The No.

1 Aquaponics magazine Issue 3

for the backyard enthusiast. Third Quarter 2008

Bringing Food Production Home

Backyard
Aquaponics
Keeping Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Ladybirds the good, the bad or the ugly?

The road to Aquaponics A personal account

 Introduction

Welcome...
W elcome to the third edition
of the Backyard Aquaponics
Magazine. Interest in aquaponics
website www.thegardengurus.tv .
Neville was so impressed with the
concept of aquaponics that he
incorporated into the magazine over
the next few issues and if you have
any suggestions or comments then
continues to increase and since wanted his garden pond converted please feel free to contact us.
the last edition there have been into an aquaponics system, and his
numerous mentions of aquaponics new aquaponic system has created a Joel Malcolm, Editor
in the media. Here in Australia the lot of interest.
Garden Gurus came down to the
Backyard Aquaponics shop and filmed We recently employed the services
a segment all about aquaponics. The of a professional magazine designer.
segment created an enormous amount This has improved the look and
of interest with many people visiting layout of the magazine immensely,
their website and downloading and is helping to create a far more
the fact sheet on aquaponics. The enjoyable reading experience within
segment featuring Neville Passmore the magazine. We look forward to the
can be viewed on the Garden Gurus ongoing improvements that will be

Conversion table
Metric length imperial USA volume metric
1 millimetre [mm] 0.03937 in fluid ounce 1.0408 UK fl oz 29.574 ml
1 centimetre [cm] 10 mm 0.3937 in 1 pint (16 fl oz) 0.8327 UK pt 0.4731 l
1 metre [m] 100 cm 1.0936 yd 1 gallon 0.8327 UK gal 3.7854 l
1 kilometre [km] 1000 m 0.6214 mile
Metric Mass imperial
Imperial length metric 1 milligram [mg] 0.0154 grain
1 inch [in] 2.54 cm 1 gram [g] 1,000 mg 0.0353 oz
1 foot [ft] 12 in 0.3048 m 1 kilogram [kg] 1,000 g 2.2046 lb
1 yard [yd] 3 ft 0.9144 m 1 tonne [t] 1,000 kg 0.9842 ton


Imperial Mass metric
Metric volume imperial
ounce [oz] 437.5 grain 28.35 g
1 cu cm [cm 3] 0.0610 in 3
1 pound [lb] 16 oz 0.4536 kg
1 cu decimetre [dm 3] 1,000 cm 3 0.0353 ft 3
1 stone 14 lb 6.3503 kg
1 cu metre [m ] 1,000 dm 3 1.3080 yd 3
1 hundredweight [cwt] 112 lb 50.802 kg
1 litre [l] 1 dm 3 1.76 pt
1 long ton (UK) 20 cwt 1.016 t
1 hectolitre [hl] 100 l 21.997 gal
Temperature Celcius Fahrenheit
Imperial volume metric 0 C 32 F
1 cu inch [in3 ] 16.387 cm 3 5 C 41 F
1 cu foot [ft3 ] 1,728 in 3 0.0283 m 3 10 C 50 F
1 fluid ounce [fl oz] 28.413 ml 15 C 59 F
1 pint [pt] 20 fl oz 0.5683 l 20 C 68 F
1 gallon [gal] 8 pt 4.5461 l 25 C 77 F

2 Issue 3 2008
 Backyard Aquaponics
Issue 3 Third quarter 2008

Backyard Aquaponics Magazine

Contents
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, Faye Arcaro, Carl Schmidt,
Friend or Foe
Max Antuar, John Burgess
Ironing out the bugs...................................... 04
Magazine Enquiries
magazine@backyardaquaponics.com
Editor: Joel Malcolm
www.backyardaquaponics.com
Our Favourite Tanks
Featured Aquaponic Systems

04
Who are We?
Backyard Aquaponics Magazine is produced Fayes turnkey system ................................... 06
in-house at Backyard Aquaponics.
PO Box 3350
Success, WA 6964
Ph: (08) 9414 9334
www.backyardaquaponics.com Our favourite stories
Proofed and edited by: The road to Aquaponics
Adrian Doesburg
Member of the Society of Editors
BRAVO COMMUNICATIONS
A personal account by Carl Schmidt.......... 10
Editors - Copywriters - Proofreaders
08 9498 1555 www.bravocomms.com

By the Barbeque
10
Design & Lay-out
David Kyslinger - Moonshine Graphics
Aquaponically Inspired Recipes
Aquaponic Omelette A complete meal.......13
Advertising
We are currently looking for advertisers who
wish to promote products and services related
to aquaponics and home food production.
Contact: magazine@backyardaquaponics.
On the Deckchairs
com for information.
Questions and Answers....................................15
NEW
MUST
Contributions: The articles in Backyard Aquaponics READ
Fish Anatomy . .............................................. 24
Magazine are submitted by members of the aquapon-
ics community. The editor of Backyard Aquaponics
Magazine reserves the right to determine what is pub-
lished and has the right to modify submitted material
where necessary.
In the Garage
17
Content Disclaimer: Backyard Aquaponics Magazine
is published under the explicit understanding that
content contained in the magazine is based on the This issues Road Test
knowledge and understanding of the contributors at
the time of writing. Any statements, advice or opinions
expressed herein are made for the benefit of the read- Trial by Media . .................................................17
er only. Therefore Backyard Aquaponics Magazine, or
its contributors, will not accept responsibility for any
damage or loss which has occurred or may occur as a
result of a persons action (or inaction) related to said
statements or advice. Backyard Aquaponics Magazine
accepts no responsibility for the reliability or accuracy By the Pool
of articles or advertising. Backyard Aquaponics Maga-
zine does not necessarily agree with or accept the
Fish Species for Aquaponics
21
views expressed or implied by the contributors.

Copyright 2008 Backyard Aquaponics. Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss........21

All rights reserved, no part of this publication may
be reproduced in any manner or form without writ-
ten permission.

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 3

 Friend or Foe

Ironing out the

The good, the Bad
or the Ugly?
By Faye Arcaro

M
any of the 4000 species during the larval stage many consume
of ladybug, lady beetle or up to 400 aphids in its short life. Food
ladybird are beneficial to supplies for ladybirds include mites and if
our systems, devouring aphids are scarce they will also eat small
many of our insect pests which seek to insects and eggs of moths or beetles. Eyed Ladybird
destroy our crops. They are classified as Their size can range from one to ten
a beetle and belong to the class insecta. millimetres depending on the species. skeletonise the leaves causing them to
They have 3 body parts consisting These bugs may be purchased and used wither and die. The host plants that leaf
of thorax, abdomen and head. Their as a biological control for infestations eating lady birds eat include plants such
antennae are clubbed and they have across the world and are often freed as deadly nightshade as well as other
6 legs. Ladybirds are orange to red in in glasshouses as a natural method of solanum species like tomatoes, potatoes,
colour and this indicates that they do not integrated pest management (IPM). and cucurbits (rock melon, cucumber,
taste very nice and may be poisonous, marrow, pumpkins and zucchini). The
deterring many predators. Being a There are ladybirds which eat plant control method for this type of pest in a
winged insect they have the ability matter and these are the leaf eating home garden or aquaponic situation is
to fly away if they feel threatened or ladybirds, easily recognisable by their to hand pick and squash both adult and
they may just retract and close down, 26-28 spots on a yellow/ orange mustard larva. Destroy infested crop as soon as
tucking in their wings and feet. An adult coloured background. These pests are not possible after harvesting fruit to minimize
ladybird can eat 50 aphids per day and welcome in an aquaponic system as they spread.

