Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Great topic! This is my basis and I´ll start a topic about it in a few days because its not ready to run for a complete tomato testrun i think.

...it really is a mess uploading pictures here

Got it ..maybe one day I´ll add small fish.

Original topic: http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24647&p=501849

2 growbeds approx 50L full (half clayballs at the bottom and half riverstones at the top)
1 tank at about 160L with 3 NZ native crayfish

Mostly did this to grow chillies, but had to plant a bunch of greens to help keep the NO2/NO3 down. Still early days, but it's all working pretty well at the moment.

My trial Aquaponics system is now stable and plants are now surviving.
I was put off by the initial cost vs. return. By creating a system under $200, I think I may progress into "break-even" a bit sonner. :-)

I had an existing pond and decided to use the 900l/hr pond pump as the heart of the system.
Scouted around for growbeds, but could not find them for less that $265 (1 sq.m,), so changed the approach and bought a couple of "tradies tub" from Bunnings. well-invested $32 for about as much space.
The grow media was expensive $27 for a bag of 45 L, bought two.
Used hoses as pipes (13 mm) and old fence posts as support. $35 all up (hose/fittings)...
Got a timer off a garage sale for 2 bucks. 5 barra fish set me poorer by $15.

Total $140 (the pump was existing - ok allow $59, if you don't have that already)

Pumpkin has sprouted already, I have sown coriander, few eggplants, cauliflower, cabbage etc. Although I am not seeing any fruits yet, the plants seems to be happy and growing faster than their veggie bed counterparts.
Any pointers for the winter months?
cheers
V

Hi guys- this is my small scale aquaponics setup. Will probably expand to another grow bed soon however.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=25069

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-- Adam

This system is my first one and not the best ever, as the siphon is constantly giving me troubles, the "variable" pump puts out a constant rate of flow, and my original indoor idea failed epically.

But I've been learning a few things along the way; plants don't like LED grow lights bought for cheap (it was broken fresh out of the box to boot), No. 10 cans work great as media filters (until they start to rust), 90 pounds of gravel isn't quite enough for a small tote (I'm not sure how many gallons it is...), 4 goldfish is plenty enough to give the required nutrition in a system this size, mold likes to grow ANYWHERE, and a few other things I can't think of at the moment....

Anyway, here are the pics, before and current:







The rocks look dark in the last one because the system flooded, it's one of the issues I've been having with this set up. I think the down spout is in need of a rebuild too.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24532

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Life is short. Don't let anyone suck the jelly out of your donut. Especially your super fun motorcycling donut. That's precious jelly son.

My build http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=25201

Here is my very first aquaponics set up. Experienced my fair share of challenges but this forum helped me through them!

Plants:

Cucumber
Zucchini
Green Onions
Habanero
Trinidad Butch Scorpion
Jalapeno
Marconi Pepper
Green Bell
Peppermint
Silver Corn
Basil
Garlic
Strawberries
Yellow Onion
Blueberries

I have my AP system integrated with an Arduino so there are air temperature-controlled fans, water level monitoring, soil moisture monitoring, and a home-made motion light. Soon ill be adding water temp and pH sensors to the fish tank, and a camera to take daily time lapse photos of the plant growth!

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My (First) AP System

Make It At Home - Arduino and other Make It At Home projects

Active Technologies - My web development business

1st system built. Two drums used plus assorted stuff found in my storage. Plant to progress to 1000L IBC and DWC bed when I'm finished with this batch.

Plant's aren't growing very fast, maybe due to low fish density, only 12 tilapia and have 3 tomato and 3 basil, a couple just newly transplanted from cuttings. The other bed was a floating raft with 20+ bak choi but didn't do so well so ripped it out.

Learning a lot from experience and from reading the posts here.

Indoor, 85w lamp, constant flow and apparently an Iron or potassium defficiency.

[

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fishy farmers system

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=23478

I put a cheap small system together for mum to have a play with. She loves the idea and I'm still waiting to get my slightly bigger system together. I need paint the tubs still but cost roughly $100 in total. Roughly a 60L ft and 40L gb. Couple small goldfish to start up.

I'm not so sure how to attach photos, but here is a link to them!

http://hydroponicsforthefuture.blogspot ... ystem.html

My first system is in a 1,85 x 2,5 polysheet greenhouse.

FT is a 470 L aquarium sourced from my living room.
2 settlement tanks are 70 L multi boxes. That's what we call them here anyway.

DWC troughs are brickie bins, 90 L each.

Media beds are cut down brickie bins.

Pump is the filter pump for the aquarium. 3500 L/H @ 1 m head.

Total water volume around 700 L.

25 goldfish and around 10 others and a dwarf crayfish. A few snails and 25 Amano shrimp.

All wood, the black legs etc. are reused materials.








Feel free to say something nice and encouraging!

- Jens

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Cheers - Jens

My system:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=27466

My non finctional system after ~3 months

Small Basement DIY Aquaponics system (55 Gal tank, 80L combined grow bed)

This is my first attempt at aquaponics. I had built this setup in my basement to get a feel for the whole lifestyle. So far this system has been running for roughly 5 or so months and so far so good. There are things I'd like to change and certainly many things I have learned along the way. I am currently planning my next system.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments for improvements and upgrades please don't hesitate to post them.

I have created an in depth guide as to how I built my system for anyone interested along with other DIY projects I plan to take on in the future. http://thediycafe.com/2018/07/31/diy-aquaponics-system/