Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Faye try these .... for Hunter TAFE ...

Does anyone know of any online Aquaculture or Aquaponics courses?

I would love to work towards a B.S. in either. But I'm not in a position to be able to put life on hold and go to a conventional University for a couple of years to do it.

I'd say just by participating on this forum and building your own system, you know more about AP than any university professor will. I don't think you'll find an online AP course. There's a week-long course over the summer at UVI (University of the Virgin Islands) that covers Aquaculture and AP. That might be good if you can manage a week next summer.

I'd go for a BS in marine sciences or aquaculture, and see if you can get electives in hydroponics, organic gardening, and the like. (Somewhere we made a list of everything that would be in an AP degree....anyone remember where that was?)

I don't know of online courses in any of the above topics.

I tend to agree with Janet. Unless the course has been put together by an AP expert, then the only stuff you are likely to learn that you don't already know is some aquaculture stuff. I'm sure that would be very interesting, but whether it is necessary for the types of operations that most of us run (ie small and non-commercial) is doubtful.

There is nothing more frustrating than going to a course and knowing more, on the subjects that you were there to learn about, than the lecturer.

Yeah, but I would love to learn more about Aquaculture. I'm definitely coming at this from more of a commercial approach and from an aquaculture point as well. I unfortunately don't have the time to enroll in a traditional brick and mortar school. And now that I have found my passion in Aquaculture / Aquaponics, I would love to follow through on my start of college and finish it with a degree that I would be interested in.

First lesson.... be prepared to throw lots of money and time at it......

Second lesson..... have your land/site already and make sure it complies with ALL possibly regulations......

Otherwise..... good luck.....

Well guess what?
I have tried all the numbers and nobody has a clue what I am talking about, much less what aquaponics are, the last call thought Iwas enquiring about a fitness class!
I am beginning to think someone is pulling my leg.
Has anyone else had any luck?

Yep, I talked to "Neridah" on the 1800 number.... apparantly the guys name is Greg Waldron.....

Course is not really more defined than an "expression of interest".....

i.e if there's enough interest then they'll put in on.... no idea of costs at this stage... left my name and email.....

Rass - I agree that it would be very interesting to do a Aquaculture course and I'm not discouraging that. Am just saying that if doing an AP course put together by Aquaculture people, you'd need to be prepared for a great deal of the content to be specific to aquaculture. No offence to you either Fishhead.

Can't blame them for wanting to know if there is any interest before investign the time into putting the course together. Is a bit like the opposite of the field of dreams :-)

Yeh but got to ask the question-Who will be the lecturer be?
Is there some one in the wings we don't know yet?
Maybe XX has moved.

