Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My friend came over tonight to help me test the system. I shoved the tubing onto the end of the filter/pump and looking at her said "ok plug it in". Immediately noticing that she is holding the business end of the tube. Wishing I would have gotten her a drain bucket before we tested that. Well it worked! Turtle water in her face, my floor, legs, everywhere. Very good start.

We started by seeing how long it took to fill the small shoebox size GB I decided to start out with. I think I'm a little confused about how to do this so try not to mock too roughly. But I drilled holes in the bottom of my growbed. Then we were testing to see if it would fill up and level off at 1 inch below the top before draining out the bottom.

Eventually we drilled several overflow holes below the 1 inch mark.

So pump comes on, gb fills (even though its draining at the same time). Water reaches desired height of 1 inch below top of media, then drains out the overflow holes back into aquarium like a peeing fountain. After pump shuts off rest of water quickly drains from the holes in the bottom of gb. 15 mins on, 45 off 24/7.

I feel like this is too simple or something. Everyone else is using siphons, and valves and more tubes!

I need reassurance!!!

So now I run it for how long before planting?
How quickly will ammonia start to build up?

The way you are doing it is great You have everything right.

Ammonia will show up relatively quickly, so keep an eye on it and be prepared to do water changes.

Plant straight away - they wont die, but wont grow much either for around 1 month, then it will take off.

Previous page question about the solids - they end up in the growbed, where they break down, or are digested by worms. Add some worms to get them started if you can.

NO COPPER AT ALL.

Your turtle tank looks great!

You have achieved exactly what is required without all of the siphons, valves and tubes.

WELL DONE, I love it !!

Ok ok, I took all the pennies out. All fine now.

I put the whole thing together tonight and placed the plants in. I'm so happy about how it looks.

Loving Aquaponics!!!!

Day 4 with turtles in water, no aquaponics yet
Test results.
ph 7.1 Ammonia .10 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 5.0 75 degrees

Pity about the splashes on the glass though

The turtles seem to like the waterfall into the aquarium. I don't mind the splashes at all.

top of the hour to 15 after is my new favorite time of the day

Will the fact that my GB container is see through be a problem for the bacteria since they are light sensitive.

Hi kpickles
I was wondering what the top ramp platform is made of, its not too easy to tell from the photo, is it foam board?

It is an uncut tile. It fit almost perfectly.

You did a nice job of recycling, it looks great.
I wouldn`t worry too much about the light getting into the bed as theres plenty of hydroton to hide in. You could put a black cloth or something similar around it.

Looks super!

Ya done good!!!!!

Timer and holes/overflows are a very proper way to do aquaponics. And you even used the pump to experience getting wet the way most people do while tinkering with syphons so you even got that part right

The clear grow bed will probably become a bit unsightly as algae will grow in there. You might just put something around it to block light and make it look nicer but you should be ok either way.

You may find over time that the small grow bed isn't enough to handle all the solids the turtle produce, in which case you will have to figure out how to add more grow bed.

Any solids that don't get sucked up by the pump will slowly rot in place. They may not be nearly so bad for turtle as it can be for fish since turtles surface to breath. Rotting solids in a fish tank can create anaerobic conditions that cause nasty odors and unsightly water. If you notice this happening, you just need to occasionally clean out those gunky areas or arrange the pump so that it manages to suck out more of the solids.

Good luck and keep up the progress pictures!

ditto.

I've read through your thread and didn't see answers to a few questions:

Is the air pump only for the critters, or is it also for the plants oxygen needs.
>the air will help the critters. The flood/drain in the gravel is like breathing and gives the roots more air than they would get in soil.

So now I run it for how long before planting?
>You can and should plant now, as you have done, but the plants will do better and better as solids break down and nitrates build up. Expect iron deficiencies for the first few/several months. Foliar sprays will help: make sure to get fish-safe ones. Max-crop or something like that has been mentioned.

How quickly will ammonia start to build up?
>Depends on volume of water, feed rates, stocking rates, temperatures, etc. It can get dangerous in hours or not for weeks depending on stocking rates..... Typically the next several weeks will be a little hairy with water changes, ammonia, and nitrites, finally getting to the safe haven of nitrate production. And yes, the good bacteria will get everywhere and grow wherever a surface is suitable....which is just about everywhere.

Will the fact that my GB container is see through be a problem for the bacteria since they are light sensitive.
>As TcL implied, algae will grow where there is light, shading the rest of the gravel.

Nice system!

I'm sharing the shoebox size growbed experience with ya! How has your system been for the past month?