Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Backyard
Aquaponics
Welcome
W elcome to the very first edition
of the Backyard Aquaponics
Magazine. 2006 and 2007 have been
ideas can be so highly productive.
The forum has exceeded my wildest
expectations and become a friendly
big years for aquaponics, especially in thriving community that is helping to
Australia. The Backyard Aquaponics advance aquaponic knowledge, and
discussion forum was formed in March make it accessible to everyone.
2006, and in the first 18 months,
it’s grown to become the biggest But, back to the magazine. This
and best aquaponics forum in the magazine will become a further
world. With over 1000 members and extension of the discussion group, an
more joining every day, there’s new information source where ideas, plans
information and pictures being posted and information are laid out clearly for
daily. The excitement generated by everyone to understand.
the discussions and photographs
posted on the group is apparent by Where systems will be featured in detail,
the number of contributions, over fish species documented, and problems
90,000 posts in such a short time is discussed, it will be all things “aquaponic”.
astounding. Most states in Australia Like the discussion board, the magazine
have been having group get-togethers will rely heavily on input from many
for members to meet and discuss different people.
aquaponics first hand with each other.
Contents
Backyard Aquaponics Magazine
is a quarterly publication which aims
to promote the ideas of Aquaponics
and home food production coupled
with healthy and sustainable living.
Contributors
Joel Malcolm, David Downing,
What is Aquaponics
Jaymie Rains, Stuart Haberfield, Getting your feet wet ....................................... 4
Paul Ryan, Steve Cacchione
Magazine Enquiries
Up the Garden Path
magazine@backyardaquaponics.com We dispel some misconceptions about aquaponics
Editor: Joel Malcolm
www.backyardaquaponics.com
The Nitrogen Cycle . .......................................... 6
In the Garage
Advertising
We are currently looking for advertisers Road testing equipment
who wish to promote products and Ebara Best Zero pump.................................... 18
services related to aquaponics and home
food production. Contact: magazine@
backyardaquaponics.com for information.
In the Garden
Good plants for aquaponics............................. 20
20
By the Barbeque
After the harvest..............................................22
By the Pool
Contributions: The articles in Backyard Aquaponics
Magazine are submitted by members of the aquapon- Fish Species for aquaponics
ics community. The editor of Backyard Aquaponics
Magazine reserves the right to determine what is pub- Jade Perch........................................................ 24
24
lished and has the right to modify submitted material
where necessary.
What is Aquaponics?
By Joel Malcolm
A small healthy growbed with a large fish tank off to the side
A
quaponics is essentially the methods of producing fish and fish tank in the left of the picture, and a
combination of Aquaculture and vegetables, when we look at combining growbed filled with gravel raised above
Hydroponics. Both aquaculture the two, these negative aspects are the level of the fish tank in the centre of
and hydroponics have some down turned into positives. The positive aspects the picture.
sides, hydroponics requires expensive
nutrients to feed the plants, and also
requires periodic flushing of the systems
which can lead to waste disposal issues.
“research has shown that an aquaponic system uses
Re-circulating aquaculture needs to about 1/10th of the water used to grow vegetables
have excess nutrients removed from
the system, normally this means that in the ground.”
a percentage of the water is removed,
generally on a daily basis. This nutrient
rich water then needs to be disposed of of both aquaculture and hydroponics Water is pumped up from the fish tank
and replaced with clean fresh water. are retained and the negative aspects no into the gravel filled growbed. The water
longer exist. Aquaponics can be as simple trickles down through the gravel, past the
While re-circulating aquaculture and or as complex as you’d like to make it, the roots of the plants before draining back
hydroponics are both very efficient simple system pictured above has a large into the fish tank. The plants extract the
O
ne of the most important yet again, with Nitrobacter sp. This good (reproduce) in response to an increasing
least understood aspects of bacterium eats nitrite and converts it to ammonia load, so it makes sense that
Aquaponics is the bacteria nitrate. we would see a “spike” before they
that we rely on and its function in the respond. Shortly after you have ammonia
nitrogen cycle. Luckily nitrate happens to be the the bacteria will start reproducing and
favourite food of plants. Also the fish will working away for you.
