Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello,
I have used this site to start my system, and have just registered in order to ask questions and possibly share some knowlege. I love gardening and have enetered the rabbit hole of aquaponics. I will post some pics and ask few questions maybe.

Here is what I'm proud of.

I recived a free IBC. Not sure what it had in it, but it didn't smell like solvents, so i soaked it with oxy clean and boiling water. I'm a home brewer, so the boiling water was easy.

I used 1/2 inch Granite chips that I got for $25 for 1/2 yard. They were a pain to wash, but worth it for the price.

I purchased 15 comet goldfish for $.25 a piece. Cycling with fish is my plan for inatnt gratification.

I bought a few basil plants, and a bunch of lettuce seeds.

I inoculated the tank with the used filter pad from my indoor aquarium and about 15 gallons of water from it.

I already had a timer that only goes down to 30 minute increments, so I do 30/30 flood and drain

I am going to clad the IBC with sheet metal instead of painting it.

I have had one fish death in 5 days, and I am inclined to chalk that up to being a dud from the fish store.

Someday whan I really get things going, I will buy some Tilapia, or break the law and catch some from the local river.

I used peat pellets to start some seeds. I think this was a mistake, because they stay too wet. I broadcasted lettuce seeds throughout the bed, and can see a few srpouts. I also have placed red malabar seedlings that have potential to take over.

I chopped the IBC a little differently for my needs, but am happy with it so far.

Bump.

that looks like a great start, looking forward to watching your journey.

I am having fun with seed germination. I was sceptical about direct seeding, but I tossed a few seeds anyway. Seems to work better the peat pods.
Is there a thread about how much seaweed extract to use? I have seen a few people even say that it shouldn't be used. It seems that it will help me at least while I cycle. I can't figure out how much of the following product to use in my system. Its Medina Brand Seaweed and I posted a picture below. It says 0-0-1 and 1 oz per gallon for adding to soil. Any advice?

I started going through my phone and wanted to share a few other photos of my place. The grow bags are sewn by yours truely from comercial grade weed barrier. Between the 50/50 coco coir and perlite mix, air prunning, and chicken manure fertalizer, I get great yeild. Its a lot of watering though. I can't wait to get wicking barrels set up.

All looking good

Fantastic growth in your grow bags, they're a definite winner

On your seaweed extract, you won't need a lot while your seedlings are small, 1 or 2 capfuls per week should do it.

You'll need to feed your fish with pellets that have a bit of protein, Goldfish flakes will be no help at all for your plants. Your plant growth comes from the fish waste and flakes have very little or no protein.


Proteins are import for your pet goldfish. Goldfish require protein for growth and development. Make sure you adjust the amount of protein for your pet's age. Younger fish need a greater portion of protein in their life; about 45 percent of their diet should be protein. Older fish require a smaller portion of protein in their diet, around 30 percent.

I feed my Goldfish the exact same fish feed as I feed my Rainbow Trout, it's about 45 percent protien, and I use floating pellets so I can remove any feed that's not been eaten. That way it doesn't foul the water, there's never any left over food that needs removing I feed them just enough to keep them happy.

I always like to seed the growbeds directly...

Thanks!

tpaine84 - Welcome from the Austin area. Your tomato plants look great.



Thanks for this advice. My goldfish are growing but not all plants thriving. I'll switch to pellets for more meals.

I got pellets, but it seems that some of the fish are still to small to eat them. They are small pellets too. I just add both flakes and pellets for now.

I got ahold of some cedar fence and did some rough cladding. I'm pretty happy with the result. Dirilling the IBC frame and screwing sheet matal screws to it was a little nerve racking, but I didn't slip once. Its been about two weeks since I added 15 goldies. 3 died within the first week, but none since and they all seem happy. Almost time for me to buy a water test kit. I have to be frugal when it comes to spending money on hobbies.

Things are starting to grow fast. Its hard to keep up with this forum with all the projects I have going on. Its amazing how self contained and low maintenance these systems can be.