Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,

Last years efforts where not so fruitful, but want to give it another go at it.

Here is a thread with a couple pics
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9850

Looks like there are many more fish in the pond this year so I hope that will add to the poo production.

System Overview:

Pumping from the wifes fish pond that has several hundred Mosquito fish that are up to 2" long. Along with the fish there are several frogs, some of them make a pretty good splash when they hit the water.

Pump is on a timer where it pumps for 20 min every hour 24/7, the gb's fill up in about 5-10 min and the rest of the time they overflow back to the pond. Guess you would call it a flood and drain.

Last years veggie production was 3-4 cukes and a couple beans, but overall I would call it a learning experience not a success.

I am looking to make year 2 a better year, have some cukes and some beans I would like to plant and see what I could do.

Don't have any test kits so I cannot say where any of the levels are, but the fish are happy and the lilies that are in the pond are happy too.


Looking for suggestions before I plant again.

Thanks
John

Gday John , one suggestion (dont know how this will sit with your wife ) but if you lose the water lilies you will get better veg growth as the water platns will be getting first dibs at your nutes .

Al

Al,

Thought that would be a problem, but not a option, I would be the fish food if that happened.

Have an option to move it into a greenhouse, but with summer coming up it would get over 120f in there even with the doors and vents open.

John

Hi John,

Happen to come accross your entry.
I started with a pond with water lilies, and i kept them even though there was a suggestion to get read of water plants.
My pond is a more structued one in a small court yard, but the issues i faced may be of relevance to you.

Sejin

Ps where is Penryn? UK?

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My system:
- 5000L fish pond, 4 x 350L grow beds, 130 gold fish
- first system set up in Feb 2012, expansion in April

History to April 2, 2012:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11530&start=240#p322974

What were you feeding the fish? Keep in mind that AP basically boils down to "Fish feed in = plants out". If there's little feed in, you'll be getting no veg out..

_________________
www.backyardaquaponics.com
Bringing Food Production Home

Sejin Penryn is in California USA, there is a Penhryn in Wales, That is where we our founder came from


EB, Not feeding fish at all, the more I learn the less I think this is a good idea. Was looking for the easy way, but easy way may equal no veggies......

Going to rethink this.


Thanks for the replies

John