Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Photos as requested.

One thing I have noticed that I have neglected to mention is that I am in a rental property. Everything that I have had to do had been with the view that it is not permanent, is easily removed and does not leave any lasting damage to the property.

This has resulted in an ugly hotch-potch system that is still working well and has given me the learning experience that I was hoping for.

I have had to put up shade cloth over the plants because the Blue Steel gravel is dark in colour. It absorbs the heat and gets pretty hot. It killed off some of my seedlings because of this heat.

I am hoping that once the system is established I will be able to remove the shadecloth and the plants will prevent the gravel from getting too hot.

More photos

The downstairs grow beds.

They have capsicum, eggplant, zucchini, lettuce, strawberries, cucumber, tomatoes (tommy toe & yellow) and parsley so far.

I am in the process of trying to grow asian vegies as well but they are proving difficult to get atm.

Looks like it's all working out to me Simon.... cool....

Did something similar with shadecloth hanging down the side of the GH to protect the gravel from the hot sun (2nd pic) functional shade cloth

Clipped some pegs on the bottom when the shadecloth started to curl

Simon,
Even those people who own there place ought to start things out the way you did; easy dismantling/adaptability. So often you either find out something isn't what you want to do, or you need to change the design for greater efficiency.
Kevin

Very nice! Impressive growth.

Well,

I had to go to Perth for a few days for work (unfortunately too busy to organise to visit anyone). When I got back I was staggered by the growth! Even after seeing all the posts and photos (including the photos over 28 days on Joels DVD) I am still staggered by the growth rate of these systems!!!!!

After adding the feeder fish the water greened up. I tested it for Nitrate, Nitrite and Ammonia and everything was ok so I let it sort itself out.

On returning from Perth I found that the water was clear again. Problem is, all of my fish were gone. I have no idea what happened to them. Problem with them was that they were very small and they all sat on the bottom of the tank so I had no idea if there was anything wrong with them. So why have they all died? Not a clue!

So I went out today and purchased some goldfish feeder fish. They are much larger so I will be able to see them. That way, if there is anything wrong, hopefully I will be able to see from their reactions what it is and then be able to work out how to fix it.

Add another bit of line to the learning curve chart!

Simon

ps - I have 2 zucchini fruit forming. So exciting! (omg, how sad am I )

disappearance of fish...... sucked up into the pump???..... observant cormorants or other wildlife??

Hi ROZ,

I had a net over the tank to keep them out. There is flywire screen over the pump so there is no way that they could have been sucked up so no idea....

Anyway, I went down to check out the goldies before dark and there is still at least one of the previous feeder fish alive.

I will have to put it down to one of those things.

Haven't got a turtle/tortose hanging around have you?

What about the next door neighbours cat?? Our own cats will nick our goldfish when our backs are turned. You would be surprised how they can manoeuvre around the net.

No chance of cats being a problem. The tank is tall & deep. I can't reach the bottom without sticking my whole head in.

As I mentioned earlier, the fish stayed at the bottom so cats would not have known about them.

And no turtle as far as I know.

Hi all,

I did a water test today.

PH - 7.0
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5ppm

Obviously my fish are not providing enough ammonia for the system at this stage. I am not going to be in a position to buy any fish for at least a week. But I need ammonia!

So, what do you all think is my best option.

Urinate in the tank (will that harm the fish?)
Add seasol
Wait a week until I get more fish

Your thoughts pls

Simon

Simon - the fact that you have plants and still have any nitrate menas you are producing more than the plants are using - albeit only a little.