Ladybird face Ladybirds mating Laying eggs

4 Issue 3 2008
 Friend or Foe

Life cycle Ladybirds overwinter by finding shelter

in the cool months beneath leaf litter or
Adult ladybirds become sexually mature under rocks and the protection of bark.
within several days of hatching and choose Spring adults appear in search of food
a mate, which they visually recognize as and suitable egg laying sites.
their own species type by having the same
number of spots. The male will mount Ladybirds can live from a few months
the female and fertilise her eggs. She will to over a year depending on climatic
then lay between 10 and 50 oval shaped conditions. The life cycle can be
eggs which are cream, yellow or orange. completed in 3 to 4 weeks in warmer
Aphids a Ladybirds favourite meal
She secures them standing upright onto weather and can take up to 6 weeks in
the underside of a leaf where they are the cooler months.
protected. Within 3-5 days the eggs hatch
and the larvae emerge, appearing spiky Attracting beneficial insects
they look nasty and therefore are left
alone by predators. The name given to the Plants with an inflorescence known as
hatchlings are larva for a single insect and an umbel which include angelica, dill,
larvae when there are many. The skin of dandelion, wild carrot and yarrow attract
the larva does not grow and will moult 4 beneficial insects such as ladybirds, bees
times before they pupate, each of the four and wasps. Many people also practice
stages is called an instar. The pupal stage leaving some pest species on their
will last between 3 and 12 days before the property, this allows more permanent
ladybird emerges as an adult. populations of ladybird to be present, Shedding
so that if pest populations ever start to
increase theres a permanent population
of ladybird that can quickly increase
their population to deal with the pest
species.

Suppliers of Biological Control

Products
www.goodbugs.org.au
www.greenmethods.com

Photography by Faye Arcaro

Deadly nightshade showing signs of skeletisation Spots and colour intensify over time

Eggs on a leaf Ladybird Larva New Ladybird

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 5

 Our favourite tanks

Fayes
turnkey
system

8 Weeks of impressive growth

By Faye Arcaro

W
hen we decided that widow makers.) We had a revelation at to grow well and I wanted to be able to
we wanted to house an that point, the gum tree could go and harvest even when it was pouring with
aquaponics system a that would leave us with a maximum area rain, I also wanted to be able to garden
great deal of thought of 5 X 7.5 metres so we went shopping all year round so we chose clear laser
went into the decision making process.
For example, we had to consider the
best location so that we didnt have to I walk out the door on my way to work and throw a
walk a long way to pick our herbs and handful or two of food at the fish in the morning and
vegetables at the end of the day. A few
ideas that came to mind were that it about the same when I come home at night
should be close to the kitchen or back
door, as well as accessible to our outdoor
entertaining area, bbq and future pizza and found a patio kit measuring 4.5 X light roofing. We didnt want to block out
oven (Eddys new project). 7.5m, just perfect. Things started to fall the light and if it got too hot in summer
into place. we could always cover it with shade
While sitting at our kitchen table one day cloth. A hard cover would allow us to
the twenty metre gum tree dropped a We had to keep in mind that we need collect rainwater in the winter, minimize
massive branch (thats why they call them maximum sunlight in order for the plants evaporation and provide protection from

6 Issue 3 2008
 Our favourite tanks

frost and birds as well as keeping

the gum leaves out.

The size of the system was

determined by the size of our Fish Tank

family and as there are five of us

we decided that a five bed system
would perhaps be an appropriate
size. The layout of the system
would allow an area for students
to gather around the fish tank and
amongst the grow beds, while
listening to an introduction about
the system and how it works. This
has been well utilized over the
last 18 months as many groups
have come and inspected our Fingerling/Drain Tank

aquaponic system.

Operation

Our system has its irrigation split

in two directions one way to the
three grow beds and the other
way to the two grow beds. It takes
roughly the same amount of time
to flood all the beds and when
draining each spilt has its own
drain tank. The beds are placed
around the outer edge of the patio
allowing more access and space in
the centre.

A timer controls the operation of

irrigation to the grow beds which
is set on an hourly flood and
drain cycle, during which time the
beds completely drain. Water is
pumped from the main fish tank
which at present is home to about
one hundred rainbow trout with
Overview and layout of Fayes system.
loads of personality. Every time I blu Irrigation to grow beds
walk near they think it is feed time, green Growbeds drain to fish tank
I try not to disappoint them. The At the beginning of a season we get red Return line drain tank to fish tank
great thing about trout is they fingerlings and having an extra drain Pumps
have a feed conversion ratio of 1-1 tank allows me to keep them separate
which means that for every kilo of from the main tank while we are still pump kicks in and returns water to the main tank,
food they eat we get a return of harvesting the larger fish. We have a this is indicated on the diagram as the return line.
1kg of fish. The fingerling tank is pump in each drain tank which has a
stocked with a few hides allowing float switch attached to it. When the A battery backup pump with air stones ensures
protection for the yabbies. water level reaches a certain height the that if we have a power outage the fish still have a

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 7

 Our favourite tanks

supply of air. We put one air stone in the

fingerling tank next to the main fish tank
and another one in the main tank in case
of an emergency.

Production

Perth has a Mediterranean climate with

hot dry summers and cold wet winters
and our temperatures range from
-2 degrees to 45 degrees.

My aim has been to grow seasonal crops,

for example vegetables such as cabbage,
broccoli and cauliflowers in winter and
things like tomatoes, strawberries, rock
melons and capsicum in the summer
months. Some varieties of lettuce do
better than others year round and we
pick as early as 4 weeks after planting. I
have always found that you get better Construction work all coming together
results if you try to work with nature
rather than against it. For that reason barramundi over the summer.
we grow rainbow trout in the cool
months as they like cold water up to An aquaponics system allows
about 23 degrees. We harvest around us to grow a huge variety of
October and change to a fish that food crops and the planting
likes warmer temperatures such as density means we can grow
barramundi. I have successfully grown more in a much smaller space
both rainbow trout during winter and than you can in a dirt garden.

Aquaponic trout and salad for dinner.

We enjoy sharing with friends what we

have grown ourselves. Family and visitors
to our gardens have stated they have
never tasted fresher fish. Our system
can easily stock over 100 fish at any time
and at the end of the season our freezer is
well stocked allowing us to have regular
feeds of fish.

Maintenance

At the present moment I walk out the

door on my way to work and throw a
handful or two of food at the fish in the
Abundance of growth morning and about the same when I

8 Issue 3 2008
 Our favourite tanks

to take some photographs.

