Aquaponics setup at Kelmscott High School

johnnie7au

Tony has done a superb job. Phil has done an excellent job putting it all together.

One growbed was purchased by two of my year 8 classes fundraising efforts last year.

Supplimentary air is provided via a large air pump which was donated to me by Perth Cichlid Society members who have been amazing regarding their other donations in support of my efforts to bring aquariums, aquaculture and aquaponics to both our classrooms and on our farm facility which is an idea that I had instigated and pushed for for the last three years or so.

Aquaculture is the way of the future and therefore it is important that we develop an interest and a passion in our students who are thinking of pursuing Agriculture as a career. Aquaponics in particular allows the students and teachers a great opportunity to develop deeper understandings of agricultural, biological, chemical and even engineering concepts if the facility is utilised well.

RupertofOZ

Didn't realize this was "your" school... and the culmination of several years work Johnnie...

Must be nice to finally have it all come together.... and don't down play the effort you've put into to it... we've all seen it mate.... :cheers:

johnnie7au

Thank you for your kind words Rupert.

I only did the leg work at the start and "cultivated" the idea of aquaculture, aquaponics at the school farm and in several classrooms. ( I started with three wheelie bins!)

My vision from 2005 is coming to fruition although I have little to do with developing the faciity recently.

None of this would have been possible without Tony's input, the kindness of people from PCS, who have donated equipment. Also the talented technicans who plumbed in the AP system, set up the aquarium racking and aquariums.

RupertofOZ

Without vision ... and leg work... most projects just don't get done Johnnie...

And those that have the vision... and do the leg work... often aren't the ones that get the recognition....

Well done mate...the glory and recognition really are yours...

But a thank you as well to all that helped Johnnie bring the project to fruition by donating time, materials and services...

Burnsy

tonyabalone wrote:

Rupert the three beds are all that is available. I've just been informed by one of the teachers that he and his class paid for two of them. It would be nice to have more but there is no more room in the shed, which by the way is a coverted piggery. This of course limits the final stocking density.The tank and growbeds have been in operation for a few months now and the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate have been monitored and so far so good. Fish have been gradually added and if anything Phil the farm technician who looks after the shed(amongst his many other jobs) has been underfeeding to ensure the system is not overloaded. I've been occasionally taking dissolved oxygen readings (I'm only there for about 90 minutes each week) and the water is usually around 95% saturated). As for the final stocking density I don't see it getting more than 10 kilos per cubic metre as being a school come school holidays etc it just means more work for Phil if the stocking densities are high. The cost of feed is also a factor and Phil is coming to see me on monday to pick up some barra. feed.

Tony, any chance of you dropping by us each week to take a DO reading as well? Would have been interesting to get one on Friday after we had had the 36 hour power outage.

In regard to food, they may not be aware but City Farmers just down the road from them stock the 20kg bags of trout and barra feed, it is easier than going to Advanced in Naval Base to get it.

Is there any scope to plumb in another couple of beds outside or would this cause it to be to hard to maintain the water temperature?

John, great to see a large system up and running at Kelmy, hopefully we should be able to start sending you some AP experts as of next year

tonyabalone

Burnsy thanks for the info about feed availability near the school. I'll pass that on. I've just given some feed to someone from Kelmscott who had to come all the way to Fremantle to get it. So knowing that the school can get barra. feed close by is very useful to know. Thanks again

Regarding taking dissolved oxygen readings next time I'm out at Kelmscott I'll call in with my dissolved oxygen meter and take some readings. Won't be this friday however as the students are doing trial exams for Year XI. If you give me a time and address Burnsy I would be happy to call in next friday (5th June).

creative1

Anyone forget about the Backyard Aquapoincs Shop in Jandakot?
I know they have fish food :flower:

RupertofOZ

And they've a long history of aquaponics experience as well C1... spanning many years .... and they sell aqauponic systems... and run workshops... :wink:

Actually... just remembered... this is their forum as well ... :lol:

creative1

I think they know more about BYAP than anyone in the country :wink:

more helpful than anyone...
Have all the gear...

Burnsy

creative1 wrote:

Anyone forget about the Backyard Aquaponics Shop in Jandakot?
I know they have fish food :flower:

Sometimes for schools it is easier to get consumables locally, in this case 800m down the road. Convenience is high on most peoples agenda these days with the busy lives we lead, after all, does everyone run off to the BYAP shop when they need a PVC fitting just because they are sold there? Although we bought our tanks, GB's and pumps from BYAP, it was also important for us as a school to try and get local businesses and the school community involved. This helps promote the school through increasing local awareness.

I am always spruiking the BYAP products and info packs when asked about our system by community members and this includes to local businesses who hopefully pass on BYAP details to customers who come asking. As it turns out, with both Kelmscott Senior High and Westfield Primary having systems, AP will in the next few years hopefully become something that most people within our community know about and possibly adopt at home so I am sure BYAP will benefit in the end.

johnnie7au

I had a few minutes to look at the barramundi this week ...

Despite the very cautious approach regards feeding them (warranted) .. the barra are a nice size now.

I remember when they were little!

The fish were hungry enough to approach my (clean and dinfected) fingers with excited interest when splashing my fingers on the top of the pond and asking them to come to me.

They wanted food! A gave them some pellets .. and it was just like feeding trout!

They are in a very healthy condition.

Water felt nice and warm.

Growbeds ourside are really healthy and productive.

Thanks Tony!

johnnie7au

BTW...

I started the project off by asking for donations .... of any kind. And it kicked off! :cheers:

So if anyone has anything than can help the project ...

I will pass on any messages of opportunity to the Agriculture Faculty.

(Phone no or e-mail contact details will be good! I will pass them on.)

Many thanks

John

RupertofOZ

Growbeds outside... I thought they were inside, draining directly back to the tank... have they changed the system??

And if the growbeds are now outside... how are they keeping the water temp up....??? do they stop pumping through the beds at night?

johnnie7au

One outside
Two inside

Burnsy

johnnie7au wrote:

One outside
Two inside

John, any chance of getting some temp readings or water entering versus water exiting GB's both inside and outside? It would be a great chance to look at the effects of GB's on temp.

Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics