Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I do have a rain water tank, water is at PH 6.6. When I filled the FT I used tap water PH 8.2. I've added roughly 50L of rain water and it's come down to 8.0, so if I do a water change and use rain water to fill back up will it eventually even out in the mid 7s?
I've searched the forum about the deficiencies and I've put a banana peel in the GB and added half a tsp of iron chelat. Hopefully I'll see improvement over the next few days/week. Duckweed is growing great (thanks again) probably 5-6 times the amount you've gave me now.

Gb's look like they have a wet surface, how far below the surface is the water?
You might like to get some Eco fungicide before that powdery mildew takes over. (Last photo.)

Impressive first system, JaMa88: well done!

The 'white fuzz' on the zucchini is probably powdery mildew, which affects a lot of cucurbits. This may mean that plant is getting too wet.

The slight upward curl and brittleness of the pumpkin leaf edges, combined with chlorosis on the edges of older leaves, may be an indicator of a magnesium deficiency.

Perhaps you could treat your plants as though everything is deficient (except N - it seems ok) and then you will have the problem covered.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply PLJ, I added chelate iron and banana peels to the system a few days ago. I thought my water level in the GB might have been too high so I lowered my standpipe today by about 1cm, hopefully will fix that issue. I was going to go get some eco fungicide tomorrow, might pick up some magnesium supplement.

Hey guys, been a few weeks so I thought I'd post an update on the system.

Been 6 weeks since I planted. Growth is good, first time planting veggies and probably should of planted less because it feels like the GB has become to crowded but in saying that I have got the OK to expand/move my system to add more GBs
Rockmelon is growing well, I've tried to train it to grow over the side and it seems to be working alright. Had a look this morning and I seen my first little female flower, hasn't fully flowered yet so hopefully tomorrow or Sunday it will, then I can make some plant porn

over the past few days i have noticed this around the growbed

any ideas what it could be

Also bought a KP mango tree and a dward orange navel tree. Both are still in original pots, I have holidays from work mid to late Jan and I'm planning on getting another IBC to cut into 2 more GBs and 2 blue barrels for the fruit trees. Also plan on burying the FT so hopefully it won't be too hot. I'll be sure to take pictures as i go

Can't wait to grow my own mangoes (I'll do the best I can in Adelaide weather)


The missus is keen on the oranges.

Looking great

Decided to make a move!

This space under the pergola receives about 5 hours of sun a day as it moves across the sky, we could never really get anything to grow there after a few attempts. The soil is sand/clay mix. So a perfect place to move the AP system.
Got a mate to help me dig the hole. Digging holes is hard work!

Even my daughter decided she would help out!

The FT is the hole! My 6 little goldies enjoying the new environment. Plan on getting 25 silver perch end of January. Can't wait!

Gave the GB a bit of a trim. Took some of the small plants out and used an old esky (drilled some holes in the bottom/side and filled with potting mix), want to see how they go in the dirt.

Made a cover for the FT with some spare fencing I had. Got to keep the family/pets safe

Good move burying the tank. Will help with temp swings.

I feel ya pain digging that hole. If your soil is the same as mine, no doubt it is.

The first 30cm is easy, then it gets really really hard.

Did you end up getting some Silvers? I'm looking at getting some now, just need someone to go halves in.