I have learnt that if you only take a glance

you can miss so much. It is when you
quiet your mind and potter that you can
really see what lives in the underworld of
an aquaponic system.

Our mini beasts have such beautifully

designed features and the interaction
of bugs and insects can be a beautiful
thing to watch. Aphids attract ladybirds

An Aquaponic forest of colour

come home at night. Picking fresh herbs tomatoes. As I was

for a pizza topping, a quick quiche or fish cleaning up one of
and salad keeps us healthy and saves me the beds I noticed
a lot of time, energy and money. something move
out of the corner
Usually on weekends I get out with my of my eye. At first
camera and take pictures of what is glance I thought it
happening amongst the plants. Then was an old tomato
Ill get the secateurs and trim up things flower but then
like the tomato plants and old leaves. discovered that it
Last weekend a wattle bird came and was a spider which
had a bath in the fish tank oblivious to was camouflaged,
the fact that I was hiding behind the a great opportunity

Tomatoes ripening-up

to the garden and it is an absolute joy to

watch their life cycle and to be able to
share that experience with all the visitors.
Watching bees pollinate the flowers and
birds calling to collect the caterpillars,
just shows you that there is something for
everyone in an aquaponic system.

Standing back and enjoying a glass

of wine, watching a trout launch itself
from the bottom of the tank to catch a
mosquito at sunset is just one of the joys
A vegetable market on your doorstep of keeping fish?

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 9

 Our favourite stories

The Road to
Aquaponics
A Personal
Account
By Carl Schmidt

T
he following story is a personal
account as to how and why I
managed to become involved
with Aquaponics. For many of
you reading this magazine, aquaponics
may be regarded as a new area of
interest, while for others something
that has been experimented with for
some time. Whatever the case may be,
this amazing method of growing food is
strongly gaining popularity worldwide
and I think its pretty clear to see why.

I graduated from Curtin University in

early 2002 with a Bachelor of Science
in Aquaculture and, like most young
university students, couldnt wait to
get out into the workforce and begin

Growing things in general has been a long time interest

of mine, stemming back to my earlier childhood working Carl in Tasmania at a bluewater
on my grandfathers farm near Boddington recirculation facility in Wayatinah
handling Salmon brood stock.

10 Issue 3 2008
 Our favourite stories

applying ones knowledge. While in my

last year and having belatedly discovered
my job prospects in Aquaculture were
quite limited within Australia, I applied
for several positions in the United States
of America before completing my final
exams. In case youre wondering Im
fortunate enough to hold dual Australian
and American nationality, so applying for
jobs in the U.S. was an obvious choice.

It wasnt long and I was on a plane heading

north, having accepted a position with
the Wyoming Game and Fish Department
in a small town called Pinedale. Oh and
I do mean small, as there were no traffic
lights to be found. Unlike our hills here
in Western Australia, western Wyoming
has mountain ranges rising to 4,500
metres and is quite a scenic part of the
Neets Bay just north of Ketchikan in Alaska.
world and one that I would recommend
people visit. I spent a year in Pinedale as for other jobs within the U.S. Next stop took about 30 minutes or alternatively
a field technician working and gaining south east Alaska! There I spent a year via boat, a three hour trip if the weather
experience primarily with various fresh living and working for the Southern was favourable. Consequently, I didnt get
water species such as brown, rainbow Southeast Regional Aquaculture to town very often. If only I had known
and brook trout as well as grayling and Association (SSRAA) at their remote more about aquaponics then. All our food
land locked kokanee salmon. During my salmon hatchery at Neets Bay just north was flown in by plane every week and at
contract position, I was also involved with of Ketchikan. By any standards, this is considerable cost.
a number of different projects including quite a large hatchery, producing in
a major native fish restoration project excess of 130 million chum and other After nearly two years away from family
involving chemical treatments, back salmon species annually for release back and friends, I decided it was time to
pack electro shocking, creel surveys of into the wild fishery. The experience return to Western Australia, at least for
recreational fishers and a wild spawning was certainly an eye opener for me, as awhile anyway. While back in Perth, I
and egg collection program. it was my first exposure to extensive managed a small silver perch hatchery for
aquaculture on a grand scale. And like two seasons in the hills, producing and
After completing my contract with the western Wyoming, Neets Bay was far selling fingerlings primarily to farmers for
Department, I decided another adventure removed from civilisation. The only way stocking their dams. However it wasnt
was in order and so I started to apply to get into town was by float plane which long before I had caught the travelling

Carls 8 bed flood and drain system built behind the Backyard Aquaponics shop. Carls first 6 bed system.

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 11

 Our favourite stories

bug again, but this time I decided I would vegetable gardens. Thus
try and see a little more of my own combining both my
backyard and stay a little closer to home. I theoretical knowledge
accepted a hatchery position in Tasmania and practical experience
at a bluewater recirculation facility in in growing fish with
Wayatinah working for Salmon Enterprises my personal interest in
of Tasmania (SALTAS). The Wayatinah growing vegetables, it
hatchery, which raises Atlantic Salmon, is was perhaps inevitable
a highly intensive operation with all the that I was led to
bells and whistles and quite different from investigate the field of
the Neets Bay facility. The fish are raised aquaponics. I have not
in freshwater on site until they are classed been disappointed with
as smolts. Once the smolts are able to this shift in career focus,
handle saltwater they are then transported as it has certainly proved
on trucks to various locations around to be an area worth
the state and are grown out in net pens investigating.
before being harvested. After spending
18 months in the hatchery and having From an aquaculturists
worked with salmon, again it was time to point of view pumping,
move back to WA and sunnier climes. filtering, aerating and
exchanging water in
You are probably wondering by now a recirculation system
how and why I have become involved in on a daily basis to grow
Aquaponics and more recently as part fish can be a relatively
of the Backyard Aquaponics team here expensive undertaking
in Jandakot. Growing things in general and one that requires
has been a long time interest of mine, careful management and Catching Halibut in Alaska.
stemming back to my earlier childhood monitoring. Most large
working on my grandfathers farm aquaculture recirculation systems require operation and maintenance of larger
near Boddington. I was also exposed a minimum 10% water exchange every scale systems.
to hydroponics during my high school day and all of the attendant pumping
years and subsequently have had several costs and effluent disposal issues this As everybody is aware, food prices are
entails. Thus to be able to grow fish and escalating in Australia and there are
plants in a small area using a minimal now severe food shortages in many
amount of water and to utilize fish waste countries around the globe due primarily
as a natural fertilizer makes so much to climate change, increasing fuel and
sense (or dollars and cents as the case transport costs and the increased use
may be). of arable farm land to grow bio-fuels.
Locally, sourcing suitable fresh water
Earlier this year, I erected a large resources for horticultural and other
hothouse behind the Backyard intensive farming operations is also a
Aquaponics shop and have recently major concern in many parts of Australia.
installed my second aquaponics system, Then there is the issue of being able to
an 8 bed flood and drain facility to source high quality fruit and vegetables
augment my 6 bed system that I had and our increasing reliance on imported
installed earlier. With the support and produce. It is in this context that I believe
guidance of Joel Malcolm and the aquaponics has a very bright future
other Backyard Aquaponics staff, I am ahead, as it offers farmers and backyard
currently using this facility to conduct enthusiasts with a far more cost effective
research into the commercial potential and environmentally sustainable way of
of aquaponics and in the process gain a growing high quality food.
greater understanding as to some of the
key issues associated with the installation, Some things are best left to nature!

