fish room.)

I would say Jades are easier than silvers to breed. (BUT trickier in many ways.)
You will need a special tank to spawn them in.
It has been known for them to spawn without hormones, but realy you will need to inject them once the eggs reach the right stage.


For future interest we can have your fish delivered to your door in Melbourne, and Brisbane and most of South East Queensland. (SEQ)
We are working of a delivery service in Adelaide and Melbourne.
It costs $30 per consignmnet for Melbourne and $25.30 in SEQ.
NOTE: Airfreight is on top of door delivery outside SEQ.
Getting together is a good way to spread the cost.

There seems to be a few of you in Melbourne. I will be in Melbourne in a few weeks. If you are interested I could do a PowerPoint presentation for all of you at someone's place, for a price............a few beers.....

Attached a of picture egg sampling

I have a ceiling mounted digital projector in my home theatre room. You would be very welcome to do a PowerPoint presentation! I'll supply the beers!

Lucky buggers!

sounds like a plan to me! David do you want to co-ordinate with Bruce and then give us the date and time and what beer you prefer?

Wow, i wnet from feeling like one of the only melbournians here to having a "crew". Cool.

Bruce, just as i was reading the door to door delivery prices i had a gaping mouth thinking "but that cheaper than............." then i read the next few lines. Nice to have the service available for those that aren't as close to the airport as me

Lol on the fish room comment

It would be wicked if that coincided with the Mirramurra Aquaponics field day!

I can feel an aqua-weekend comming on!

First off guys my favourite beer is made in Bundaberg.

What’s this “Mirramurra Aquaponics” field day? Is it part of Geoff Wilson’s tour?

I arrive in Melbourne on August the 15th and leave for Adelaide on the 26th.
Do you have a preferred date.

Didn’t see the attached picture. I must have done something wrong. I will try again.

Wow I did it. Pictures and all.

Thanks for the pics bruce!

YEs, minamurra is part of the tour, its a free day + BBQ on friday the 25th August at a commercial aquaponics set up. I think we have quite a few people comming, and since you're in town...................
see this link

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... .php?t=184

Maybe co-ordinate with Aeldric since he has generously offered his theater room Since quite a few of us will be out and about on the friday morning arvo, how about late friday arvo / friday evening? Only if it suits.

That would be sensational!! Would top off what is hopefully going to be a great day!!

Damn I really will have to try and sort out getting over there now......