Growing your dinner in your backyard with aquaponics. Sustainably grown organic vegetables, pet fish and no weeds!
You don't have much room so it seems like a waste of time and money to start for little reward
You don't know where or how to start. There are so many choices, and you don't know if they really work.
Trying to balance work, a family and 'life' leaves you little time to care for 'another thing'
You don't have a lot of water to spare, it's become such a precious commodity, and gardening seems to waste so much water
Getting the soil health and balance right feels like a nightmare. There is so much information, and how do you know what is relevant to you
You've seen the amazing gardens out there, and know you cannot do that. It feels like a kick to the self-confidence to 'try'.
Tried gardening but everything seems to die or not grow and you can't work out what you're doing wrong
Previously, the space limitations have meant you can only grow a few herbs
Hi, I'm Candy.... My journey started 15 years ago...
When I began to get sick from all the pesticides from the 'food' I was buying. I knew I needed to find a healthy alternative which would be easy and accessible. I was also driven by my dream of becoming self-sufficient and reducing my carbon footprint.
BUT I believed the only way to do this was to live on acreage or own my own large home. Both of these options were out of the question, so I had to find another way. We had to find a solution that would work in any small space, even if renting.
This is where I discovered the wonders of aquaponics!
I could see how it was the perfect solution and could not only change my life, but the lives of others and the planet too.
But the first time I tried it, it totally tanked and I almost gave up ~ I just didn't know, what I didn't know, which caused everything to die.
This is when I decided to delve deeper.
So I went to Tafe and Uni to learn everything I could about aquatic husbandry. I knew that if I could look after the fish, then everything else would look after itself.
By creating a sustainable ecosystem in this way, everything started to work.
I became passionate about sharing this new possibility. I had to help others achieve their right to sustainable, healthy food, regardless of space. Regardless of renting and landlords. I had to make it simple and understandable even for beginners.
This is what has led me to create - Simple Courtyard Aquaponics.
The first course of it’s kind that will show you how to easily and quickly have your system up and running even with no DIY experience.
I will take you by the hand and help you learn to build a thriving system in as little as 1 afternoon.
All without soil, in a small space. We create a living ecosystem, and grow lots of food.
Are you ready have HEALTHY food right outside?
To Save Money, Time and Grow Food Easily?
Showing you how to build a small aquaponics system for your home using what you can get your hands on.
Teaching you to care for an aquaponics you build, in 5 minutes per day ~ giving you more time with your family.
Learning to build an aquaponics system, with 3 simple tools, not 'big, scary tools'
Recycle Everything
Use What You Have
Learn How To Make it Work
Keeping Aquaponics Simple
Growing Real Food for Your Family
Reduce Landfill
Save Money
Not Wasting Your Time or Money
No More Confusion
Not Just Leafy Greens
What you need (component)
Different Aquaponics Designs
How to Build
Water Quality & Filtration
The Fish Part
The Veggie Part
Caring for your Aquaponics System
Beautiful fish to look at and relax with
Giving you back the taste of real, healthy food in your space. The smell of the herbs as you brush past them.
Getting the maximum amount of veggies growing in your small space
Using less water to grow healthy, luscious veggies that you didn't think was possible.
Knowing what is on, or not on your food.
Having the convenience of walking out into your courtyard, and getting food for dinner.
Saving money by growing what you love to eat, when you didn't think you'd be able to.
Not having to worry about weeding your veggie patch, or if you have watered it enough to grow your veggies or have you fertilised recently
For those who have never used any tools before, I show you the simple tools to build your aquaponics system and how they work.
Looking at the health of the water within an aquaponics system, (through the water quality) is a similar thing. You can maintain and often prevent issues by understanding where it is at.
You get access to our exclusive Facebook support group dedicated to helping you succeed in your aquaponics journey! I know that embarking on this sustainable gardening adventure can raise questions and uncertainties along the way.
That's why I've created this community – a place where you can seek consistent support and find answers to all your aquaponics questions.
While our online course equips you with the knowledge and tools you need for success, I know that real-time guidance and support are needed. It takes time to understand how aquaponics ecosystems behave, and having support during these times helps to reduce your stress.