12 Issue 3 2008
 By the Barbeque

Aquaponic
omelette
a complete meal

Interesting facts!
Have you ever wondered what the it can be served as a
difference is between a quiche a savoury main course or
souffl and an omelette? sweetened as a dessert. The
name comes from the French
The name quiche is derived from the verb souffl which means to
French word kuche which means puff up.
cake. Made primarily with eggs
and the addition of milk or cream Omelettes are prepared with
it is baked in an oven and made beaten eggs and cooked in a
with a pastry crust. Often savoury fry pan using butter or oil and
flavourings are added such as bacon, folded around a filling such as
vegetables, herbs and cheese. cheese and vegetables. They have
been described as soft cooked
A souffl is a light fluffy dish scrambled eggs wrapped
resulting from beating the egg in an envelope of firmly
whites before adding to the custard, cooked scrambled eggs.

Delicious omelette recipe on the next page.

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 13

 Q
By the Barbeque

Heres a recipe sent in to us by Max Antuar

ts
in Queensland. The recipe sounded so Ingredien ro ccoli flor
ets
p e d B
good that we had to try it out. nely chop beet
3/4 cup fi a ch or Silver
ed S p in
1 cup slic um
Method: u p o f R ed Capsic
1/4 c c
ced Garli
1 tsp. min
Set nonstick fry pan to medium high heat, add Olive oil,
parated.
4 eggs, se
then the first 4 ingredients and ground pepper,
e se
a t ed c h eddar che
r
1/2 cup g
saut until crisp and tender
se
d P a r m esan chee
combine egg yolks and next 4 ingredients in bowl ,
ate
3 tbsp.gr il
resh Bas
stir well
1/2 cup f
aprika
beat egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff but not
dry, fold into cheese mix, and then 1/4 tsp P n d salt to ta
ste
ep p er a
fold the mix into fry pan, lower heat to medium, and ground P
cook until mixture sets, approx 10 to 12 minutes Olive oil
Allow to cool slightly, and turn out onto toasted
Recipe By Max Antuar
crumpets or multigrain toast.
Enjoy!

Personalized
Aquaponics Help

All in the pan.

Joel, Dooley and his wife enjoying the Aquaponic Omelette.

14 Issue 3 2008
Q&A
On the Deck Chairs

Questions and answers

I
n Q&A we will cover some of the the case with even less aggressive fish
most commonly asked questions species such as Tilapia.
about aquaponics with some simple
straightforward answers to help you One simple rule to keep in mind is that if
understand how aquaponics works. you stock a smaller fingerling into a tank
If you have any questions youd like with larger fish, be sure that the smaller
answered please feel free to write to us fish are large enough that they dont
with your enquiry. easily fit into the mouth of the larger fish.

is decreased as algae in the water

consumes the available dissolved
oxygen, while at the same time fish will
be consuming dissolved oxygen.

You can supplement oxygen

requirements at night with other
methods of oxygenation like an air
pump, however generally its often
easier to continue pumping cycles 24
hours a day.

Question: Can I have more than Question: Do I have to run my

one species of fish in an aquaponic aquaponic system at night?
system?
Not necessarily, it depends on the
Answer: Yes, its quite feasible to have system and your stocking density.
different species of fish in your system, Although plants produce oxygen
however you will need to keep a few during the day through the process
things in mind when stocking with of photosynthesis, they also consume
multiple species. Some fish species oxygen at all times through other
can be aggressive by nature, if you are biological processes that happen
growing an aggressive species such as day and night. During the day they
Trout or Barramundi in your system, produce far more oxygen than what
Question: Can I use goldfish in my
then you cant stock the same tank they consume. This means that
aquaponic system?
with small fingerling. This can also be during the night oxygen availability

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 15

 On the Deck Chairs

Yes. Goldfish or other varieties of the beds from the fish

comets, fantails etc. can easily be used tank. Worms help
as a nutrient supply in an aquaponics mineralize these
system. These fish are often stocked by wastes into worm
people who have no interest in having tea which becomes
edible fish species.

We have found through trials of

different fish feed that you need to
feed the fish a quality feed, otherwise
mineral deficiencies can show in
plants. Mineral deficiencies can valuable for
generally be easily remedied though uptake by the plants
by the addition of minerals into the growing in the growbeds.
system, often in the form of seaweed
extract. Many people have expressed
surprise that worms would live in an
Questions: Will earthworms live in environment that is regularly flooded
a growbed? by water as the common thought is
that worms do not like being flooded, can survive in well oxygenated water,
Yes. Worms are very useful in and will die. This is not such an issue its only when water is stagnant and
growbeds for breaking down old root in the growbeds because the water is has low levels of dissolved oxygen that
matter and other wastes pumped into generally well oxygenated and worms they suffer.

16 Issue 3 2008
 In the Garage

Trial by
media
By Carl Schmidt

W
e often have
enquiries
from aquaponic
enthusiasts
regarding what type of grow bed
media should be used in an aquaponic
system. There are a number of materials which
may be used in aquaponic systems including
perlite, vermiculite and coco peat, along with
harder rock and clay media. The type of media
you use in a system may depend on your system
design. These lightweight media are acceptable
for supporting plant roots and sustaining plant
growth but are not particularly well suited to
flood and drain recirculation aquaponic systems,
where they can be inclined to float easily and are
likely to break down over time and clog pipes.
We set up a trial of different media types to
see if there are any significant differences in
performance. Described below are the four
types of media we tested in the systems.

