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The No.1 Aquaponics magazine for the backyard enthusiast.

Issue 1 • Summer 2007

Backyard Aquaponics

Bringing Food Production Home

Keeping Jade Perch Road testing pumps The Nitrogen Cycle

Introduction

Welcome
W
elcome to the very first edition of the Backyard Aquaponics Magazine. 2006 and 2007 have been big years for aquaponics, especially in Australia. The Backyard Aquaponicsdiscussion forum was formed in March 2006, and in the first 18 months, it’s grown to become the biggest and best aquaponics forum in the world. With over 1000 members and more joining every day, there’s new information and pictures being posted daily. The excitement generated by the discussions and photographs posted on the group is apparent by the number of contributions, over 90,000 posts insuch a short time is astounding. Most states in Australia have been having group get-togethers for members to meet and discuss aquaponics first hand with each other. The object of the discussion forum was to create a central learning hub, where people from around the world can learn from others in a stimulating environment. The online discussions have led to many new systems being built by members,with people sharing their knowledge and helping others with their design plans and problems. Members have been setting up systems all over the world in all types of conditions, from icy Alaska to tropical and desert areas of the United States and Australia; it’s a testament to people’s ingenuity the way that they have dealt with some of their difficult conditions. I’d like to pass on my thanks toeveryone who has been participating in the group. It’s only through having a diverse group of people with varied skills and knowledge that such a melting pot of ideas can be so highly productive. The forum has exceeded my wildest expectations and become a friendly thriving community that is helping to advance aquaponic knowledge, and make it accessible to everyone. But, back to the magazine. Thismagazine will become a further extension of the discussion group, an information source where ideas, plans and information are laid out clearly for everyone to understand. Where systems will be featured in detail, fish species documented, and problems discussed, it will be all things “aquaponic”. Like the discussion board, the magazine will rely heavily on input from many different people.Members have been setting up systems all over the world in all types of conditions, from icy Alaska to tropical and desert areas of the United States and Australia
We will also be drawing on other sources of aquaponics information from around the world to try and bring a truly international flavor to the information provided here. If you have an idea for a story, or you’d like to offer somesuggestions, please feel free to write to one of the magazine staff, we’re here to help create something that’s useful to everyone and we value your input. Thanks again, I hope that you find this first issue of the Backyard Aquaponics Magazine interesting and of value.

Joel Malcolm



Issue 1 Summer 2007

Backyard Aquaponics
Issue 1 • Summer 2007
Backyard Aquaponics Magazine is a quarterlypublication which aims to promote the ideas of Aquaponics and home food production coupled with healthy and sustainable living.
Contributors
Joel Malcolm, David Downing, Jaymie Rains, Stuart Haberfield, Paul Ryan, Steve Cacchione

Contents
What is Aquaponics
Getting your feet wet ....................................... 4

Magazine Enquiries
magazine@backyardaquaponics.com Editor: JoelMalcolm www.backyardaquaponics.com

Up the Garden Path
We dispel some misconceptions about aquaponics

The Nitrogen Cycle ........................................... 6

Who are We?
Backyard Aquaponics Magazine is produced in-house at Backyard Aquaponics. PO Box 3350 Success, WA 6964 Ph: (08) 9414 9334 www.backyardaquaponics.com Design & Lay-out David Kyslinger - Moonshine Graphics

In the...