Our Facebook group serves as a haven for:
* sharing experiences
* exchanging ideas
* and seeking advice from fellow aquaponics enthusiasts, as well as tips and ideas.
Whether you're troubleshooting an issue, seeking feedback on your setup, or simply looking for inspiration, our community is here to offer guidance and encouragement every step of the way.
Together, we'll ensure that your aquaponics system thrives and flourishes, providing you with bountiful harvests and a sustainable gardening experience like no other.
Recycle & learn how to grow more food, in any space
something once and be good at it.
We tend to fail and give up.
We tend to fail and give up.
WITHOUT..... Wasted money, pesticides, uncertainty??
I've got you covered in this course. Everything you need to be SUCCESSFUL and learn the skills to keep building.
The Sustainable Solution for Gardening
All prices in USD
Here's What You Get....
MODULE 1:
INTRO TO aQUAPONICS
Getting you started right
Simple, structured information on where to start in planning your aquaponics system.
From site location, climate considerations, layouts, and how to identify what will work best for you and your family.
Even how to work out running costs before you start.
MODULE 2:
Creating your ecosystem
Getting the key parts right
Learning how aquaponics works as an ecosystem, and how to be successful in ongoing care for your ecosystem.
Learning about different types of filtration, as this will vary based on your design and how to create your balance in the system.
MODULE 3:
your climate & your family needs
It's all about your needs
Within this module, you need to look at your needs for the aquaponics system.
What is your climate like?
What type of veggies you want to grow, what type of fish?
What materials can you get access to?
MODULE 4:
Design Types
Design for veggies you want to grow
Within this module you will learn all about different types of designs including growbeds and gravel to ensure you have have enough filtration, and your pH is not affected, NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), DWC (Deep Water Culture), and towers.
We cover the essentials components for your aquaponics system from fish tanks to types of plumbing and how to choose a water pump.
MODULE 5:
Recycled parts
Being affordable & helping the environment
Within this module you will learn key things to consider before you scavenge and recycle.
You see some of the items I recycle, and how I repair or use them.
From piping to drums. There are ways to reduce the cost of your aquaponics system, but the key is to know what was in them previously, and how to clean them.
MODULE 6:
water quality
Making it work
Within this module you learn all about filtration, how to create an ecosystem by colonising it with bacteria, and all the common questions answered about cycling your system (nitrification cycle).
We cover pH and how it swings over time, KH (Carbonate hardness), Iron and the impact of different pH on the type of iron used, the importance of oxygen that is a common killer.
As well as the balance of how many plants.
MODULE 7:
yOUR fISH
Choosing well
Within this module you will learn all about the types of fish and how many fish you can use within this small aquaponics systems (under 500L).
Where to get the fish, how to safely add your fish to the system and not introduce diseases into the water.
Importantly, what causes disease in aquaponics, and how to know if there is a problem.
MODULE 8:
yOUR vEGGIES
Growing what you love
Within this module you will learn what veggies you can have within your Aquaponics System.
As well as how to add seedlings or seeds into your aquaponics system, and which is the best way to start.
This module includes micronutrients, common deficiencies, how to identify and manage them.
MODULE 9:
cARING FOR Y OUR SYSTEM
Making it work
Within this module you learn all about the maintenance and upkeep of your aquaponics system.
Such as, feeding your fish, how to clean your aquaponics system.
The essential water quality testing to ensure a healthy ecosystem, and the checks that you need to do to ensure it is running successfully.
MODULE 10:
aeroponics build
Example 1: Going cheap
This module will show you how to build a super cheap aeroponics tower within aquaponics, covering all elements of the build.
I even change the layout and explain why.
It covers the filtration, cutting, moulding, plumbing, pumps and every aspect to get it running.
Cheap, easy and basic.
These principles can be adapted to what you use.
MODULE 10:
Recycled aquaponicsSystem
Example 2: Everything recycled
Within this module you will watch me recycle parts to build a 'conventional' growbed design, as I repair and reuse everything.
This system, I pulled the aeroponics system apart, and repaired the tower drum to build the growbed.
Everything is recycled, or traded for.
Includes filtration, cleaning, repairing, and building.
MODULE 10:
upcycled aquaponics system
Example 3: Changing the world
This section I was challenged to build an aquaponics system with stuff that was in my garage.
Over the years I scavenge, looking for things that I can make work.
So, this is a 'bitsa' aquaponics system. A 'bit of this and bit of that'.
A bathtub, various sized PVC piping, irrigation plumbing, a holey plastic hydroponics tub and gravel. You even get to see me build a PVC garden tower that I use as a wicking tower in this system.
"I thought I was too old to garden.
Candy introduced me to a new way of gardening where I didn't have to bend, it was easy to care for and provided hours of entertainment watching the fish.
Even in my golden years, I could grow healthy food and the other residents enjoyed being able to watch the fish". Marg R
"Who knew that even renting in this tiny unit that my partner and I could grow our own food.
Candy broke down into simple steps and taught us how to build and look after a small aquaponics system.
We had heard of aquaponics in our permaculture course, and as we only saw large aquaponics setups we didn't think it was possible.
Now, thanks to Candy making it easy, we have healthy vegetables growing in the tiny, cement area". Rachel L
“I hate the smell of fish and was worried that this is what our food would taste like. After tasting the veg from Candy’s system we gave it a go.
There is such a difference in taste between the food grown in our little aquaponics system and the veg at the store.
It tastes real again. Like my grandma veg from the garden. You just don’t realise the taste difference with food now.
We are going bigger and never going back to the store veg”. Alice L
Getting the most out of the space you have to grow healthy food can feel like an art. And you're right. It is. In this course you learn how you can do that.
Imagine having the healthy food you want, right out back. No need to pack up the kids to go shopping, or drive somewhere.
What if you could learn how to grow veggies 4 times faster in your home than any soil garden or container garden?
Soil gardening is often so time consuming, if you have the space. Needing to constantly turn the compost to make the soil, dig it in. Pull the weeds. Add the fertiliser and remember to water it enough and regularly.
But what if you didn't have to do all that, and still could have a healthy, flourishing food garden?
Your Urban Aquaponics system takes care of the watering and fertilising for you. No soil, no dirty hands, but lot of heathy, organic veggies in your small space.
We've all heard that gardening is great to help you relax. It's now a common first 'prescription' from doctors for the treatment of stress, anxiety and depression. It helps you to be present, and calm your mind.
Aquaponics system takes this a step further helping you to relax. The gentle sound of the water flowing helps to soothe your soul and find your inner balance again.
The sense of achievement and confidence you get from watching your seeds germinate, the seedlings sprout and seeing the final vegetable in front of you, ready to harvest. You did that! You grew that!
Imagine walking out into your backyard and smelling the abundant fresh herbs by your door that you need for dinner.
Healthy, delicious, veggies and herbs at your finger tips.
Grown 4 times faster than the soil gardening, and growing more in small spaces. That means growing more veggies with aquaponics, than any soil garden, and much more than containers.
The key difference, in the soil the veggies are reliant on the nutrients in the soil, the fertiliser you have to remember to add.
In Aquaponics systems, the veggies have CONSTANT water and nutrients. They are in heaven, as are you with their taste.
In this online, self paced course I will take you by the hand and show you exactly what to do in simple, easy steps to create the harvest of your dreams. You will learn how to create a sustainable, successful aquaponics system that you can built in as little as one afternoon.
The course covers all you need to know to build and maintain a thriving system, with the result of an abundance of healthy veggies, even if:
You are an absolute beginner to gardening. Feel you are a 'plant killer' or you have never built a thing in your life.
My dream, is to empower you to have healthy food, easily in any space.
In this online, self paced course I will take you by the hand and show you exactly what to do in simple, easy steps to create the harvest of your dreams. You will learn how to create a sustainable, successful aquaponics system that you can built in as little as one afternoon.