Expanded Clay

Expanded clay is an inorganic material

commonly known as LECA (Light
Expanded Clay Aggregate) and is also
called Hydroton (brand name), fired

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 17

 In the Garage

clay pebbles or grow rocks. The pebbles Pea Gravel compared to some other media. Pea
are lightweight, chemically inert, durable, gravel is often available in bulk amounts
pH neutral, sterile, heat proof, reusable and Gravel is the term given such as by the cubic metre or trailer load
provide good insulation and surface area to any loose rock larger and its weight per volume will depend
for bacteria to colonise. They have been than 2mm in size but not on the particle size you are purchasing,
used for many years in the hydroponics larger than 63mm. Pea gravel is simply though as a rule of thumb its generally
industry (the purpose for which they were gravel which has been screened to a about 2.3 ton per cubic metre.
designed) and more recently aquaponics. certain size. It is most commonly used
as a decorative landscaping material Disease potential is a risk unless the
The pebbles have a dry weight density in garden design, where it assists with gravel has been supplied by an accredited
of between 300 to 500 kg/m3 and are surface drainage or acts as a surface supplier as it could contain Phytophthora
generally supplied in 45 or 50 litre bags mulch to reduce weed establishment. It cinnamomi commonly known as
depending on brand. LECA is produced is relatively cheap and readily available. dieback which poses a threat to many
in many countries around the world, However it is also significantly heavy horticultural crops.
made from local clay, an ecologically which can present a few problems if used
sustainable medium, which is kiln fired in a conventional aquaponic system, as Blue Metal
to a temperature of 1200 degrees Celsius the growbeds which holds the media
where they puff up like popcorn making must be engineered to hold the weight, Blue metal as it is
them lightweight and creating a porous and the supports themselves must also known in Australia is a
product which helps provide good be stable enough to support the total basalt derived aggregate
oxygen levels around the root system. weight of the bed when full of water. which, like pea gravel, is also commonly
used in landscaping as a drainage
Expanded clay is available in different This media may contain fine clay particles medium. It is also cheap and available
sizes such as 4-8mm, 8-16mm,10-20mm. and requires extensive washing when from most landscape garden suppliers

18 Issue 3 2008
 In the Garage

in bulk amounts such as by the trailer Diatomite has a low

or truck load as it is often used in road ph at around 5.5 and a
construction. Unlike expanded clay chemical composition
and pea gravel, blue metal has a rough including silica,
appearance and sometimes sharp edges sodium magnesium
which makes it difficult to plant into and iron.
causing cuts and abrasions on hands as
well as broken fingernails making it a There are a few small
less attractive material to work with. Blue deposits in Victoria
metal is extremely heavy weighing in at and also Western
2.8 tonne per M3. Australia, however
they are of a low grade
This aggregate is made up of 69% quality. In the USA
feldspars or rock forming minerals there are guidelines
including magnesium, iron and silicates for the maximum
as well as a range of other minerals amounts allowable in
including calcite. One interesting fact the product and in the
is that rock dust often used to improve air protecting workers
dirt gardens is predominantly made from inhaling the dust
from crushed rock and contains many containing crystalline
beneficial minerals supporting plant silica. The potential
health. Magnesium forms a key role hazard is determined
in manufacturing chlorophylls which by the form of silica. Mould and algae growth on the diatomite
perform photosynthesis, Iron promotes Diatomite that has been
and regulates plant growth and Silicates labelled food-grade contains very low Ease of handling this is something
help strengthen cell walls providing percentages of the silica. that is often over looked when deciding
resistance to pest and fungal attack. which media to use. Using a light
weight growing media makes it easier
Diatomite THE TRIAL...... to handle when constructing a system,
but more importantly when planting
Diatomite is a and harvesting your plants. Expanded
sedimentary rock When determining what media to use clay is undoubtedly easier on the hands,
consisting mainly in your aquaponic system, there are unlike gravel or blue metal which is
of decomposed and several different factors that need to be much harder to work with.
fossilised single celled organisms derived considered. These include:
from algae. It is lightweight when dry There are however other important
although highly absorbent and quite Cost particularly important for considerations including the growth and
heavy when wet due to its ability to hold those trying to stick to a budget. health of the plants. Consequently each
water. The media itself is powdery to Gravel and blue metal are by far the of the 4 grow beds were filled with one of
touch causing skin to dry out if handled cheapest media as mentioned above the growing media described above and
without the use of gloves. It is inclined and are readily available from most then planted each with the same plants
to breakdown over a period of time. garden suppliers. Expanded clay and (lettuces, beetroot, cauliflower, silverbeet,
Diatomite can be used as an insecticide as Diatomite are more costly and are only spinach, red and green cabbages) in order
the fine powder which extracts lipids from available from selected suppliers. to establish any major visual differences
the surface of the insect causes drying in growth between the beds.
out of the exoskeleton, causing irritation Weight gravel and blue metal are
until the insect scratches itself to death both extremely heavy, unlike the The experiment was done during the
which makes it useful in the fight against expanded clay and diatomite which winter months using Rainbow trout and
slaters, cockroaches and other bugs. are both very light. If using a heavy winter vegetables over a six month period
Disadvantages of the use of this product weight media, growbeds and stands and was outside under shade cloth. Perth
are the risks to human health as well as its need to be well constructed in order experiences cool mild winters with daytime
non selective nature in killing beneficial to safely support such weight. A solid temperatures ranging from 14-25 degrees
bugs such as ladybirds. fixed structure is best. during the day.

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 19

 In the Garage

THE FINDINGS.

Overall, there appears to be very

little difference between these four
different grow bed media, bearing in
mind if one was to test these materials
more scientifically they would need
to compare the same growing media
in the one system as well as multiple
separate systems. Replication is the
key in any experiment. Due to this
trial having been operating for only a
brief time, we can only report on our
preliminary findings based on what
we have observed to date. In other
words, some grow bed materials may
out perform others over a longer time
period, but we are yet to determine if Growth after 6 weeks
this is the case.
size, has a larger void space between The system was fed waste produced
After comparing the growth of the the individual pebbles when compared from rainbow trout fingerlings initially,
plants in all four grow beds after to the other three media, providing which have now grown to plate size
only 9 weeks, we observed very little greater aeration for the plant roots in the six months. No other additives
difference between the four grow bed in the grow bed. Another interesting were needed to grow the vegetables
media. The plants in all 4 beds grew observation was with the lettuces during this time. When the winter
vigorously and we could not discern any grown in the blue metal. The lettuces in vegetables were harvested we began
significant visual differences in general the three other beds had some aphids to notice a degree of flooding in three
plant health, although the height of present, while the lettuces grown in of the beds, these included the media
the plants grown in the expanded clay the blue metal had virtually none. This diatomite, blue metal and gravel.
was marginally greater than in the could be purely coincidental, however This was possibly caused due to
other 3 beds. This could be due to the the lettuces have been observed over compaction of the media as well as the
compaction factor of the material. The the entire trial period and nothing has roots clogging the pore spaces before
expanded clay, because of its round changed as yet. breaking down or being eaten by
worms. Also because of the extreme
moisture absorbent nature of diatomite
the surface of the bed always remains
damp, this has led to algae growth over
the surface of the media and rotting of
some plants which has not been seen
in beds using other media.

In conclusion, the preliminary results

from this simple trial have shown
that any of these four mediums can
be used to grow plants successfully,
remembering that each one has its own
positive and negative attributes when
used in an aquaponic system. Though
diatomites disadvantages probably out
weight its advantages in the growing
trials we did here.

