Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Guys,
Well here we are in the first few weeks.
The system is a 1500 litre firbreglass fish tank with a 300 litre poly growbed filled with Hydroton. A second vermiculite bed will be brought into service soon.
Started with 6 goldies and a few veg, (cant get any silvers till late January). I have been adding Seasol and Charlie Carp to get the veg going, obviously added too much as I had an algal bloom last week, Ph soared to 8.8!! Changed the water and added some duckweed and its gradually coming down, this morning 8.2
The Goldies are having a great time, the veg are growing and I reckon I am on the way to a good system. Ammonia/ Nitrites/ Nitrates all zero.
Flood/ drain cycle 10 minutes on, 50 minutes drain, 14 cycles per day using a HPM digital timer ($30) and an Eheim submerged pump. I have a small fountain pump on the same circuit just to add a water feature and help aerate the water, it also is a good visual check from the house to make sure the system is operating.
A suggestion to anyone starting up: Go and talk to someone who is already up and running. I live about 90 minutes from FishFood in Sunbury, and Milne's assistance has been invaluable in getting my system started
cheers
Rodney

Nice, I like your addition of the fountain feature for added aireation, matches some what, my method.
Curious why you take so long for your drain? I would think a faster drain would be best.
My reasoning,
1. With a side drain the bottom of the bed will have less flow so little mixing. A 50 min drain maybe setting you up for a stagnent spot.
2. A faster drain will give more DO through out the system.

Very classy!

What's in the green bin in the fish tank? Are you doing timed pumping with a perforated standpipe?

Welcome Rodney nice set-up
I have a similar drain time. I think using a standpipe it’s hard to reduce this much due to pump in must be faster then drain out. I have thought about going to auto siphon to increase cycle time to improve DO. So far it doesn’t seam to be a problem.

Hi Rodney

May I ask where you sourced your black bed from? Also info regards cost would be useful.

Many thanks

Johnnie

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the input
I based the drain cycle on FishFoods system, with only one hole in the final 1 inch standpipe, ands I hear what you say, I guess I can always put more holes in it, I'll keep an eye on it.
The green plastic container is my temporary Duckweed bed.
Its got a perforated base (its actually the top deck from a Reln wormfarm), and I have temporarily clamped it to the side. Eventually the duckweed bed will be fully floating plastic basin with small holes in the bottom so the fish cant get to the weed.
The f/glass tank came from Shepparton Fibreglass (Andrew 03 5828 3314) and the growbed is a poly feedtrough from Mitchell Irrigation (Jack 03 5792 3130) in Seymour cost was around $250 for the tank and $190 for the growbed. Andrew also made me a couple of rectangular fibreglass grow beds will will come into service later
a couple of pics attached, check out the photogenic goldfish
cheers
Rodney

Good one glad its coming together[I go with rodney best to see a running system and ask questians ]

A very notable system indeed. It looks like you have some serious vege growing going on!

Thanks Faye
Its a good productive backyard. We have come off a 40 acre self sufficient property, so we have the basics, but as the years increase, spinal quality decreases, so AP is the answer.
Wife Mary is the editor of Grass Roots Mag, and has written 2 books(sofar),
practice what we preach
cheers
Rodney

Nice Notable

There is certainly lots to write about around here! You are dead right about Aquaponics being the winner, production blitzes anyting I have been able to achieve in ground and the water use is the clincher. Welcome to our forum.

New livestock Arrives Today!!
Hi everyone, well my system has been limping along growbed wise, because 6 goldies are simply not enough to feed some plants, but they have been an advantage in getting my system up and running.
Well all that changed today, I took a drive to Glenwaters Native Fish Hatchery in Glenburn, Victoria, and picked up 51 little silvers. The order was for 50, but 1 was a bit of a runt, hence the extra.
Put them in the pond this afternoon, and already they are harassing the goldies, almost taking food out of their mouths.
Note that John at Glenwaters is nearly out of Silvers, so if you want some, move quick. He also has some good looking Bass.
I am going to remove my languishing summer crop and start again with some new lettuces and winter broccoli and try cabbages.
Ammonia testing starts for real tomorrow, and new planting starts later this week
cheers
Rodney

A Notable day...... excitement plus Rodney.... keep us posted on your tests and progress.... enjoy your new buddies

good to see Notable, hope everything goes well with the new guy's

absolute coincidence mate, I was there late today myself and a few managed to jump into a bag and onto my truck.
Be interesting to see how they go.
Glenwater's silvers are great, really hardy.