The course covers all you need to know to build and maintain a thriving system, with the result of an abundance of healthy veggies, even if:
You are an absolute beginner to gardening. Feel you are a 'plant killer' or you have never built a thing in your life.
My dream, is to empower you to have healthy food, easily in any space.
on the 30th of November 2021
on the 30th November - 10 am NZT / 29th Nov - 4pm EST
will be on Tue 7th December - 10am NZT / Mon 6th December - 4pm EST
All trainings will be at the same time.
The Program will finish on the 11th of March
All sessions will be recorded and the recording will be available in the membership area within 24 hrs of the call ending
In May 2021, I came across Colleen and instantly knew that she was doing things that I didn’t know how to do.
Her social media presence was incredible, her marketing was spot on and she was mastering ClickFunnels and other platforms that I too wanted to learn how to master.
If you want to have growth, you need to seek out those people who are doing and achieving what you want to achieve.
There is no point going it alone. Why go through pain and take twice as long to get something done when you can have someone show you the way.🥰💪
Anyway, I entered Colleen’s world and although I wanted to book onto her mastermind I couldn’t afford it.
My business was not yet in a space to justify spending that much money on coaching. But I knew I needed it.
So I booked a strategy session in with her. That one strategy session helped me fix problems with my funnel of a product I was about to launch but it did more than that...
It confirmed to me that I needed her help and I needed to step up and make it happen.
I continued to have strategy sessions with Colleen but I knew I needed more and so after attending a mini-workshop, I decided I needed to join her Mastermind. (This was just 3 weeks ago, by the way!)
Again, I wasn’t sure my business was ready, but every time I back myself, the universe responds with sending me more clients.
So I share this with you now because, every time I invest in myself, every time I say universe I’m backing myself with getting the support and training I need, the universe responds with an acceleration and growth of both myself personally and my business.🥰
I’m so happy I took the leap of faith and booked with Colleen.
- Hayley - South Australia
“I tried building aquaponics system from YouTube. It lasted 6 months and everything died.
Candy’s right, you don’t know what you don’t know. So many opinions, and how do you know if they are right?
Candy teaches easy ways to understand.
Not just telling you to do something, but why.
This made the difference as now I can pre-empt issues. I know why I need things”. Lochlan J
“I couldn’t get anything to grow in the soil.
Everything died. Learning about aquaponics from Candy made it so much easier, and I no longer consider myself a black thumb.
I am growing food. Me.
My parents couldn’t believe it."
Rosy T
.
“We’ve been wanting to start aquaponics for years but didn’t have the money to waste if we got it wrong.
Having built Candy’s little courtyard, we now have the confidence that we can add onto this one and go bigger.
It seems so complicated and I’m glad we started small and now the whole family has the confidence we can do this”.
George R
Hi, I'm Candy.... My journey started 15 years ago...
When I began to get sick from all the pesticides from the 'food' I was buying. I knew I needed to find a healthy alternative which would be easy and accessible. I was also driven by my dream of becoming self-sufficient and reducing my carbon footprint.
BUT I believed the only way to do this was to live on acreage or own my own large home. Both of these options were out of the question, so I had to find another way. We had to find a solution that would work in any small space, even if renting.
This is where I discovered the wonders of aquaponics!
I could see how it was the perfect solution and could not only change my life, but the lives of others and the planet too.
But the first time I tried it, it totally tanked and I almost gave up ~ I just didn't know, what I didn't know, which caused everything to die.
This is when I decided to delve deeper.
So I went to Tafe and Uni to learn everything I could about aquatic husbandry. I knew that if I could look after the fish, then everything else would look after itself.
By creating a sustainable ecosystem in this way, everything started to work.
I became passionate about sharing this new possibility. I had to help others achieve their right to sustainable, healthy food, regardless of space. Regardless of renting and landlords. I had to make it simple and understandable even for beginners.
This is what has led me to create - Simple Courtyard Aquaponics.
The first course of it’s kind that will show you how to easily and quickly have your system up and running even with no DIY experience.
I will take you by the hand and help you learn to build a thriving system in as little as 1 afternoon.