20 Issue 3 2008
 By the Pool

Rainbow
Trout

Oncorhynchus
By Joel Malcolm mykiss

R
ainbow trout are a cool water 1.5:1 down to 1:1. This means that on As rainbow trout have been selectively
species of salmonid which average you can expect that for every bred for so many years, generally the
are widely distributed around 1.25 kg of feed you can expect to grow genetic makeup of modern rainbow
the world. They have been 1kg of trout. FCRs are dependent on a trout means that fish have a very rapid
cultured and stocked into dams and rivers number of factors such as water quality, and uniform growth rate, reducing the
in every continent except Antarctica, and
are possibly the best known fresh water
sporting fish in the world. Rainbow trout
prefer cooler water temperatures, with Rainbow trout are an ideal choice for aquaponic
optimum growing temperatures around systems due to their wide tolerance of pure freshwater
13C (56F) 17C (62F). They can tolerate
temperatures as low as 3C (38F) and
as high 24C (75F) but not for extended
periods of time. genetic factors, temperature and feed need for continual grading of fish sizes.
quality. Low protein feeds and poorly Rainbow trout have a high Dissolved
Rainbow trout kept in optimal conditions digestible diets can lead to an FCR as low Oxygen (DO) requirement in
can have extremely good Feed as 2:1 or worse (Bromage et al., 1990, comparison to many other fish species
Conversion Ratios (FCR) ranging from Gibsons, 1998). normally cultivated in aquaponic

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 21

 By the Pool

systems. However trials of rainbow

trout in aquaponic systems around the
world have found them to be a very
successful species for culture in a range
of different systems.

In locations where there are wide

temperature fluctuations between
summer and winter, trout can be an
ideal winter crop with their quick grow-
out time. In areas with cooler climates
trout make an ideal all year round
species. Through trials in our location
in Perth Western Australia which has a
Mediterranean climate, we have found
that having a larger water volume in
our fish tanks means less temperature
fluctuations as the weather starts to
warm up. Smoothing out the daily
temperature fluctuations in a system
makes for healthier less stressed fish, and Rainbow trout have extremely good Feed Conversion Rations ranging from 1:5:1 to 1:1
as such less chance of diseases becoming
a problem. We have also found that quality. Increased stress levels can lead and an increase in blood ammonia. This
shading a system with shade cloth in to physiological changes within the fish. response is the Alarm Reaction. With the
harsh weather conditions can also aid in The main clinical feature of the acute stress removal of the stressor from the system,
controlling temperature fluctuations and response is hyperactivity. Physiologically, the physiological activities return to their
extending the grow out period. there are many alterations. Chief among original state (George W Klontz, M.S.,
them are the rapid depletion of intra renal D.V.M., 1991).
Trout may become stressed due to ascorbic acid, an increase in circulating
a number of factors such as human cortisol, cessation of renal and intestinal Other effects of increased stress levels
intervention and decline in water activity, hemoconcentration, leukocytosis, include increased susceptibility to
latent viral and bacterial infections. Just
as humans become more susceptible
to diseases and viruses when under
increased stress levels, fish also suffer
a similar fate. If disease problems do
occur in your trout then salt bath
treatments will generally be successful
as a treatment. Details about treating
common fish diseases with salt can be
found in the first edition of the Backyard
Aquaponics Magazine which is readily
available for free download from our
website www.backyardaquaponics.com

There are many viral and bacterial

infections that could be problematic in
trout production, however so long as
water quality is kept at a high level and
fish stress is kept to a minimum, trout are
an ideal cool water species for intensive
cultivation in aquaponic systems, and
Rainbow trout prefer cooler water temperatures should have extremely low mortality

22 Issue 3 2008
 By the Pool

rates. We have produced numerous

crops of trout in different sized
recirculating aquaponic systems
with mortality rates generally
around 0% 2%.

Rainbow trout are an ideal choice

for aquaponic systems due to their
wide tolerance of pure freshwater
as well as their ability to wow the
visitors at feed time where they
launch themselves from the bottom
of the tank and clear the water in
search of a flying insect or pellets.
They feed on high protein floating
pellets designed for their optimum
health and growth. Recent harvests
have shown that under optimum
conditions have been grown to more
than 700grams during the 6 month
growing season. Rainbow trout have a high Dissolved Oxygen requirement compared to other cultivated fish species

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 23

 On the Deck Chairs

Fish Anatomy
By John Burgess

E
very hobbyist should try to cross-section is elliptical. of the gills, oxygen is absorbed - like
acquaint themselves with the lungs in land creatures.
external and internal anatomy The head is integral with the body. Also
of the fish they keep. The names the body is generally free of projections Nervous System
of various fins and parts of the body are that might offer resistance. The eyes are
constantly occurring in the description of smooth and do not extend beyond the In comparison with higher vertebrates a
the species. I will try to help with the contours of the head; the gill opening is fishs nervous system is poorly developed.
identification and definition of the covered by a smooth flap (operculum); The brain is extremely small in relation to
various fish parts in the following section. and the scales lie closely against the body size. The lack of grey matter is
body surface. particularly appalling in the bony fish
Body Shape (such as herring and perch) because in
Of course the fins protrude but these this group the cerebrum, traditional
Generally fish are torpedo shaped with stabilise the fish. They can be folded centre of thought and reason, is almost
rounded nose, a thicker middle and a along the body during rapid swimming totally lacking.
tapered tail. and act as brakes when erected.
Also fish have relatively few, poorly
The external structure offers little The head of the fish has its mouth, developed nerves. Therefore their ability
resistance to the water. The body is nostrils and gill cover. The gills (found to experience sensations such as pain
spindle shaped, somewhat heavier under the gill covers) allow the fish to would be diminished in comparison to
toward the front than the rear and the breath. As water moves over the surface higher vertebrates.

24 Issue 3 2008
 On the Deck Chairs

Fins

Fins help the fish swim. The large

muscles of the body actually do most
of the work, but the fins help with
balance and turning. The fins are made
up of stiff rays covered by skin. Some
may be jointed and some separate near

the edge of the fin.

In certain fish, some of the rays

supporting the fins are bony, stiff,
unjointed, and spiny. They help protect
the fish from its predators who do not
want a mouthful of sharp spears!

Fins are of two general types, paired or
unpaired (and median). The paired
pectoral and pelvic (ventral) fins
correspond to the fore and hind limbs
of terrestrial vertebrates.

The unpaired fins are the dorsal (back),

caudal (tail) and anal (belly) fins. Fish
never have more than two pairs of
paired fins (some only have one pair)
but the number of dorsal and anal fins

varies widely.

Fin Functions

Each fin on a fish is designed to

perform a specific function. I will list
them here.

Dorsal fin Lends stability in

swimming.

Ventral fin Serves to provide stability

in swimming.

Caudal fin In most fish, the Caudal or

tail fin is the main propelling fin.

Anal fin Also lends stability in

swimming.

Pectoral fins Locomotion and side to

side movement.

Adipose fin Stability.

