Westfield Primary Aquaponics Setup

Burnsy

faye wrote:

Hey Mike, the cover looks like it has been there a while by the look of the bore staining up the legs. Why have they put the roof over the first 2 growbeds?
the paving looks really good :thumbleft:

The shelter was relocated from over some play equipment during the new building process - thus the bore staining. It is the size it is as that is what it was

I did not want to cover the whole system and this is actually what I would have ordered if it was bought new. Two beds in shade, four in full sun is a pretty good balance I think. I am actually a bit worried that the two beds that are covered may be too shaded and as such that end may need to be changed to clear sheeting.

earthbound

Wow, that looks great Burnsy..... :headbang:

Yeah, just stick the low light herbs into the shaded ones.

Burnsy

Picked up the two new GB's, stands and hydroton today for the 2nd system :cheers:

. Trout arrive in three weeks so best I get it cycling and planted out. Stay tuned for construction photos over the next few days.

arbe

More promises of photos. Let's hope these ones materialize.

earthbound

Never ending isn't it.......

If you fill the new system from the old one it will be cycled instantly... :headbang:

Burnsy

earthbound wrote:

Never ending isn't it.......

If you fill the new system from the old one it will be cycled instantly... :headbang:

That was the plan. A couple of beds need cleaning out of plants so I may even transfer 100mm of gravel or bluemetal into the bottom of the two new beds and top them and the old bluemetal and gravel ones all off with the hydroton. No problems with the gravel and bluemetal but the hydroton is so much better than the bluemetal for seeding into.

chillidude

earthbound wrote:

If you fill the new system from the old one it will be cycled instantly... :headbang:

And presumably you have lots of free labour there Burnsy :thumbright:

Burnsy

I have to say with all the new buildings complete and the area around the AP system all prettied up as part of the building process it is looking fantastic

As you can see from the photos there has been an unexpected benefit to the paving and filling around the system and that is that the growbeds are now quite low and really kid friendly.

First day the area has been opened to the kids for 12 months and the year ones were really excited about spending recess and lunch looking at the fish in the tank and the yabbies in the sump.

Had a great day in lovely weather putting the two beds together with all the year sixes while the sevens were busy doing NAPLAN. Only one pic showing the kids in action, there were plenty more but to many faces to hide. The comment made while this one was being taken was "this is even better than leggo". Stands were modified to allow one corner of the bed to hang directly over the tank and it worked a treat.

Hopefully I will get the pump in tomorrow and following that we can plant it out straight away, everything else is done :cheers:

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faye

That looks fantastic Mike, I bet you are really pleased with the results! The principal must be happy as well to let you add another system :lol:

What a great advertisement you and the shool are for aquponics, well done to all involved. :cheers:

Burnsy

The Principal is very supportive Faye and likes the whole AP and productive gardens thing, he is a keen fisherman. Next step is to find a sustainability grant so I can turn the whole 2000 litre system into an off the grid solar powered system.

Still keen for you to come and cook with my class one day!!

faye

How are things looking there Mike? I believe your school will be part of a tour happening on Tuesday!

Burnsy

faye wrote:

How are things looking there Mike? I believe your school will be part of a tour happening on Tuesday!

Sorry, missed this, been a little bit busy bringing another Burns into the world. Was great to see you today. As you saw the system is going great. A permanent overflow has been plumbed between the trout tank to the sump so as to make the most of summer rains in keeping the two systems topped up now that over half of the big silver perch system is covered. This also means that I can redirect water from one of the last growbeds in the big system into the 2000 litre trout tank which essentially makes the two separate systems one. This has been how it has been operating permanently for the past four weeks to reduce the volatility of the small system over holidays and during the trout season. Sorry no pictures of this, maybe Faye took some today that show it??

Was great to host part of the Stephanie Alexander tour today and introduce aquaponics and wicking beds to a heap more people who new nothing of it :headbang:

. was also good to see what some other schools to help reinforce what a great job our school is doing :cheers:

Simo

Burnsy wrote:

...been a little bit busy bringing another Burns into the world....

Congrats

donone

Nice to get new ones in the house. Good on ya.

faye

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The first pic shows the overall view of the system, ane how it has grown over time to 8 beds and about 8000 litres of fish tanks.

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Looking back from the fish tank and along the deck with grate over the sump tank.

Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics