Our New Web Site

In late May 2009, we launched our new Integrated Backyard Food Production web site - www.microponics.net.au. Pay us a visit - you'll probably find it worthwhile.

The Urban Aquaponics Manual

The most up-to-date publication of its type in the world, The Urban Aquaponics Manual is a comprehensive how-to on growing fish and plants in your own backyard.

Want to know more? http://www.urbanaquaponics.net.au/urbanaqua

Creek Street Journal - Sunday 25th Nov. 2007

We've enjoyed good rains during the past week. Our 10,000 litre rainwater tank is now full.
The downside to the wet season (as it used to be) is the emergence of just about every kind of insect known to man.
In the past week, small grubs and aphis have invaded our NFT lettuce and herbs and our tomatoes are being stung before they reached 30mm in diameter. I've already spotted the first leaf hoppers for the season. We've purchased some mosquito nets but I think it's probably too late for some of our plants.
Vegetable gardening in Queensland is a year round activity but it becomes much more challenging at this time of year.

Ausyfish Fish Hatchery

If you're looking for freshwater fish fingerlings, I recommend that you try Ausyfish.
While they're based in Childers in Queensland, they ship all over the place.
They're my preferred supplier because they ship disease-free stock and dealing with them is easy and hassle-free.
Ausyfish proprietor, Bruce Sambell has over 20 years of experience around fish.

Creek Street Journal - Sunday 18th Nov. 2007

This week saw the failure of our washing machine, refrigerator and the heater element in my electric incubator. The silver lining in this cloud meant that we replaced our old top loading washer with a front loading (much more water efficient) machine. As for the refrigerator, I modified the door, saved $320 and crossed one more gouging appliance dealer off my Christmas list.
Last week's setting of quail eggs had to be discarded when the heater element on the incubator failed but we're hoping that the delay will be short.
We've begun harvesting the 3 week-old lettuce from our NFT system.

Creek Street Journal - Sunday 11th Nov. 2007

Today, we put a square foot garden together. The brainchild of American Mel Bartholomew, square foot gardening is a waterwise, space-efficient gardening system. I'm using water from the fish tank to irrigate our little 4' x 4' bed. It's not aquaponics but it's just as efficient in its use of water and space......and it will grow a range of vegetables and other plants that won't grow in a gravel grow bed.

We put a setting of 50 Japanese quail eggs into our electric incubator. We expect the arrival of the chicks in about 16 - 17 days.

The lettuce that we planted into our NFT system a fortnight ago are growing very well.

Creek Street Journal - Sunday 4th Nov. 2007

Today, I removed the float switch that controlled the pumping regime on my 1000 litre system and replaced it with a timer.
Float switches are excellent for larger aquaponics systems but, for the 800 - 1000 litre systems that I favour, timers and tuned standpipes offer a greater capacity for control. The only more reliable arrangement is one which recirculates continuously - like my 800 litre system.
We planted out the first punnet of lettuce into our recently relocated NFT System.....which is now attached to our 800 litre unit. As fate would have it, the weather is unseasonally hot so it will be interesting to see how the seedlings fare.