Well finished my first summer no Barra went in by the time my temps were getting up it was really too late in the season to grow them out. Plants were slow to grow at first with only ten silver perch fingerlings plus marron and yabbies all small. I found strawberries were the only really productive plant with low N in the water, worth considering as a first crop in a new AP system. As the summer warmed up and the perch started to feed well and fatten up so the food volume increased we started getting the green veg to work better. The Perch probably bout 200-250g each now though have really slowed the feeding with cold water at 15C.
The plan all along was for the trout to be the main crop, I get sufficient white flesh fish from fishing. So now ready to stock much heavier this April with trout fingerlings. The plan to harvest most and to try carry some on through summer at lower stocking density. Hottest we went this year was 26C for short duration's in some pretty extreme hot days. Next year I can shade the AP more and add a air blower on hot days to increase DO. Be interested to hear what people opinions are regarding the trout year round?
I also added a UV for water clarity after the water turned green early summer. Probably better of with out it as the Perch don't feed as well with clear water, but I like seeing whats going on Some pics as of today;
Disappointed the Barra not working out I still want to have a play with them started a SW AP build in my aquaculture shed. Its been playing on my mind now for a while how well it will work. I am going to grow some edible seaweeds and samphire for the grow beds. Using a bulka box for the tank and some old shallow glass aquariums for the grow beds. Here is a pic still water-less though have secured the barra while they are available they are in the aquariums for now in the background;