Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

After viewing on several threads the apperance of things one 'must do' or 'thing to avoid' etc, I figured I would take the opportunity to start a thread where we can post the commandments for aquaponics as they arise in our discussions...

So how about it Steve, AA, EB etc... what would you put as the ten commandments of aquaponics?

That is an excellent idea.

All joints should either be over water, gravel, or guttering that directs any leaks to gravel or water. (from experience, source of water loss in the past in my system was from leaky drain connection).

Pumps in the fish tank should be raised so that if the water return fails that the tank will not be pumped dry.

Three points that AA listed, and that i agree with

1. The less you do to it the better.

2. Smaller slow change is better than large or fast change every time.

3. Variety of plants and fish bring their own bacterial diversity furthering system stability*

* refer to number two

Number 3 has a * at the end then

* refer to number two. This an important reminder.

Sorry Steve, but I reakon there should be one slipped in at #1 above the others...

1. K.I.S.S.

does keeping it simple extend to testing?

Ok, so far we have ;

1. K.I.S.S.

2. The less you do to it the better.

3. Smaller slow change is better than large or fast change every time.

4. Variety of plants and fish bring their own bacterial diversity furthering system stability (refer to number 3)

5. keep pipe joins above tank or gravel where possible to minimise catastrophic water loss in even of leak

Doing well so far, when we get a final polished top 10, we'll have to make a special spot for it... Perhaps turn it into a nice fancy pdf to be printed off and posted up near your system as a reminder...

When in doubt, add fish! EB's no 1 saying

Well....

When in doubt, change some water out.

Never harvest everything at once.

In the begining use the tried and true methods, Don't reinvent the wheel.

Dont be afraid to ask for help - we all did!

always keep the water (and air if it's indoor) moving. when it stops moving it dies, and death spreads!

Never switch off the pumps to do routine things like feed the fish. I did this the other evening because I was too impatient to wait for the cycle to end and I found them gasping for air the next morning.

Lucky you found them before there were any mortalities!

Timing is everything. DD