Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well since last writing I have decided to upgrade my system (that I've built for a friend, who by now thinks I don't what I'm doing, I'm sure) since Iv'e had lots of problems.

Firstly I had a nightmarish time trying to get the siphon to break its cycle. And I hope this may help others, i'll explain what the problem was.

The siphon would start and then just keep running, off course I thought it was a flow thing that I just had to manipulate,turns out it was that underneath the IBC attached to the stand pipe which was secured by way of bulk head fittings I had a threaded elbow both ends and connected to that I had a bout a 7 inch length of 25mm pipe with no elbow. When I removed the extension and cut it down to about an inch and attached a elbow at that end, hey presto the siphon worked. It now empties every 14 minutes and takes 6 minutes to drain so three cycles an hour or there abouts. I think this is good?

I have a 3900 LPH pump so I have two taps, 1 going to the siphon and the other simply returning to the tank to dissolve oxygen and aerate the water.

I added the water from the old system and the 25 KG clay pebbles to boost the nitrogen cycle along and have added some worm casting juice.

Tested the levels yesterday (after say 1 week of running) and they were as follows
PH = 7.4 Ammonia 0.25 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5

So the issues I have as will be seen in pics are what I need assistance with if possible please

1 see the gunk on the bottom of the tank. Well how do I siphon that out? I dont want at this stage to build a SLO or similar, can I vacuum it some how. If I filed a hose and run it across the bottom of the tank, my thinking was that I'd waste water and that the hose would have to be lower that the bottom of the IBC

2 Plants look a bit unhealthy. Is this is lack of iron, Or some pest problem? The setup is one street back from the ocean so could salt air be playing a part in any of this?


3 The white build up on the expanded clay pebbles? Again is this a salt build up or something else?

4 If the salt is affecting water and or plants what action can I take?

Maybe my friend is right, I don't know what I'm doing. LOL

Its all a good learning curve

Thanks in advance
Ozy Rod

The salt on your balls is probably caused by having the water level too high in the bed.

The gunk will probably clear once you have reasobnable size fish swimming around to stir it up, but there is a device some people us to suck that stuff out. I think it is similar to this one, but I am sure someone will be along to point out the one they use.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/aquapro-lit ... e_p4813072

Hi,

You can vacuum the bottom of your tank with a hose. The output doesn't have to be lower than the bottom the tank, but lower than the water surface (principle of communicating vessels).
To avoid wasting water, put the water you vacuum in a watering can and let it settle for a couple of hours. Then you can put back the clean water back into the system.

About plant health, i think you need to provide larger & better photos of the leaves & whole plants so that we can troubleshoot the problems.

Ok Thanks for the advice, have vacuumed bottom of tank this morning and is looking much better. Here (hopefully ) are some close up of the plants. They may have just got a little stressed from the move?

It takes time to build up a nutrient base

New systems are low on potassium , iron , magnesium , calcium and of course all the trace elements

Put some "Seasol" in with nitrate you will be able to grow simple greens straight away

Fruiting plants will need more if you want grow them at the start

Its like trying to grow a tomato in a gravel driveway there is nothing there to support it in the beginning

I would foliar spray iron as soon as possible

Quality fish feed and a bit of supplement nutrition added as required depending on what your growing

Just a quick question if someone can help please
Recall that I imported an already cycled grow bed matter and water to my new 700 litre system. Its been running for two weeks

Todays water test results are
PH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0 to 5.0 ppm

So Is my tank ready for some occupants? And if I add them then wont the ammonia immediately rise (to toxic levels) merely by their presence?
What am I not understanding?