Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

got enough barrels there

Those barrels were at the warehouse

Here is some pics of an idea I've got for seedling raising. I would put coarse sand in and just throw seeds in - harvesting baby seedlings or micro greens.

Initially I thought of 4 trays that were removable - but then pipe work ....


So maybe this design with a T running off the main input and then down to 13mm irrigation and taps.
Water would fall straight down through the lid.


But now I'm in two minds - the tray idea would be good for removal - I would need a cheap small standpipe idea - even without a media guard? Ideas?

I recommend getting some capillary matting, and starting seeds with seed starting soil in seed starters placed on top of capillary matting. Last year I was all like, will I have enough plants? This year I am all like, where am I going to put all of these plants?

Thanks - I've got a 2 tray wide heat tray with matting also which I was thinking of putting next that those black tubs.

Maybe I'll just use them as micro greens or short growing plants.

I experimented with using AP water to wick up to seedling, though was never happy with the way the seeds grew. They would get one root down into the moisture and that would grow long, leaving a poorly formed root ball. Have now reverted to raising seeds in seed raising mix in trays that have the bottom exposed to air to encourage air pruning and better root balls. Seems to work. I now use the F&D area for microgreens like sunflower shoots.

Also I don't think high nitrogen water is the best nutrient profile for seedlings.

I've been racking my brain to come up with a seed starting method that is automatic moisture/heat controlled. Capillary mats gave me algae/damp off problems, top watering=damp off. Bottom watering by setting trays/pots in water to wick and taking them back out worked the best but takes too long. Babysitting seedlings is a fun way to start the season until you get 300 plus.

I been working on a rack system idea. A thermostatic controlled germination chamber with 100% humidity at the bottom. Once germinated they move up to light/temp controlled/auto watering area. Next would be an up-potted area. Just like the big producers do but in a compact area.

Or we could just let Jay figure it out for us.

Perhaps some citric acid sprinkled on the top of the soil might help with the damping off... I think I might try it.

I have been using 1 to 10 hydrogen peroxide/water spray. It works great and hasn't affected any seedlings.

That ratio, is it with an already diluted bottle of hydrogen peroxide? ( what you but at any regular store)

3% like you by in the store. I eased into it spraying around my onion seedlings. They take forever and algae was forming. Cleared it right up. I got more ambitious with it around other seedlings with not ill effect.

I'm going to try floating rafts.

Is this enough water movement?

Do you put the raft right on top of the water? or can there be a gap.


Sump tank lid finally finished


Whoops - either I've overfed or the 2 new growbeds are in the middle of cycling

Jay you can do either,with the gap the air bubbles create a water mist in this area,without the gap its better to have a good strong air flow to aerate the water,turnover can be anywhere between once to ten times per hour,once or once every two hours seems to get the best results.

Thanks - plenty of air with the 2 air stones - just not a massive flow - but its only a small area

See the flow coming in? that would definitely fill that container in an hour I would imagine.
Thanks dasboot

Hooked up my NFT tube today - having problems with siphoning and levels - I think I need more than 13mm outlet and not one piece to the sump - as in a broken pipe so no siphon.
Iceman showed me some pics.

Looking pretty good!

Was the kid on the lid in case it fell through?

Hey Columnmn nice name

Yeah the idea with the lid was to create an outdoor sitting space