Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Chris,

What dose are you using for the Maxicrop plus iron and how often are you applying it? I know you were having an iron deficiency problem before but don't forget about the part where I suggested checking the iron concentration you were using (a couple pages back). The sunken areas on the lower leaves back then, matched the areas where the iron droplets were.

I mix 1 tsp maxicrop to 24 oz of ap water.

Close enough, how often are you spraying?

daily

Finally got some baby tomatoes!!

Yay tomatoes!

Chris; here's an info graphic I found on Google a few days ago that may be helpful to you, and others.




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Very nice.

thanks thsdragon.

Chris, congrats on the tomatoes! How is the PH doing this year?

Chris,

Everything looks awesome! Congrats on the tomatoes.

What are your thoughts so far on your light? I'm thinking about purchasing the same one for my indoor system?

-Tyler

With the yellowish new growth it's still looking like an iron deficiency on the tomatoes Chris. From what you told me earlier they should be getting enough iron but the frequency of spraying was way too often. I don't think you should have to apply it more than once a week and it makes me wonder if this form of iron is doing any good especially since you are getting sunken areas on the leaves where you've applied it. I think those are a chemical burn/toxin reaction (maybe something in the water you use to dilute it or the Maxicrop itself). I think you would be wise to get some EDDHA iron chelate to add to the system water instead. The EDDHA form of chelated iron is available at the high pH you're running in your system. I don't remember the dose so do a search for the EDDHA dose here on BYAP. If you overdo it on the EDDHA your water will change colors enough to make the API tests hard to read (if you do it right that shouldn't be a problem).

Any updates Chris?

hey trc, sorry it took me so long, been super busy. my system... got a huge rain few months back and washed out my supports for grow beds, I had to remove my settlement tank. but didn't mess anything else up. with the settlement tank gone, denitrification (I believe this is the process where nutrients are broke done) began and my PH dropped to neutral, root block gone plants began to take what they needed from the roots, I planted 4 tomatoesbut had to remove all but 1. the length of the one plant runner was over 8 ft long and produced over 60 tomatoes closer to 90 I think. I call it one plant because it was one seed however four sprouts came from it and it was huge. now it's getting warmer and this plant is all but done. also produced loads of lettuce and spinach, I currently have beans and water melons planted. we are in the process of buying a better home with more room so I'm kinda slowing down the system for now.OH YEA I should've paid more attention to everyone telling of the tomatoe roots taking over because they did, I kept having to break off roots around the center drain to keep from overflowing which happened several times. my next system will be bigger, I have had some success with hoop houses made with pvc pipe but the plastic didn't last, now I have found a greenhouse grade cover allows 70% uv and it's uv and dust protected, 55$ for 200 sq ft.

Good news Chris.

I have enjoyed reading about your AP system and I'm looking forward to seeing the new improved version.