I know what you’re thinking, bacteria (or tolerate a much higher level of nitrate
“GERMS” if you watch a lot of disinfectant than they will ammonia or nitrite. What The same goes for Nitrobacter sp.,
commercials) are meant to be bad, aren’t you’ve just read is pretty much the they’ll only want to start reproducing
they? nitrogen cycle. When an aquaponics and working once Nitrosomonas sp. is
system has sufficient numbers of these comfortable and producing lots of nitrite.
The fact is that there is good and bad in bacteria to completely process the
everything, even down to bacteria. Life ammonia and nitrites it is said to have Now for a few facts on them:
wouldn’t be possible without them. “cycled”.
They must colonize a surface (gravel,
Fish excrete ammonia. In a lake or ocean Your goal should be to establish the sand, synthetic biomedia, etc.) for
it’s all good because the vast volume of nitrogen cycle quickly and with minimal optimum growth.
water dilutes this ammonia. When you’re stress on any aquatic life you may already
keeping fish at home it needs to be have. They need oxygen in the water to live
managed as it is very toxic to the fish. and work.
in dry conditions or at
sustained temperatures K_\E`kif^\e:pZc\
higher than 49° C .
nX
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those species. Most of
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this information can be
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Nitrobacter sp. in general,
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however, each strain may
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have specific tolerances
GcX
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to environmental factors
and nutrient preferences _Xim\jk
not shared by other very
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seem to be common.
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optimum growth of
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nitrifying bacteria is
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between 25° – 30° C
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50% at 18° C (64° F).
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75% at 8° C – 15.5° C k e `k
i` k \ k f ^ ifn d f e X j j g% Y
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(46° – 50° F).
No activity will occur at 4° C Now, while one point you’ve just read
(39° F). pH indicates that Nitrosomonas sp. won’t
process ammonia at pH 6.0 or below, this
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 0° C The optimum pH range for was determined in a sterile lab culture.
(32° F). Nitrosomonas sp. is 7.8 - 8.0. Similar research has shown that species of
Nitrosomonas sp. in a natural environment
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 49° C The optimum pH range for Nitrobacter such as soil will still process ammonia
(120° F) sp. is 7.3 - 7.5 even at pH 4.0! This goes some way to
explain why some of us have systems
Nitrobacter sp. is less tolerant At pH below 7.0, Nitrosomonas sp. that are YEARS old with a pH of 6.0, no
of low temperatures than growth will slow and increases in ammonia and happy fish. Once a system
Nitrosomonas sp. In cold ammonia may become evident. has a compliment of micro flora and fauna
water systems, care must Nitrosomonas sp. growth is inhibited at work there seems to be an inherent
be taken to monitor the at pH 6.5. All nitrification is inhibited if synergy that allows wider environmental
accumulation of nitrites. the pH drops to 6.0 or less. ranges to be accommodated.
I would definitely recommend calcium carbonate powder (available when cycling a new system its best to
that people strive for the above at many produce stores) keep your water chemistry as stable as
environmental tolerance ranges on initial possible in relation to factors such as salt
system set up and the early life of their limestone concentration. The number of fish used
systems. to cycle your system should be much less
egg shells than your system is intended to hold.
Many people with aquaponics systems If too many fish are used the ammonia
try to maintain their pH at around 7.0 to As mentioned there are many strains and nitrite will reach very high levels,
7.2 because this range satisfies the plants, of nitrifying bacteria, each having their which are likely to kill or cause permanent
fish and bacteria. The nitrogen cycle itself own water parameter preferences, so damage to your fish and will require you to
has a tendency to reduce pH, however undertake more frequent and larger water
it is pretty easy to keep pH at around changes. Also, be sure not to overfeed the
7.4 through the addition of calcium fish as this will also result in the production
carbonate. Calcium carbonate increases Nitrosomonas sp. bacteria of more ammonia. Many people choose to
pH, but will stop dissolving at pH use cheap goldfish for the cycling process,
around 7.4, meaning pH will stay pretty
eat ammonia to grow due to the minimal cost and their high
stable until all of the available calcium and reproduce. tolerance to poor water conditions. The
carbonate is depleted. best advice you can take when cycling
your system is to be patient and let nature
Readily available forms of calcium take its course. Do frequent tests (at least
carbonate include: Nitrobacter sp. bacteria daily) during this period and perform
water changes as required.
