Gary's 4 Tank System

[GaryD]

Hi,

We finally finished our upgrade of our aquaponics systems.

My system now comprises:

• 2 x 950 litre fish tanks......50 Jade perch fingerlings (75 - 100mm) 45 Jade perch (nearly plate size).
• 2 x 1250 litre fish tanks - 45 Jade perch (nearly plate size) and 102 Murray cod (150mm).
• 4 x 235 litre grow beds
• 3 x 585 litre grow beds
• 1 x 585 litre duckweed tank

The entire layout is immediately outside of my back door so harvesting fish and vegetables is going to be particularly convenient.

Gary

[Murray]

I have to say....that is a very smart looking set of systems you have there Gary.

[aussieap]

Wow Gary, looks fantastic. Look fwd to seeing the growth.

[Tony]

Funny that Murray likes your set up Gary.! I wonder why. Someone who knows how to make good growbeds and tanks must have supplied them I reckon.
Great job though. Looks very sweet.
How many people do you intend to feed with a system of that size?
I have just purchased a 2.77m x 5.0m greenhouse that I can fit 4 x 500 litre grow beds with space left over. To keep 2 people fairly well fed all year in a typical range of fruit and veg, how many litres would you and Murray suggest I allow for in grow bed's? I am pre-planning now so I can make the necessary renovations to the back yard.
Cheers.
Tony

[GaryD]

Hi Tony,

How many people do you intend to feed with a system of that size?

I anticipate that our new set up will supply most of what Jan and I need in the way of salad vegetables, fresh herbs, Asian greens and silver beet.

With four tanks, we are also able to eat fish on a continuous weekly basis.

I have just purchased a 2.77m x 5.0m greenhouse that I can fit 4 x 500 litre grow beds with space left over. To keep 2 people fairly well fed all year in a typical range of fruit and veg, how many litres would you and Murray suggest I allow for in grow bed's?

Your greenhouse will come in handy.....particularly in Tasmania.

While your four grow beds will go a long way toward meeting your vegetable and herb needs, you would still be advised to set aside space for a soil-based growing system (or a square foot garden) for the large brassicas and root vegetables.

Aquaponics growing systems are generally better suited to the smaller, fast growing plants......and for vine crops like tomatoes and cucumbers.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

A photo opportunity with my Jade perch......they're rarely this cooperative.

The other two photos show plant growth after just 20 days.....and that's after they copped a dose of salt because I forgot that the water that I transferred from the tanks in my shed had been salted.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

Here's a photo of my duckweed tank. I harvested almost all of the duckweed last weekend and by today it had grown back to provide a complete cover.

The other photo shows a leaf guard arrangement that I'm trialling as a means of separating out the fish solids. It has a very fine stainless steel mesh strainer which is removable for easy cleaning. They are available from Bunnings for $19.95.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

For the latest update on my system.......here.

I've also added a page to my web site on the whole set up......here.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

For the latest on my system...here.

Gary

[Dufflight]

I want to build a square foot garden. I've got a 1200 x 2400 x 400ish wooden container left from a previous project.

Does having the depth deeper have any affect on the plants. I've also been looking at deep dug gardens for the dirt garden. This is where you go down 2 spades depth and add a lot of composted manure for the worms to keep the sup soil lose. And the same as SFG you never walk on the soil after its dug.