IN an age of metered water consumption and increasing emphasis on natural foods, a polyethylene tank maker has created something that can assist with both pursuits.
Stephen Lane is an electrician by trade. This knowledge has allowed him to build and program rotational moulding equipment to produce polyethylene products within his Bundaberg-based factory.
His company, Bundy Tanks, has been in operation for about a year and half.
“We built the plant from scratch, so it’s a real sense of achievement,” Stephen said.
While tanks are all well and good, Stephen had the idea of simplifying the system known as aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics.
Plants, usually vegetables, are grown within a medium while feeding off the water that houses fish.
The fish produce natural nutrients within the water therefore no liquid fertilisers or supplements need to be added.
Large commercial aquaponic systems generally consist of a series of tanks containing the fish and a separate produce growing area where the water is pumped through.
The idea of being able to harvest vegetables and herbs, as well as fish, appealed to Stephen so much he hit the drawing board.
The result is a 2900mm long by 850mm deep by 950mm high polyethylene rectangular tank.
Two trays in the top of the tank provide a growing bed which is filled with a product called Expanded Clay.
This substance looks like small clay marbles but is Ph neutral which means the reticulated water will not affect the fish.
Two pipes extend over each of the growing beds, delivering the water which is pumped up via a 180W submersible pump located within the centre of the tank below.
A drain in each side ensures the growing beds are never over-saturated. The water is kept moving within the tank via jets at either end.
The fish are held within the water inside the tank.
After a six month trial and refining period, the product was put on the market about two months ago.
Stephen said while they have only just begun their marketing, word has spread already with schools taking a particular interest in the concept, along with retirees and homeowners with small yards.
Because the growing beds are positioned at waste height, owners don’t have to bend down to attend the plants or harvest them.
“It’s very good on water consumption because all it takes is the water used by the plants and some evaporation,” Stephen said.
Bundy Tanks continues to test and trial the product. Stephen’s brother has a system working in New South Wales and provides regular feedback to him.
“It’s a good learning curve,” he said. “We’re getting better at making them and tidier.”
For those just starting out, Stephen recommended using 500L of water and stocking with silver perch and perhaps some smaller feeder fish.
There is also the potential for redclaw production.
A heater can be installed within the tank which increases the species of fish that can be held.
Lettuces, snow peas, herbs and shallots have all been successfully grown within the system, while tomatoes and strawberries have been tried with varying degrees of success.
When both the fish and plants are doing their jobs properly, there is no odour from the system either.
The design means the tanks are expandable. But owners need only purchase an extra Planter Tank (another Bundy Tanks innovation where just water is stored below the growing beds) and the level of water within the aquaponic tank is increased.
Essentially, the system could be near self-sufficient, incorporating an aquaponic tank and Planter Tanks, all attached to a rainwater tank.
The tanks can be made in a variety of colours, including many of the Colorbond colours to coordinate with sheds or homes.
Without the Expanded Clay and water, a single unit weighs 100kg.
Stephen said it was important to realise the aquaponic system takes a few months to get into a cycle.
“The system doesn’t work straight away. You’ve got to have your fish in there for a while before things start moving,” he said.
“Our main goal further down the track would be to produce a commercial system which could be programmed and monitored.”
The basic aquaponics tank retails for $1950 which includes the Expanded Clay and pump.
*Visit: www.bundytanks.com.au
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