shell grit (available at many produce
eat nitrite to grow
stores) and reproduce. Don’t forget, fish will still excrete
ammonia even when not eating, just not
sea shells as much!
I
n this edition of the Backyard Aquaponics Magazine In each edition, the details of at least one experiment will
readers are introduced to VB’s Backyard Lab, a regular be discussed, with a focus on the relevance of results to the
feature In The Shed. running of a full scale Aquaponics systems.
The central tool in VB’s Backyard Lab is a set of five independent The first experiment has been planned and will soon
micro Aquaponics systems. These will be used to complete commence. This will feature in the next edition.
various experiments. Each system comprises the following
identical elements: Readers are invited to contribute ideas for experiments that they
would like to see in future editions of the Backyard Aquaponics
a 50 litre glass aquarium Magazine by e-mailing VB at paul@backyardaquaponics.com,
using the subject line ‘Experiment Idea’.
a 600 litre per hour (at zero head) pond pump
a 20 litre grow-bed
plants
The Start of an
Obsession
By Joel Malcolm
D
windling native fish stocks, to grips with these issues, many people the world is aquaponics, the combination
unsustainable farming practices are beginning to think outside the square of aquaculture and hydroponics.
and severe water shortages are when it comes to food production. One
bringing about a change in many primary more recent method of food production Conventional intensive recirculating
production areas. As we all try and come that’s catching on in many areas around aquaculture can be very efficient at
producing large quantities of fish, though individual methods. Before we get into plus the nitrates can be consumed by
this method of aquaculture also requires too much detail I guess that I should plants, and used for growth.
large amounts of water to be changed explain the basics of aquaponics.
out of the system on a regular basis. In So, the fish give off ammonia which
a standard recirculating aquaculture There are three essential components can be nasty at high levels, the bacteria
system (RAS) generally 5-10% of the to an aquaponic system, fish, bacteria converts the ammonia into nitrites and
water is changed out of the system and plants. As part of a fish’s normal then nitrates, then the plants consume
every day and replaced with fresh water. breathing, they give off ammonia the nitrates from the water. The water is
This discharged water is nutrient rich, then returned to the fish tank cleaned of
and unless it’s managed carefully then excess nutrients and freshly oxygenated.
it can cause some major problems in
waterways, especially waterways already In fact it not only cancels It may sound a little complex to begin
suffering from depleted flows and other with, but in reality it’s a very simple
nutrient-rich run off. out the negative aspect natural process that happens all around
us in nature. The bacteria are naturally
For vegetable production, hydroponics
of each method, but the found everywhere, in streams, lakes,
is the most water efficient method of symbiotic relationships ponds, dams, and aquariums; they
production available today, however, are found in the air, and will populate
once again there’s effluent that needs formed in an aquaponic anywhere there is water and biological
to be treated and/or disposed of. As the activity, like organic matter breaking
plants in a hydroponic system grow they system create very down in water giving off ammonia.
use water in tissue production and in
transpiration, the nutrient solution builds complex ecosystems Aquaponics today can take on many
up dissolved salts over time that will forms. Some commercial operations within
that actually increase
become toxic to the plants. Hydroponic Australia don’t recirculate their water,
systems need to have the old solution the level of production it’s used in their fish culture once, then
flushed from the system, and new water pumped though a hydroponic system,
and solution added on a regular basis. when compared with the before going out to waste. Personally I
prefer recirculating systems, because of
A commercial hydroponic grower that individual methods. their miserly water usage, and that’s the
I visited recently in Western Australia method I’m talking about here today.