sorry I am a bit slow

February 2nd & 3rd, 2008
Liverpool, New South Wales
Two
day
workshop
The workshop targets issues underpinning the development, installation &
running of aquaponic systems and delivers specifi cs requirements, skills and
management with “hands-on” experience for participants:
If you are ...
investigating, developing or installing large or small scale aquaponics or
aquaculture system
an investor requiring background knowledge on operational processes
an individual who is interested in developing a home based system
This workshop will deliver the essential starting components
•enquiries
1800 064 242
•
•
Workshop Topics and aims
Government regulations local councils
Aim: To canvas and increase participants understanding the City/Shire Council issues
associate with the development of aquaponics.
Fisheries regulations and aquaculture
Aim: To provide information about the translocation of species within NSW why these rules
are in place and the need to protect the natural waterways.
Diff erent aquaponic systems from around the world
Aim: To provide a general overview of current world aquaponic systems and discuss
variations between several systems.
Critical considerations
Aim: To investigate and discuss the relationship between water treatment sytems and the
production capacity of the aquaponic system.
Why Bacteria are Important.
Aim: To review the types of bacteria and their roles in the aquaponic system.
Water quality parameters.
Aim: To assess the water quality parameters for healthy fi sh and plants and establish
thresholds for production.
Tank Hydraulics and Waste removal
Aim: To examine waste removal of solids from aquaponic systems, self cleaning tanks and
safe swimming velocities for fi sh.
Biological fi lters
Aims: To analyse the components in biological fi ltration, bio-fi lter medium.
To calculate fl ow rates and amount of medium needed in biological fi lters per kilo feed.
Aeration systems
Aim: To evaluate the diff erent information about aeration systems and stones, stones
placement and its role in waste removal.
System stocking density
Aim: To review stocking densities of diff erent fi sh species and aquaponic grown plants
based on season.
Start up Strategy
Aim: To examine start-up, system construction and cash fl ow; secure necessary permits,
testing source water, effl uent management plan, and identifi cation of fi sh and plant
suppliers.
Feeds
Aim: To calculate feeding regimes for smaller and large fi sh based on metabolism and fi sh
behavior.
Systems design and management
Aim: To provide information on system design, pre start-up activities, systems stocking,
daily management activities, system cleaning, record keeping and bio security.
Disease prevention
Aim: To review quarantine, bio security procedures, bacterial controls, UV light, ozone,
chemical controls to management disease.
Emergency systems
Aim: To evaluate backup systems for aeration, pumps backup, generators switching devices
and the pros & cons of manual versus automatic method
Moving, grading and harvesting fi sh
Aim: To develop procedures for moving and grading fi sh, harvesting fi sh for the table and
live fi sh transport.
The nuts and bolts… economic considerations
Aim: To practically scrutinise system cost, system running cost, production costs per
kilogram of fi sh and plants.
Heating systems
Aim: To design heating systems using low cost technology to multiply growth rates
Site selections and foundation preparation
Aim: To review site selection & leveling options, placement of service points for water and
power to maximise safety.

Faculty of Industry & Natural Resources
Aquaponics
REGISTRATION FORM
ABN: 87 332 107 743
Name:
Company:
Position:
Address:
Mail or fax this form to:
INR Short Courses
TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute
Newcastle Campus
Locked Bag 45
HRMC NSW 2310
Fax: 1800 678 941
Website: www.tafe.nsw.edu.au
Suburb:
State: PostCode:
D.O.B.
Phone/Fax:
Mobile:
Email Address:
Do you have a
disability
YES/NO
Special Requirements ………………………………
Location: Liverpool – additional information will be
forwarded on registration
Course
Commencing: �� February 2nd, 2008
�� Cheque Post a cheque/money order payable to “TAFE NSW –
Hunter Institute” along with the original of this
Registration Form to the address in the top left corner
�� Invoice An invoice will only be issued on receipt of an official
request on company letterhead or a purchase order
�� Credit Card
�� Bankcard
�� MasterCard
�� Visa
Total Due:
$ 825.00 (GST incl)
Name on Card
Expiry Date: -----/---- Signature:
Card Number: ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------
Further Inquiries:
1800 062 242
or
4923 7696/4923 7519
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Course Fees
Payment must accompany this
registration form to secure your
place in the course.
Upon receiving registration and
processing of your payment a
confirmation letter and receipt will be
sent to you.
Deferment Policy
Seven (7) days notice is required if
you wish to defer your attendance to
the next course. This can only be
done once per course.
Cancellation Policy
Seven (7) working days notification is
required before the course is due to
begin if you wish to cancel.
No refund will be forthcoming for
cancellations that we receive seven
(7) working days or less prior to the
course commencing. However you
may send a substitute in your place.
Courses run subject to class
numbers. If insufficient numbers have
been received by the close of
registration the course may be
cancelled or postponed and you will
be notified. Closing date for payments:
Seven (7) working days before
course commencement

Attached the PDF file (zipped) containing the course information and enrolment form for anyone interested...

sounds pretty thorough. Rupe you may be able to go as our rep and learn a thing or 2

Not sure that I will be financial enough after Xmas to do it.... plus I'm doing a quick trip to Brissy in the next couple of weeks

Also just enrolled to do the Cert II at Natfish -Casino, that means a weeks attendance up there for a workshop first week of March.... travel, accomodation etc... don't know if I can afford to do this as well, would like to.