Description

The Backyard Aquaponics Manual was the first book in the world written about aquaponics.

We are currently updating the manual and expect to release the second edition within three to six months. To celebrate this, we are releasing the original Backyard Aquaponics Manual as a pdf you can download instantly. The original book was released with a DVD and CD-Rom, but it was only ever available in Black and white, this e-book is in full colour. See where it all began, learn about simple systems you can build in your own backyard, and follow the step by step instructions for how to build a large four bed aquaponics system.

Chapter headings are as follows:

Preface ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

So What Is Aquaponics
The Concept ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Components ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
The Ideal ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
The Dream …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
My Early Experiences ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11

Designing And Building A System
Tanks ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Pumps …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Grow beds ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18
Growing Media …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21
Grow Bed Irrigation and Draining ………………………………………………………………………….. 24
Running Costs ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27
Water Quality ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
Maintenance …………………………………………………………………………………………………………30

System Designs
Continuous Flow Systems………………………………………………………………………………………. 33
Flood And Drain Systems ………………………………………………………………………………………. 35

The Fish
Stocking Densities ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 41
Feeding Your Fish ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 42
Fin Fish Species ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 44
Barramundi ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44
Goldfish And Koi ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46
Black bream …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 48
Silver Perch ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
Murray Cod ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
Tilapia …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 53
Pacu …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 54
Trout …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 55
Crustaceans ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 56
Marron …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 56
Yabbie …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 58
Fish Conclusions …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 59

The Plants

Plants …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 60

Building A System
Building a shelter ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 64
Flood And Drain Design………………………………………………………………………………………… 72
Building Grow Bed Supports ………………………………………………………………………………….. 73
The Drain System …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 80
The Growing Medium …………………………………………………………………………………………… 82
The Irrigation Piping …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 84
Flood and drain Process ………………………………………………………………………………………… 89
Initialising The System ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 93
Planting the beds ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 95
Stocking With Fish ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 96
Conclusions and my Thoughts ……………………………………………………………………………….. 99
Thanks ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 102
Complete parts breakdown for full system as of 2005. ……………………………………………… 112

All the information you need to get started in building your own aquaponics system.