was using scheme water for his systems,
and he was consuming $12,000 worth of Systems can also be designed to use
water a year. This was only a small scale through their gills, also any fish wastes a variety of different methods in the
producer who did all of the work himself or uneaten food that breaks down in a hydroponic component, for removal of
with one part time employee. fish tank gives off ammonia as part of nutrient. NFT (nutrient film technique),
the process. This ammonia will quickly floating raft and gravel beds are all
So how can these problems be build up in the water and fish are very commonly used in aquaponic systems.
addressed? Here are two reasonably susceptible to high levels of ammonia Personally I prefer systems incorporating
efficient methods of food production, in their water. This is where the bacteria gravel beds for plant culture because the
but they still have some rather significant comes into the equation. There are gravel beds act as a solids filter, a biofilter
downfalls. The answer, Aquaponics. two main types of bacteria that carry for bacteria growth, and a medium for
out the essential work, Nitrosomonas the plants to grow roots into. Gravel beds
Aquaponics combines aquaculture and sp. and Nitrobacter sp. Nitrosomonas provide the simplest system possible
hydroponics, helping to cancel out the sp. bacteria digests the ammonia and when it comes to designing, building
negative aspects of each. In fact it not converts it into nitrites. The fish are less and operating an aquaponics system.
only cancels out the negative aspect susceptible to high levels of nitrites in NFT and floating raft systems are very
of each method, but the symbiotic the water, however most plants can’t productive but require separate biofilters
relationships formed in an aquaponic absorb nitrites. The Nitrobacter sp. and solids removal that must be built into
system create very complex ecosystems bacteria then converts the nitrites into the design, so this tends to make a system
that actually increase the level of nitrates. The fish are happy with quite a little more complex, and requiring
production when compared with the high levels of nitrates in their water, further maintenance.
The water then slowly drains from the and growbeds could be sourced from Aquaponic systems tend to go acidic over
growbeds into a sump tank from where plastics manufacturers. Plastic tanks time because of the biological activity in
it’s then pumped back into the fish tank. would last longer and they are stronger the system, so you can either add garden
The system can be simplified even further and more durable than the steel, but at lime, or seashells. I prefer to add seashells
if the fish tank is buried in the ground the time I was building this system steel because they are self regulating. When
allowing the growbeds to drain straight was by far the cheapest method, and it the pH is low the acidic water dissolves
back into the fish tank. has a certain rustic appeal that I liked. the seashells raising the pH back towards
neutral. When the water is neutral the
This system fits into an area about the This large flood and drain system has shells won’t dissolve. It’s a fantastic
size of a carport 4m x 8m, and that’s been running for almost 3 years now. way to regulate pH while also adding
without even trying. The round tank and I’ve found it to be very stable and robust micronutrients and elements that have
growbeds make it awkward to fit into a requiring little to no maintenance. All that been trapped inside the seashells during
rectangular area. If you wanted to use has to be done is feed the fish, top up the their formation in the ocean.
rectangular grow beds the system would water every few days, plant seedlings,
fit into a much smaller area. All of the and harvest the fish and vegetables. The In the past I had added regular
components used to build this system are only other things added to this system applications of seaweed extract to the
standard off the shelf items bought from are chelated iron, about 2 spoons every system, but I have found this to not
a hardware store and plumbing store, 6-8 weeks, or whenever signs of iron be as necessary lately as most other
except the fish tank and the growbeds deficiency are showing in the plants. I nutrients required by the plants come
which are easily manufactured by a also add seashells to my drain tank to from the fish feed, so long as you are
rainwater tank supplier. Similar size tanks help buffer the pH. using a quality feed. Seaweed extract
On the feed side of things, this is an exclusive diet of these pellets and other
area that more effort is being put into All of the vegetable scraps green feed.
recently. Fish feed can be supplemented
in a number of ways. Black soldier fly produced in the system are Many native fish in Australia are suitable
larvae have been found to be very easy for growing in an aquaponics system.
to raise on food scraps, and they are self fed to the worms, then the Carnivorous fish such as Barramundi or
harvesting when a little thought is put Murray Cod are great, but they can only
worms are fed to the fish.
into designing their culture container. be fed a diet of pellets, worms, bugs
Worms can be fed on the vegetable etc. Omnivorous fish can be fed a mixed
scraps from the growbed, and although with different recipes for home made diet, and the main species cultivated in
they are a little more difficult to harvest pellet feed. Australia are Silver Perch and Jade Perch.
they’re a very nutritious feed for fish.