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 25

 On the Deck Chairs

Scales Rings that are farther apart occur when Arches. On the Gill Arches are mounted
the fish grows well and there is lots of the actual Gills; a delicate system of blood
The deeper place dermis of the skin is food - in the summer season. vessels covered by a very thin Epithelium
made up of connective fibroblasts, through which the gaseous exchange
collagen and blood vessels. The scales of Rings that are close together occur when takes place.
a fish lie in pockets in the dermis and the fish does not get much food and
come out of the connective tissue. grows slowly. On the scale you can
identify the summer growth and the
Scales do not stick out of a fish but are winter growth. (There will be several
covered by the epithelial layer. The scales rings in each).
overlap and so form a protective flexible
armour capable of withstanding blows The core represents the fish when it
and bumping. was first born, as a fry. The rings near
the edge are the most recent periods
There are two main types of scales, both of growth.
are round, but in one the edges are
serrated and the other are completely Pigment (colour) Cells
smooth. In the Mailed Catfish the scales
are replaced by bony plates. In some The many colours and patterns seen
other species there are no scales at all. in many fish are produced by cells in
the dermis. These cells are named
Scales protect the fish from its environ- for the pigment they contain.
ment. They overlap like shingles on a roof
so that the skin of the fish is not exposed. Melanophores Brownish-Black
As a fish grows, their scales produce pigment called Melanin.
rings much like a tree - and that is one
way scientists can tell how old a fish is. Erythrophores Red pigment.

Most fish get extra protection from a layer Xanthophores- Yellow pigment.
of slime that covers their scales. This slime
helps them move through the water Iridophores Contain crystals
better, (which also forms a barrier to which refract and reflect light, given
bacterial infections) and keeps pests off many fish their metallic look.
of the fish skin.
Fish can change colour from one
Look at the image of the fish scale below, moment to the next. This is caused by
like a tree, scales show rings that indicate the movement of Melanin grains within Skin
periods of growth. each cell.
The skin of fish is divided into two layers,
When dispersed, they absorb more light the Epidermis (outer) layer and the Dermis.
and the area of the fish darkens, when The Epidermis is made up of epithelial
tightened the fish goes pale. cells, arranged one above the other. These
cells are constantly shed and replaced
Gills with new ones.

Respiration is carried out by means of gills Inter-spaced between the epithelial cells are
located under the gill covers. The walls of slime cells, which produce mucoid secretions
the Pharynx is perforated by five slit-like that form the very important protective
openings. The tissue between the slits is covering, we know as the slime coat. The
called the Gill arch, so on each side of the dermis lies under the epidermis and many
fish there are five Gill Slits and Four Gill important functions happen there.

26 Issue 3 2008
 On the Deck Chairs

The streamlining of the fish is carried over

to the skin, which probably fits more Did you know that the loss of a scale, or exposure of the skin
closely than the skins of other
through removal of the protective slime coating, through
vertebrates. The skin is a relatively
impervious, tough and elastic protective attack by another fish or by rough human handling, is the
covering. This protection is even more equivalent to a third degree burn in humans.
effective because of the scales
characteristic of fish (the absence of
Always handle your fish with the utmost care for the
scales in some species can be regarded as
a special development). Scientists can age shortest possible time. Keep them immersed whenever
some species of fish by counting the possible and always ensure your hands are wet before and
annulus or year-mark on scales.
while handling them.
The skin holds certain sense organs,
numerous glands, and colour cells
responsible for the intricate patterns The skeleton supports the body, affords most fish these vertical segments are
many fish display. Also a waste product protection (the cranium protects the divided into dorsal (upper) and ventral
called guanin is deposited on the skin and brain and the vertebrae protect the spinal (lower) sections by the lateral line.
because it can reflect light produces cord), offers surfaces for attachment of
white, silver or occasionally iridescent muscles, and provides leverage for Fish also have various specialised muscles
effects. movement. Because of the supporting such as those which move the jaws, gill
effect of water the last two functions are covers and fins. Also there are so-called
Skeletal System of less significance among fish than smooth muscles that are essentially part
among terrestrial vertebrates. of certain organs (the wall of the digestive
The skeleton of a fish may consist of tract for instance), and the cardiac
actual bones or may be cartilage. The Musculature muscles of the heart.
major divisions are: the backbone and
associated structures (ribs, unpaired fins The absence of such complicated Respiration
and tail); the girdles (pectoral and pelvic) appendages as legs and wings allows fish
and attached paired fins; and the skull, to have a primitive arrangement of Most fish get their necessary oxygen
including the supporting structure of the muscles down each side of the body in a through gills. Each of the gill filaments,
gill cover. series of definite and similar segments. In which are attached to the outer curve of

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 27

 On the Deck Chairs

the gill arches, is richly supplied with

blood vessels.

As the water passes over the gills, carbon

dioxide and other wastes are discharged
from the blood and oxygen dissolved in
the water is absorbed into the blood
stream through the delicate membrane
of the filaments.

Digestive Tract sacs attached to the stomach near its exit.

These are called pyloric caeca but their
The digestive system consists of the exact function is unknown. Some fish
mouth, gullet, stomach, intestines, have none at all while others have
pancreas and liver. Size and position of considerable numbers (the mackerel has
the mouth vary widely with the feeding nearly 200).
habits of the fish.
Reproductive Organs
Bottom-feeding fish have a mouth turned
downward. When the main food is found The ovaries (one or more commonly two)
in the open water the mouth usually is in the female fish lie in the upper part of
terminal (pointing directly forward). If a the body cavity, more or less parallel to
fish feeds mainly on the surface the the kidneys. In most fish the eggs are first
Circulation mouth may slope sharply upward (as in discharged into a hollow central cavity of
the spotted barramundi or saratoga). the ovary and then passed to the exterior
In the higher vertebrates two chambers through special ducts.
of the heart (one auricle and one Shape and spacing of the teeth also vary.
ventricle) are concerned with pumping Predatory fish usually have numerous, In certain fish which bear live young
blood from the heart to the lungs and strong teeth on the jaws, as well as other (sharks, for instance) the terminal position
two with distribution of the oxygenated parts of the mouth and pharynx. Some of the ducts may be expanded to
blood to the various body parts. species have teeth shaped for crushing or accommodate the developing offspring.
grinding and others have no teeth at all. In other viviparous fish (such as mosquito
However fish get by with just a ventricle fish) the young develop in the ovary itself.
and auricle. The blood is pumped forward Collection of food is helped in some
by the heart to the base of the gills, species by the gill rakers (attached to the The number and size of eggs vary
passes through the capillaries of the gill inside curve of the gill arches) which are enormously from species to species.
filaments, and is then distributed to the modified to form a comb-like structure Pelagic fish that spawn in the open sea
body tissues through arteries and that strains small particles from the water. produce the most. Nest builders usually
capillaries. Blood collected by other produce fewer eggs than wild spawners,
capillaries returns to the heart through The rest of the alimentary tract is while in viviparous species the number
the veins. straightforward, except for the tube-like may be small (only 4 to 14 eggs for one of

