Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have been watching them. I don't think I would use a heavier media. Hydroton only.

Nitrites are down to under .25 ppm tonight. I think there might be something to Precycling...

+1 for indoor systems! I have my tilapia in the formerly pleco-powered bedroom system now, and highly recommend using an aquarium for better viewing. They're a lot of fun to watch! Their coloring, especially the males when they are in "the mood," and their nest-building and courting activities are really interesting.

I'm really wanting to reconfigure the indoor system with floor-standing shelves instead of wall-mount, so I can have more growing space, and maybe put some edible stuff in there instead of just houseplants.

Is your system runing continuously? how many gallons capacity is your bottom tub (where I assume the fish are?) I am thinking of trying something about this size for my first foray into AP and I am nervous about it overflowing as I am going to try this indoors.

Yes it runs continuously. The bottom tub is 27 gallons. Since I run the beds constant flood, the water level does not fluctuate much. The water level just drops due to evaporation.

How's this system doing Ron? It's been about 6 months since you posted.

Like many indoor systems, it needs more light. Ginger is doing well, catnip is surviving, and there is a basil plant that is kinda hanging on. I have killed a lot of lettuce. The seed starting mat at the bottom works well.

What do you use to obtain the parameters of your water?

API freshwater master test kit, and a $30 digital ph meter, because I got sick of trying to read the ph solutions in the kit.

I just started testing the water, using the API kit. It's kind of fun, but I can see where it would get old. I'm also going to look into some digital or automated test equipment. Any suggestions?

About the only affordable digital testers are for ph. Hydro shops will sell you all kinds of digital testers, but they are not really important for Aquaponics. Once you are cycled, ph is about all you really need to check up on. So for ease, just stick with the API kit until a little while after you are fully cycled.

Thank you sir, I will do.

How did that precycling work out for you? I'm about to get my second system online and wondering if it is worth the time to do it with mine as well.

Ehhh. They hydroton caused the ph to be low in the indoor system. That made cycling tough. I have to say I prefer scoria. Next time I will use that. Perhaps Precycling will work better then.

Okay, so the lack of light issue has been solved! I had some spending cash, so I bought 3 Taotronics 50w led grow lights. They rock. For the first time I see what non leggy seedlings look like. I think I will also be successful with lettuce. The plants that were just kind of hanging on are now greener and starting new leaves. I have started bringing in the outside pepper plants that are looking affected by the weather, and trimming them down. The ones that I have caught early enough are already back budding.