Even bug zappers placed over fish tanks One such simple recipe developed by an At the moment I’m working on designing
can provide a fairly small, constant American aquaponics pioneer contains 1 systems that can close the loop and
source of self harvesting insects during part whole wheat, 1 part sprouted wheat, do away with pelletized feeds. The
the evening. In recent studies, lupins whole eggs (including shell) and sea system pictured above is constructed
have been found to contain an almost salt for minerals. Munched up through a predominantly from recycled materials.
complete diet for many species of fish, mincer and extruded onto trays before The fish tank is buried in the far corner
and many people are experimenting being dried, he feeds his fish on an and consists of a 1000L second hand IBC.
Burying the fish tank allows for the use of worms are fed to the fish. The whole polluting, have zero waste, zero runoff,
only one pump, with all water returning system runs on one 70W pond pump and require only top up water because
to it under gravity. Water is pumped that I’m hoping to convert over to a solar of evaporation and transpiration.
out of the fish tank and then off in two supply when I can find some panels Aquaponics can be scaled from a tiny
directions, one flow goes to the gravel at the right price. This system is self desktop system in an aquarium to a
growbeds on the right hand side, the contained in an area of 15m2 and I’m medium sized backyard system, right
other flow goes to the top half barrels on expecting that when it gets up to full up to large commercial systems that
the left.The left hand side consists of two 17 production it’s going to produce a produce tons of fish and vegetables
tiers of second hand barrels cut in half. fair amount of food from a very small every month.
These barrels are for growing yabbies to area, and soon it will be running with
eat, as well as growing duckweed and no external inputs. Aquaponics is set In Australia we are already showing signs
Azolla sp. on the surface of the water to to be a growing system that we will of becoming a major developer and
feed to the silver perch growing in the hear a lot more of in the future. With innovator in aquaponics, even though
fish tank. serious water shortages effecting most it’s still a relatively new field in Australia.
of Australia, and nutrient run off and As more people are hearing about
Underneath both sides of the system pollution becoming major issues, we aquaponics, it’s not only being adopted
are half barrels for worm culture. All of can’t afford not to look at alternative by commercial growers, but it’s becoming
the vegetable scraps produced in the growing methods like aquaponics. After a very popular production method for
system are fed to the worms, then the all, what other growing methods are non smaller backyard producers as well.
E
bara are an Italian pump company
that make a wide range of pumps
and the ‘optima’ is the smallest pump
that they produce in their range.
By Jaymie Rains
A
quaponics allows you to grow
many of your household’s
favourite vegetables in a
controlled organic environment. In the
many Backyard Aquaponic systems, not
many vegetables have been found to be
unsuitable.
Habanero chills..
A healthy crop of silverbeet, broccoli, celery and tomato plants growing well
A
lthough some of us may have fantasised about Email your submissions
harvesting and eating fish grown in the backyard, to magazine@
before coming across Aquaponics common sense backyardaquaponics.
suggested this was impractical if not impossible to accomplish. com with the subject line
It is normal to have some residual doubts about Aquaponics ‘Recipe Submission’.
until you have harvested your first fish and/or plants. It just
seems too good to be true. Early on, this feeling can be To tempt and tantalise
heightened if you experience issues with fish health, which tastebuds and preview
is one reason why a two-part series focussing on fish health what readers can expect
is included in this and the next edition of the Backyard from their own Aquaponics
Aquaponics Magazine. systems, a selection
of pictures have been
To celebrate the fantastically yummy outputs of Aquaponics, compiled for this edition,
in each edition of the magazine, this section will include featuring fish harvested
fabulous recipes using Aquaponics system produce, as well as from Backyard Aquaponics
handy cooking hints and tips. Although fish and crustaceans Forum member systems. Jade Perch for dinner. Photo P. Ryan
will inevitably feature heavily, vegetarian readers will not
be forgotten. Readers are invited to submit their favourite
Aquaponics produce recipes for publication, along with a
picture of the final product, if possible.
