Elis from Bonython, a 10 year old girl, has helped her family take the first step to learning about the exciting world of Aquaponics.
As part of a family project for the January school holidays, the Bonython family decided to setup a mini aquaponics system in their backyard.
The family of five consists of mum, Elizabeth, dad, Ian, Eilis, 10, Liam, 13 and Ewan 15.
They are referring to their system as the “dual screen laptop” system since it has two dual grow beds!
With some initial support and advice from Fusion’s Sustainability Education Centre, the family researched the various pieces of equipment, and the concepts of aquaponics. Then they went out and bought the various items from a local aquarium shop, Bunnings, and South Pacific Hydroponics in Fyshwick.
The fish tank is sunk into the ground to keep the temperature a bit more constant. They currently have 5 gold fish in the tank and the pump which pumps ammonia rich water up to the trestle table where the two plastic tub grow beds are.
At present they are growing some beans, tomatoes, and brown onions. The date these pictures were taken was about 10 days from when they planted the system out.
They will be writing up a parts list of what they used, and where they bought it from, which we will put up on our website for others to download in the coming weeks.
Well done Eilis and family!
