Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

maybe the feel once there system is working they have nothing to add? ive been doing alot lately, but i dropped my digital camera in my tank so i cant take pics of anything right now.

Oops. I once left a digital camera in my truck during a cold spell. They just won't work after being exposed to freezing conditions.

One sold in Adelaide recently. It was a bit expensive (owner was trying to recoup most of his costs) but it came with a free house

Dident know they sold worms in cans seems somebody opened one

Absolutly EB and Steve (No I dont mind any edit), im still learning...

I agree it really is essential to learn the relationships at play and the variables involved.

In my reading (Yes you Nazi English teachers out there, I read!), The grow bed media is important for a number of reasons.

1. The larger the pebbles, the more space in the growbed, requireing more water to fill it up, but also more space for Oxygen to get to the roots etc. But the growbed doesnt have as much "water holding capacity" between pump cycles as the water drains.

2. The smaller the space, lets say you used sand like jamie is experimenting with, then less water is require etc, but there is also the issue of the amount of space for bacteria to grow. Also the sand would have greater water holding capacity between cycles.

3. As for types of media - there is a forum link on that one on their benifits cost etc.

The growbeds are so critical. In our system at school, thats what I consider as I can in reality get anything for a fish tank. But as for growbeds:

1. Looking to minimise wasted space around a greenhouse
2. Maximising grow bed for veggie production
3. Length of life before replacement
4. Placement in relation to pump and its strength/ head height etc
5. Weight of media, its length of life and replacement
6. Safety - weight of stone your own back/ kids etc
7. Other equipment - piping etc...

Thats why when I build our system, im really pushing for a straight flood and drain, return flow to tank if possible... Simpler, easier, less variables for stuff up!