Silver Perch on the barbeque. Photo J. Malcolm Barramundi for lunch. Photo S. Haberfield
Jade Perch?
By Jaymie Rains
J
ade Perch (Scortum barcoo), 13ma y02.html). What more could dorsal area and the general “football”
Barcoo Grunter or Striped Perch you want? shape of the body.
is one of the favourite species
of fish used in Australian backyard Jade Perch is a heavily built fish with Jade Perch is a freshwater finfish native
aquaponics systems. They are a fast a small head, generally uniformly to the low gradient rivers and creeks
growing, hardy fish that tastes great, brownish-black with darker “birthmarks”. of the Lake Eyre catchment. These
with extraordinarily high omega-3 The fins are usually darker in colour than waters are generally highly turbid
levels making it one of the healthiest the body. The fish shown in this article and have a wide temperature and
fish available (CSIRO http://www. have some of the characteristic “birth- conductivity or salinity range. In their
marine.csiro.au/media/02releases/ marks”, the jade colouring along the natural habitat, Jade Perch spawn
grasshoppers, beetles, bugs, snails, algae, Jade Perch has the highest Omega-3 Temperature (optimum) 22˚C – 28˚C
duckweed, leafy vegetables and beans; oil content compared with over 200 (71˚F – 82˚F)
all readily available from many Backyard seafoods tested by CSIRO. Scientific
Aquaponic systems. Most hatcheries will research has proven that Omega-3 can Temperature (tolerate) 13˚C – 32˚C
train fingerlings to accept artificial diets, help strengthen and protect cells in (55˚F – 90˚F)
usually as pellets, with the pellet size the body, especially cells in your heart,
varying with the size of the fish. The food brain and joints. Aeration and water exchanges
conversion ratios (FCR) vary depending need to be increased with higher
upon the level of management with 1.2:1 Jade Perch has up to 100 times more temperatures.
for fingerlings to 1.6:1 for growout being Omega-3 oil than chicken, beef or
achievable. This means for every 1.2 kilo- lamb. Growth is negligible below 20˚C
grams of food the fish consume, they will (68˚F).
gain one kilogram. Care should be taken Jade Perch contain lower levels of
when feeding, as Jade Perch are vora- cholesterol. Feeding should cease below 16˚C
cious feeders and overfeeding can occur, (60˚F)
leading to ammonia spikes in the system. Jade Perch has clean white flesh and
a delicate flavour with a melt-in-your Salt at 5ppt is acceptable for long
Table-sized fish of 350 to 800gms can mouth texture. term exposure and for treatment of
be grown in 8 to 15 months in outdoor ectoparasite and fungal diseases (e.g.
ponds and tanks. The advantages of Jade Perch environmental preferences Ichthyophthirius multifilis)
growing Jade Perch in your Backyard (from http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/
Aquaponics system: fishweb/14076.html) Dissolved Oxygen 4mg/L or greater.
A
ll sorts of people are attracted that might be experienced along the way. to know what they are for the ones you
to Aquaponics. Some have Aspects important to fish health that are are growing.
previous experience in keeping covered by this series are:
fish, mainly ornamental aquarium fish, Sudden changes in water temperature
but most have little or no experience Temperature can also have an adverse affect on fish
in this area. Although it is not difficult health. When doing system top-ups or
to manage the fish-keeping side of pH other water additions, it is important to
Aquaponics, a lack of knowledge of make sure that the temperature of the
fundamental principals and practices Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate water being added to the system is very
is likely to result in major fish losses similar to that of the existing water or
and a delay in reaping the fantastic Dissolved Oxygen that the water is added very gradually to
rewards provided by a well functioning allow the fish to adjust to the change in
Aquaponics System. Water Contamination temperature.
