17 replies to this topic

[fisho]

has any1 started to set up there pond for cichlid soon
this has been my project for the last 5-6 months or so and still working on
it ^^

pond is a 3x2x1 with 3x4000 lph pumps with one connected to a 11 watt UV,running through 20kg of coral 5kg of ceramic tubes and lots of filter mats.
one pump feeds water to some garden beds which drain back in to the pond
(aquaponic) nitrate reduction system that produces veges.
for more info on aquaponics go to www.backyardaquaponics.com

heating is 100m of black tubing running on the shed roof and 2 jaguar heaters (one set on 20c and one on 26c). water temperater is 19c min
and averages around 22c

so far there is 25ish electric yellows 9 goldfish 3 acei a pleco and a couple
of bristlenoses(BN from shortie thnc) as clean up crew

got to carried away with trying to get the fish in the pond (fish have been in for 3 weeks) that i still have to finish the decking add a bamboo fence around the wall and make more garden beds(atleast 10-15 more of those blue tubs)

[warren]

is the pond under cover and does it have to be if your going to heat it

[jack]

nice ideas you got there hope everything works out

[fisho]

the pond is under a 70% UV shade cloth to reduce algae growth, other then that i have not needed to fully cover it

had quiet a bit of problems but has been fun building it

[nic]

HOLY #### thats heaps good

thanks nic

[nic]

update fisho?

[fisho]

hey nic

ive have not done much to my aquaponic setup since the last post :oops:
but if u r going to set one up then i would advice u to start reading there are heap of info out there. planing and setting one up may take a while but in the long run you get fresh vegetables and fruit with out the need of you watering
it ^^

it also reduces or even use up all your nitrates in your pond. my pond has got around another 50ish yellows, so thats around 100 cichlids and since my
beans has died(timer failed) my tomato's has sucked up all my nitrates with
a 0ppm reading.

if u need any help feel free to ask ^^

andrew

[nic]

any new pictures? where did u get the gravel and pots from for the plants. and do u have extra filtration?

[Goldfishguru]

were did u get ure liner from what shop

cheers

[fisho]

i got my lining from a pond shop in woodvale, i dont remember what it was called but its just off wanneroo road

HTH andrew

[Jeromy_Syndrome]

Where did you get the blue tubs from???

Cheers Jeromy

[johniep3e]

nice pond mate im gonna make a start on mine today

[beno]

have the yellows bred yet and if they do would u bother getting them out and striping them? or just let them spit naturally and hope for the best

[fisho]

hey beno
i also have a 4x2x2 in side with around 15 yellows.
when i see a yellow hold in the pond i would try to catch her, then stripe her, then place her in my 4x2x2 to increase the amount of females.

there is not enough hiding spots in the pond so all the fries would be eaten for sure.

HTH andrew

[fisho]

jeromy those blue tubs are fish tubs from bunnings for around $13 each

[alec]

so do you still do water changes on a aquaponics system considering the plants absorb all the nitrates

[johnnie7au]

Water changes would generally not be required if adequate growbeds, oxygenation and suitable plants were used (Tomatoes and lettuce love aquaponic systems. Top ups are required due to transpiration and evaporation. Hydrotron makes a great growbed media.

Lots of ideas here:-

http://www.backyarda...opic.php?t=1618

http://www.backyarda...opic.php?t=1617

http://www.backyarda...forum/album.php

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com

http://www.backyarda...forum/index.php

I hope that this helps.

I think it is a great way to keep a pond clean. Veggies such as zuchini grown in aquaponics could be used as a feed supplement for herbivore fish.

[fisho]

i have never done a water change since it so big, but i do not top with new water either. when ever i do a water change for my tanks the water goes straight into my pond

HTH