Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

We have decided that it is time we started putting our system on the forum. Like most we have started with the experimental system.

450Lt fish pond

2 sections of NFT

We already had the fish pond in place (approx. 2yrs old) with a working biofilter. We inserted the NFT before the biofilter so that all nutrient was available to the plants. In a way we are running 2 bio's on the one pond.

Originally we put the system into lettuce, easy to grow, not usually too many problems. We had forgotten that the original purpose of this particular area is as an outdoor environment for our cats. It has 98% shade cloth as the roofing. Plenty of light, just no guts for the lettuce.

So on rethinking the issue we have planted cyclomens into the system, eventually we may need to go ferns.

Neat and tidy i like the nft with the removable top easier to get roots out .I find it best to filter the water first [no gunk sticking to the plant roots]

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If it/s free pick it up
If it isent broke dont fix it

Sorry Guys,

trying to down size the photos.

The following photo is of the new Greenhouse, he is the brains and i am the slave.

Muzza and his mates at work are building a 2000 lt tank for the pond which will be on the outside of the greenhouse, however we are a little unsure as to how many GB's we will need. Any ideas would be welcome.

Man that exhaust on that stove gives me ideas

_________________
If it/s free pick it up
If it isent broke dont fix it

I guess the amount of growbeds you want to use will depend on how many fish you want to have. If you want lots of fish, then cram in as many growbeds as you can for more nutrient extraction.. How big is the greenhouse?

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www.havehomewilltravel.com
Life on the road

At this stage we are considering Catfish and Murray cod (could be wishful thinking) and maybe the odd Redfin.

The greenhouse is 3m x 5m, so we should not have a problem fitting grow beds in. Contemplating a couple of verticals (materials unknown), large NFT or pots for tomatoes, same NFT as we have for lettuce and the rest in grow beds. At this stage looking at the clay balls for medium.

I am the only one in the family that eats fish, therefore stock will be mainly for greenhouse production. Wouldnt go hungry at 50 plus fish for a year.

How many fish can swim in 2000lts.

Good one TH. Love the greenhouse frame - are all the joints welded?

Bet you are keen to get that tank. When are you hopefull of getting it by?

No the joints are not welded we just made plates and just screwed together so it is easily disassembled. As for the tank we have decided that because of our work load we will buy a tank ,so we are looking at possible types at the moment.

Good Evening All,

Well we have completed the first stage (thank heavens that is over).
Muzz was in his element during last week with the big boy toys, well maybe we should call them the teenagers. We had the bobcats and dingos in to do a little clean up. They cut us a 2nd driveway and did a laser level of the backyard.

We got the plastic on the greenhouse over the weekend. Hopefully to never be pulled down. We went ahead and spend money on the appropriate fittings for the plastic. Never ever again. All three of us ended up with sore fingers, it is very similar to a V-lock system for shade cloth, just a little more difficult to install.

Let us know what you think.

wHAT DO WE THINK? i THINK DAMN FINE LOOKIN GREENHOUSE. CAN'T WAIT TILL THE SYSTEM COMES TOGETHER.

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www.thefishfarm.com.au

Hi THs, looks like ur having fun!
I would be tempted to have one large gb in the middle of ur gh, 4m by 2m wide. This gives you 50cm internal walking all around to maximize gb space, (8m sq). You could then put 2 verticals, one in each corner at the end opposite to ur entrance. Perhaps a row or 2 of hydro trays above ur large gb, running the same way as it.If u place gbs on the ground (I know plumbing will be a beach,) ur hydro trays will still be at a manageable height. I can picture it in my mind but can't use sketchup yet.

You seem to have plenty of fence space to attach some more trays to as well.

Murray Cod need to be kept at a very high density otherwise they will just eat each other, Cats don't and Silvers don't. If u plan on over wintering Murray Cod, you may need to think about heating. Where do u plan to put ur fishtank?

You seem to have a lot of options with that area there, hope it all goes well.

Evening All,

the better half is currently spending his evening making up some GB's.

Was just thinking that no one likes being on the second page. But unfortunately ours is a slow process.

Neat start guys!

Hi All,

this is what the otherhalf did all weekend. Left hand growbed is finished, however the other one needs another couple of layers so it is still in the mold.

noiiice. What growbed medium are you going to use?

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www.thefishfarm.com.au