The purpose of this two-part article is to Disease Temperature When introducing newly purchased fish
help current and prospective Aquaponics to your tank, it is important that you
system owners establish a balanced Each species of fish has a temperature acclimatise them to the existing tank
healthy environment for their fish friends, range within which they can live healthy temperature. One common method
by outlining key fish keeping principals lives and a more narrow range within of doing this is to float the bag, within
and practices. The information provided which they will thrive. The ranges vary which they are contained, in the fish
will also help in diagnosing problems from species to species, so it is important tank for at least 30 minutes before
release. For more detailed information Housing the plants in a suitable ammonia and nitrite are not at levels that
on acclimatising your new fish, see I structure to provide some shade in can adversely affect the health of the fish.
Got a Bag of Fish. Now What? (http:// summer and heat retention in winter; Fish will continue to respire and produce
backyardaquaponics.com/forum/ and, most importantly ammonia throughout the night; and
viewtopic .php?t=1740 ).
Growing fish that are suited to your There are means to ensure that the
Do not discount the importance of climate. pumps are switched on again in the
temperature as a long term factor morning, for example a reliable automatic
in running a successful Aquaponics During winter, at night some people also timer switch. Water temperature also
system. When setting up your system choose to turn off the pumps that supply has an effect on the dissolved oxygen
and choosing the type of fish that water to growbeds in order to minimise content. This is discussed further later. It is
you will grow, it is essential that you heat loss. This is a valid practice but it is important to also realise that temperature
consider the extremes of winter and important that this is not done unless: will affect the efficiency of bacteria in
summer and have suitable means of the nitrogen cycle – see the Nitrogen
maintaining water temperature within Aeration of fish tanks continues Cycle article earlier in this issue for more
the desired range during these periods. throughout the night by means of an air information on this.
Using large amounts of non-renewable pump or some other method;
energy to heat or cool your water will pH
incur both financial and environment Grow-beds are able to drain of water,
costs. Strategies to address this issue can thereby ensuring that plant roots have Like temperature, suitable pH range
include: oxygen available to them while the varies with different fish species. A pH
pumps are not running; level that is outside of the preferred
Insulating and covering tanks to range will have a negative affect on fish
stabilise temperature, retaining heat in If the grow-beds are the only means health. Damage to the fish’s slime coat
winter and coolness in summer; of bio-filtration, that during the night will make them more prone to disease.
Respiratory issues may also result due to
the pH affecting gill function.
can seriously affect fish health; concentration of ammonia or nitrite can measurement that represents the total
result in death or permanent damage ammonia nitrogen (TAN), which consists
Carbon dioxide is acidic when dissolved to fish. Although less toxic, at higher of both ionised and un-ionised ammonia.
in water. Fish produce carbon dioxide concentrations nitrate will also still harm Provided that TAN, pH and temperature
day and night. Although algae and other fish over the long term. are known, the amount of un-ionised
plants in the fish tank will produce oxygen ammonia can be easily calculated using
while photosynthesising during the day, tables that are readily available on the
at night they produce carbon dioxide. This Internet.
is one reason why pH tends to be lower in “Short-term exposure to
the morning than at night in a system that As a general rule the level of un-ionised
is not adequately buffered;
even a small concentration ammonia should be kept below 0.02
of ammonia or nitrite parts per million (ppm). Table 1 shows
During nitrification, ammonia and an approximation of the maximum
oxygen are converted to nitrite, hydrogen can result in death or TAN that is safe for fish at various ph
and water. Because hydrogen is acidic, and temperature levels. Regardless of
nitrification pushes pH down; and permanent damage to this, when using commonly available
test kits, an ammonia reading of 0ppm
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can be fish.” “Water temperature total ammonia should be the aim for
used to buffer the system against pH a balanced Aquaponics system. This is
also has an effect on the
swings. CaCO3 increases pH, but will stop achieved due to the efficient processing
dissolving at pH around 7.4, meaning dissolved oxygen content.“ of ammonia by the beneficial bacteria
pH will stay pretty stable until all of the housed within the system.
available calcium carbonate is depleted.
