Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi!

This is almost embarrassing but I wanted to share some photos of my system that I have had running passively for about 4 months and pretty much nothing has happened grow wise, so I wanted to know if you could help my diagnose my obviously many problems.

The plants were planted directly in the media about 4 months ago and pretty much stopped growing. I experimented with paper cups of soil for the cabbage which you see in the back.

The water's ph is around 8 I think - due to the large quantity of carbonates in our water, so I was thinking to get some pond water instead nearby - I was also thinking this is contributing to an iron deficiency.

The other thing I suspect is that my drain height and siphon height need to be changed.

There is a pump that goes on fifteen minutes every hour or so, powered by the battery connected to the solar panels and there is also a filter in the fish tank in an effort to clear up the water which hasn't really helped at all.

The fish seem pretty good though.

No idea what I am doing





Nice bunch of algae growing everywhere



Power source - not a problem



crystal clear water!



sediment around the growing tray



Flourishing plants!



water enters from top - and then drains through a bell siphon







Thanks!

To me it looks like the clear plastic tubs are letting the solar rays feed the algae.

the algae will consume all your nutrients. I would cover everything besides the plants in black plastic or something to keep the sun off.

did you do the vinegar test on the rocks, they look limestoney?

Hey there,
No1: get a test kit which gives you the ability to measure Nitrites, Nitrates, pH amongst other things which give you an idea of what is happening.
No.2 The system is in full sun. Hence the algae. Shade it.
No.3 Do not use soil. It upsets the natural balance of the system. Diseases, fungi, biological parameters that hurt both fish and plants. The gravel media you have is your "soil".
No4: If your plants aren't thriving, you don't have enough fish to provide nutrient or your water level in the grow beds is too low or you have planted too high for the level obtained by your auto-siphon etc.
N05: Never give up!

Cheers IanK

Thanks! I will try with the new info and update