The Sustainable Solution for Gardening
All prices in USD
Some DIY experience and practical skills are recommended for this course. This course shows you how to build your skills, and learn about aquaponics so you can create an aquaponics system that suits your needs.
If you need a simple, step-by-step blueprint, then the Simple Courtyard Aquaponics System is for you.
This course is delivered online, and is self paced. This means that you can login and go through the course when you have time, when it suits you. The modules are structured in a way that helps you understand how aquaponics works, what components are needed, different types of designs and how you can use recycled materials to create your own aquaponics system
The best part is that these skills are transferable, and once you get a feel for how aquaponics works, and you are ready to expand, you will have the confidence to do so.
This course shows how to build small, urban sized aquaponics systems under 500L (132G). While the skillset and knowledge is transferable, I encourage you to build small scale to get used to how it works. However, this is your choice.
This course shows how to make 3 recycled aquaponics systems under 500L.
Within this course everything I use is recycled, or traded. The only new items are the pumps, as I want the warranty that comes with a new water pump.
This course show you how you can upcycle, and think outside the box to reduce the costs. They can easily be built for under $100.
Anything you start in life has an upfront cost, including soil gardening. The difference with aquaponics, is that you can easily calculate the ongoing costs, whereas soil gardening you cannot.
When someone says they spend X amount on building an aquaponics system, you are investing long term on your health. It is not just growing 'leafy greens', rather you can grow all your veggies in aquaponics with the right design. A system that lasts years, and doesn't require yearly soil costs (if you cannot generate your own).
You are growing organic food, you know what is NOT on your food. The question really is, is your good health worth it?
This will depend on what you use within your aquaponics system. The 3 examples I give you are approx 1.5m wide, 0.6m deep and the system itself is 1m high ~ plus the height of the veggies.
They are perfect for small spaces. I have mine right outside my front door and it is the perfect way to start a herb garden easily.
Under 500L (132G) are small systems, perfect for the urban gardener.
A common mis-conception is that YouTube gives you all the answers. It doesn't, and you never know who you are getting the information from.
Will it last, and is it right.
I have formal training in aquaculture as well as work in commercial aquaculture and aquaponics, plus 15 years backyard aquaponics experience.
I don't know everything, but I do know a lot.
Building an aquaponics system is fairly easy and yes, you can pick that up on YouTube with enough research.
BUT, understanding how it runs, how to interpret the water quality results, prevent fish stress and disease, understanding the balance of the system, and learning from someone who understands that every climate is different, every system is different, and how people look after things are different.
This is the knowledge you are paying for. How to get it right, the first time.
This course shows you how to build under 500L (132G) systems, and while the knowledge and skills are transferable, it is easier to start with some type of goldfish and a small aquaponics system to get used to the flow of how it works.
Once you are confident in caring for your system, you will have the knowledge and skills to expand into an edible fish system easily.
3 out of 4 aquaponics systems fail due to people trying to build large aquaponics systems with edible fish (according to several Australian hatcheries), and they don't understand the fundamentals on how to care for the system and the fish.
This course teaches you how to care for the fish and system, on a small scale with minimal investment, rather than the larger systems that costs thousands of dollars to learn on.
You can grow any type of freshwater within aquaponics, and you don't have to eat them. I personally grow Silver Perch and Eel-tailed catfish, and they are my pets, not food. I also grow a variety of smaller 'goldfish' in my smaller aquaponics systems.
I keep them as pets, and use their poop to grow my veggies.
Because I care.
I have 15 years experience in backyard aquaponics, 4 years formal training in aquaculture (and commercial experience in aquaponics and aquaculture). I understand aquatic health, and my passion is to break aquaponics down into simple steps so everyone can understand and grow healthy food for themselves.
I want you to be the person who succeeds. To have healthy food, and to care for your fish ethically.
As with anything in this world, there are countries and people who are not ethical. They crowd the fish 'high stocking density', and this is unhealthy for the fish.
With ethical stocking, and caring for their wellbeing and water quality, you are looking after the fish and giving them a good life, one that isn't based on fear of being eaten by predators in the wild.
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