Readily available forms of calcium Nitrite
carbonate include:
Ammonia At rates as low as 0.5ppm, nitrite can
shell grit (available at many be harmful to your fish. Nitrite affects
produce stores) Within an Aquaponics system, a large the ability of the fish’s gills to efficiently
quantity of ammonia is produced. There transfer oxygen to bloodstream. This
sea shells are two primary sources of ammonia. issue becomes more significant at lower
Firstly, fish excrete ammonia, the bulk of oxygen saturation levels, for example
calcium carbonate powder which enters the water from their gills. when the temperature of the water is
(available at many produce Secondly, ammonia is produced through high.
stores) biological conversion of dissolved
organic matter such as uneaten fish food It has been shown that the addition of
limestone particles, fish poo and dead plant matter chloride will reduce the absorption of
within the grow-beds (eg. old roots). nitrite across a fish’s gills and therefore
egg shells. assist in reducing the toxicity of nitrite.
It is important to realise that ammonia Salt (sodium chloride) added at a rate of
Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate exists in two forms, ionised and un- 17ppm (17 grams per 1000 litres) for each
ionised. As temperature and pH ppm of nitrite will reduce the effect of
Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all increase, so does the % of total ammonia nitrite. Some people keep 1 gram per litre
forms of nitrogen that exist within any that exists in the un-ionised form. It of salt in their systems on a permanent
Aquaponics system. As is detailed in the is un-ionised ammonia that is most basis for therapeutic purposes, as a stress
article ‘The Nitrogen Cycle’, also featured toxic to fish because of its ability to be reliever and aid to disease recovery. Of
in this edition (page 4), beneficial absorbed by the fish across their gills. course this level is more than enough
bacteria within an Aquaponics system Ionised ammonia is only harmful in high to also complete the function of nitrite
convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to concentrations and is not likely to be an toxicity reduction.
nitrate. Nitrate is then utilised by plants issue in an Aquaponics system.
grown in the system. As salt will not entirely eliminate the
Most common test kits do not test for harmful effects of nitrite and at higher
Short-term exposure to even a small each form of ammonia, but rather give a concentrations can also affect the health
pH
Temp
(°C)
6.0 6.4 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.2 8.4
32 22 8.7 3.5 2.2 1.4 0.89 0.57 0.37 0.24 0.16 0.1
Western Australia had a meet at Joel Malcolm’s marvellous backyard to see THE Backyard Aquaponics System.
November 2006. Photo J. Malcolm
As aquaponics grows we hope there will be more of these fun and informative
gatherings, sharing the enthusiasm and knowledge of aquaponics with more people.
Over the Easter weekend, keen Backyard Aquaponicists journeyed from many and varied places
around Queensland, converging at Aquamad’s home in Cairns.
April 2007, Photo J. Rains
Need further information about aquaponics? Would you like to look at building your own
system, or would you rather have a system installed for you?
Throughout 2008 we will be running a series of short courses on aquaponics in conjunction with
Faye Arcaro from Aquaponica. Register your interest now by contacting Faye or myself.
If you’re interested in any further information about aquaponics, or any products mentioned above,
please contact us now or drop by the shop for a look around.
You can install the system yourself if you feel confident in your The Backyard Aquaponics shop and display centre is now open
skills, or you can incorporate our complete delivery and in Jandakot on the corner of Berrigan drive and Jandakot Rd.
installation service. Installation provides you with the peace of Please feel free to come down and have a look at how
mind that your aquaponic system will be working first time aquaponics works, and to see some of the systems available.
without any effort required by yourself.
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an in-depth look at another fish species suitable for use in
aquaponics systems. One of the new items to look forward
s u e
s
to in the next issue, is a question and answer section where
we will take some of the most commonly asked questions
I UT
O W
about aquaponics and provide you wi th straightforward
answers from experienced aquaponic system operators.