28 Issue 3 2008
 On the Deck Chairs

the rays). Eggs of the pelagic fish are obnoxious substances as turpentine Hearing
naturally small but in some sharks they and chloroform.
are bigger than ostrich eggs. In fish and other vertebrates the ear is an
Sight organ of equilibrium as well as hearing.
The testes of the male fish are in a similar The part concerned with hearing lacks
position in the body cavity to the ovaries General structure of a fishs eye is the intricate internal structure found in
of the female and like them have special similar to that of other higher vertebrates. This and supporting
ducts to take the sex products from the vertebrates. However there are experimental evidence suggest fish do
body. Males of viviparous species have certain modifications for seeing not hear at all in the ordinary sense.
special organs (developed from the under water. The outer wall of Their hearing probably consists of little
pelvic or anal fin) for internal fertilisation the eye is flatter in fish than in more than the detection of vibrations in
of the eggs. land vertebrates. The lens itself is the water. In many fish the ear is
much more rounded. connected to the swim bladder by a
Smell tubelike growth from the latter or by a
Fish focus their eyes not by series of small bones.
The olfactory organs consist of deep pits changing the shape of the lens
lined with special tissue. The size and (as terrestrial vertebrates do) but It is possible this intensifies the impulses
position on the head of these organs vary rather by shifting its position. from vibrations in the water. Another
widely. The use of this olfactory sense structure that might help is the lateral line
varies not only with the species but also There is evidence that fish are organ, which experiments indicate might
with the conditions. comparatively near-sighted but be capable of detecting low-frequency
experiments have proved they can vibrations (about six a second).
English experiments showed that distinguish colours. Eyes tend to be
Pollock that were not particularly small and inefficient in species that Taste
hungry usually smelt food before taking live regularly in turbid water and
it. However when ravenous the same may be lacking altogether in fish in Little is known about the sense of taste in
fish bolted down clams soaked in such underground waters. fish. In fact there is some question as to
whether this sense exists in most species.
Many of the taste functions are
performed by organs distributed over the
body, or on barbels.

Touch

Touch is probably the most highly

developed sense fish possess. Sense
organs in the form of buds or small pits
and in contact with nerves are distributed
over the entire body. They are particularly
numerous in strategic positions such as
the surface of feelers and barbels. The
extent to which fish feel pain has long
been debated. Although no one will ever
know how a fish feels when hooked there
is ample evidence that the experience is
not disturbing enough to halt feeding
activities.

It is not uncommon for fish that have

escaped before being landed, or released,
to take the hook again immediately

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 29

 On the Deck Chairs

called a pneumocystic duct, bottom if they stop swimming.

and it allows additional
adjustment of buoyancy by Our fish are really not so different from us
letting air out through the they see, taste, smell and hear but they
digestive tract. do it in an interesting underwater world.
Understanding how your fish relate to
It was believed that before their world will help you provide them
fish evolved this buoyancy with the best care.
organ, they would have
needed to swim constantly in Perhaps we should ask, just how different
order to maintain their depth. are we really from fish, our evolutionary
Many experts on fish ancestors?
evolution believe that the
eventual development of the Perhaps not that much when you look at
swim bladder allowed fish to the early embryonic development of
afterwards. In Australia the tailor is a swim slower and become various species.
prime example. Specimens have been more manoeuvrable and agile, and that
caught with two gleaming sets of hooks these free swimming habits were
already in their jaws. accompanied by changes in body form
Have you ever wondered how
and fin shapes, forms and function.
The Lateral Line is how the fish hears. It
your fish seem to know when
is sensitive to pressure, vibration, The swim-bladder may have developed youre coming to feed them?
movement and sound and lets the fish originally as an organ of respiration; it still Next issue well look at the
know what is in the water around them. has that function in some primitive fish.
question of fish sense
However the swim-bladder in most fish
or at least fish senses.
Swim Bladder helps them stay afloat. Sharks, which do
not have a swim-bladder, sink to the
In the weightless underwater world,
human divers use equipment known as Fish Salamander Tortoise Chicken Pig Cow Rabbit Human
buoyancy compensator devices, which
allow them to maintain neutral
buoyancy. These are vests that contain
bladders of air that can be adjusted to
allow the diver to go deeper into the
water or rise to the surface.

Fish have their own built-in device

called the swim bladder, which is a gas-
filled sac in the abdomen that helps
them to maintain buoyancy in the
water. Like a BCD, the sac inflates if the
fish needs to be more buoyant and
deflates if the fish needs to be less
buoyant.

Goldfish and some other fish are

members of the cyprinid (minnows and
carp) family and are physostomous,
which means there is an open
connection between the oesophagus
and the swim bladder. The bladder is

30 Issue 3 2008
 The Magazine Rack

FAST, or Faith And Sustainable Technologies is a website started and run by Travis Hughey.
Travis has been involved in aquaponics for many years now and he has been one of the pioneers
in using plastic barrels to build aquaponic systems. He wrote the barrelponics manual which
he released as a free download for everyone.

Travis spent some time in Kenya last year helping the locals to learn about aquaponics, and
in May 2008 an aquaponics workshop was held at his property in South Carolina, and he
plans to run workshops on a regular basis in the future. Theres a lively discussion group at the
barrelponics discussion forum, with people from all around the world involved in discussions.

You can check out the website at www.fastonline.org

We can supply
complete BYAP
Kit Systems fully
installed and
working
or a full range of
BYAP Products for
you own installation

Authorised NSW Distributor of BYAP Systems and Products

We have access to a wide variety of aquaculture stock, stock feed, tanks, bio-filters, nets, scales, water
quality tests and meters, microscopes and laboratory equipment.
We also carry, or can supply, a vast range of hydroponic products to meet your every need.
NFT equipment, nutrients, grow media, trays, pots, lights and much more.
Visit us at www.freshbynature.com.au or email us at info@freshbynature.com.au

www.backyardaquaponics.com Issue 3 2008 31

 The No.1 Aquaponics magazine for the backyard enthusiast. Issue 1 Summer 2007 The No.1 Aquaponics magazine for the backyard enthusiast.
Issue 2 The No.1 Aquaponics magazine Issue 3
Second Quarter 2008 for the backyard enthusiast. Third Quarter 2008

Bringing Food Production Home Bringing Food Production Home Bringing Food Production Home

Backyard Backyard Backyard

Aquaponics Aquaponics Aquaponics
Keeping Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Barramundi
Keeping Jade Perch
Road testing pumps Aquaponic recipes
Ladybirds the good, the bad or the ugly?
The Nitrogen Cycle A South African System
The road to Aquaponics A personal account

Backyard Aquaponics Magazine

Future Editions and Subscriptions
Work is well under way on the fourth edition of the Its promising to be an exciting issue, packed full of
magazine. We will be showcasing more systems that belong information, pictures and diagrams and we hope to
to members of the online discussion forum, there will be see you then.
information about fish feed and fish diseases, and well have

4
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 N
about aquaponics and provide you with straightforward
answers from experienced aquaponic system operators.

The Backyard Aquaponics Magazine can be purchased

and downloaded from the Backyard Aquaponics magazine
SO O
website either as individual issues, or as a yearly subscription.
Alternatively, we can mail you a copy of the magazine on
CD-Rom, or DVD.

If you have any queries, please dont hesitate

to contact us.
Backyard Aquaponics
PO Box 3350, Success.
Western Australia, 6964
+61 (08) 9414 9334
magazine@backyardaquaponics.com