Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, very new to aquaponics but very excited.

I am a Biology and Climate science student at university, and i have decided that i want to build a system where i can grow not only some good healthy food, but also take a more scientific approach to the whole venture.

QUESTION TIME:

I am looking at setting up 2 separate 1000 lt ICB tanks that feed my system.

Tank 1

This tank is the return tank from the grow beds. and here is where i would like to grow some food for my fish in tank 2.

I am looking at glass shrimp for algae control and possibly some duckweed depending on the fish

Tank 2

fish tank, looking to stock EITHER barramundi or Australian Cod, this tank is then the feeder tank to the whole system.


What are you thoughts on this style of setup, is this something that you have done or is there some variable that im missing.

any tips and advise for a novice greatly appreciated

you wont get algae growth in a properly cycled system with an appropriately sized filter.

Hi Shamous, welcome to the forum!

It sounds like Tank 1 is going to be your sump and Tank 2 your fish tank? That's a pretty standard setup and works well - take a look at the IBC of Aquaponics, the link on the far right in the black bar right at the top of the page. That'll probably give you a bunch of ideas and information!

Barramundi and Murray Cod are both fairly tricky fish to keep, and also both predatory - they won't be interested in duckweed. I really suggest you set up your system and get it well-established using something easier, so you get the 'general aquaponics problems' learning curve over with before you start the 'tricky carnivorous fish' learning curve! Silver perch might do well for you?

and also the FAO small aquaponics sytem publications - shows a few IBC variations.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4021e/index.html

filters are not essential, so if you wanted to feed shrimp, mussels etc you can simply run them in a/the large sump tank. They will feed on any crud that gets through and you can manage for a little bit of algae.
Duckweed would be an option but you would need a little bit of light.

other than that its really just a case of browsing the forum for ideas - no shortage of them.

re: fish +1 to what Mel says. Have a look at a few of the QLD and northern NSW systems.
but start off with something hardy.

Thanks for your pointers, really they all help in the long run,

With the fish tank, i am thinking of setting them up in a shed, thus controlling the water temperature a little and using solar lights to give them a little bit of a day night cycle.

The components i have been experimenting with are all solar, (QLD has disgusting electricity prices) so the pumps air pumps ect are all solar with a battery and timer, the only part that wone be solar is a small bio filter system that will run with the fish 24 hours,

the growing cycles im looking at are 20 min run time every hour during daylight, and maybe a short one overnight say 10 mins.

i have been looking at a swirl filter in there for the solid wast, any ideas on where i might be able to get one of them on the cheap?

If you've got media beds in proportion to your fish load (the rough rule of thumb is 20-25 cubic litres of media per 500g fish), you won't need a separate bio filter. As for a solids filter, the easiest cheap solution is "build one"! A swirl filter might be a bit tricky as they work best with a cone shape at the bottom, but you can build a radial flow separator out of a blue/black barrel (usually obtainable at the same place as second-hand IBCs), a paint bucket or large pipe section, and a couple of fittings.

Your water is going to be outside more than 'inside' The way I see it, warm the fish tank up slightly to keep fish happier, the water then flows outside to your grow beds that are either hotter or colder than your FT depending on season, this will null & void your efferts to control FT water temps.

What i meant was an appropriately sized biofilter.

ive never had green water once a system / pond is cycled.

there is some chance of getting stringy algae, but once the biofilm takes over that usually ceases to grow.

I didn't even think about that post Yav !! - mainly mentioned filters because the FAO doc goes in to them a bit.

But definitely good clarification for the OP, it is definitely about the grow bed media filter first and foremost..

Swirl, RFF etc are all optional after that (until system dictates them being needed).