Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Perfect I see the future now!

Let's grow square fish too

Hey guys!
I'm here for some confirmation...

Something has been regularly munching on my tomatos and I had been putting it down to birds.
Hole on the side of a tomato, and most of the middle has been eaten.

Until! I found this monster inside the tomato bush yesterday.
Can someone tell me what it is? Or if it's good or bad? Is it my tomato thief?

I went to go get my flame thrower, by the time I had returned I couldn't find the thing again. Amazing, because it was huge! Ild say over 2 inches long easily.

Looks like a huge grasshopper. kill it. It has wings and can fly around.

It certainly looks like one, and as i ran into one the other day, i can testify to it flying.
Pity its not an aphid eating monster! Guess it will have to go..

100% not a praying mantis.. that would be a friend to you.

Hey all, Just getting ready for the next season of summer. Been looking at the system and wondering how i could get more nutrients in without fertilizing.

Thinking about the sumptank as i run mostly constant flood now its a pretty steady level.

Im pretty sure i have enough media and plant load to take a fair bit more, especially if i put in the small NFT system was thinking of this summer.

I can get yabbies, or my freind can get me some redfin perch (i hear thats a bit naughty though!), or some barra
My other plan was some plecos which would be greatr to keep them clen, but something i can eat seems better.

Just wondering what everyone thinks i could stock, i was hoping for either 4-6 barra, or maybe 8 Redfin perch in the sump. Photos are in my first post, for those curious.

Quick system sum up, 1000L FT with 36 SP, 6x 350ishL Garden beds. 2x joined IBC sump.

How'd the system do through Winter? What is the water temperature now?

you would be best with silver perch - and they are all legit.
yabbies are really just a gimmick. Have a couple in my FT's but mainly just to eat the crap around the bottom.

Barra are hard work and you wont get enough growth out of them over summer from fingerlings.
(so would need a winter plan). search Barra on forum - discussed lots, everyones pipe dream.... very little success.

Thanks for the quick reply guys.
Not too sure on the temp atm, last few days have really warmed up. I'll get back to you tomorrow on that.

Yes I've heard the story's of barra, it's a pity. I would so love some. Must admit yabbies are not exactly my dream either. Doubt i would have enough for a decent feed!

Leaves more silvers or the redfin.... I've never had the pleasure of eating a silver but I know reddies are absolutely delicious.. tough choice. Havnt heard much about them in aquaponics though?

Anyone used them? I've heard tough, delicious and fast growing

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Ok, water temp is 22 at 9am today. Should be warming up lovely like now we have some warm weather

what ever happened to that grasshopper type thing?

It got boxed up, and then.. eaten by the dog. Really haha, he thought it was great fun to chase around.

I found another one a few weeks after, but none since, so luckily they didnt breed and spawn 100's of flying monstors

Well, Been potting around getting some bits done.

Word to the wise! Even filter less dirty water pumps still need maintainence every 2 months! Found that out while chatting to aquatec (pondmax pump) aha. So pulled it apart and gave it a birthday. Glad I found out!

Ordered 15 new SP through the Troutman, pick them up next weekend.

Have to design a quarantine tank before then sigh.
Anyone got any good ideas?

Few photos of my progress cladding the FT




And my new toy,


Still plenty of yummy produce coming out. Go some weird nutrient problem since I've been using different carbonates and also calcium hydroxide to buffer my phone to 6.5 though... must have it slightly imbalanced, maybe getting a bit of lockout sigh


Like these ones.. magnesium or potassium maybe?



Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Cladding looks fantastic.

Looking really good. Love to cover on the sump. Might have to borrow that style once I move.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk