Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Have to say that the bucket idea is a pain in the ass. My constant flood standpipes where stuck in the bulk heads from very fine grit from the granite. trying to pull them out the nut on the bulk head started to loosen and spin when I was twisting the standpipe. I know that these where not that loose to begin with but messing with that bucket must have loosened them enough to just have everything go to hell. I had to cut one drain pipe to make room to tighten the nut. Pulling the other one out did the same thing as the first and was able to retighten the nut with out making room. The frame joists is about 8"oc and hard to work in with a pipe wrench.

I do have to say that it was a bit interesting/ scary. 3,000+ pounds of media and water above me as I'm on my back in the mud working on that damn thing.

The weight for the granite is about 2,600 per yard and I have 30 cubic feet in those two beds.

Removed the bucket completely. Had a issue with trying to do a bell siphon. The bell floated instead of starting a siphon and I lost maybe 60-80 gallons of water. No issues now other than flow needs to be adjusted in one side due to a fairly loud slurping sound of one trying to stop. You can hear it a good 50ft away.

I also got 3 blue cats to go in the tank. I'm going to try and exchange some of the larger comet goldfish with a few more cats tomorrow. I would have tried a exchange today, but I thought their exchanges where over in May at the local pond shop.

That sucks about the rain messing with your GB pylons. we just finished with a super long streak ourselves (I think my wife said it was like 17 days?? I don't think it was that long though...). Either way, nice choice in grow media, granite is super pretty! Though not the nicest to the hands......

I traded in 7 of the goldfish that I could catch and got $29.18 in store credit. Not bad for year and a half old $0.15 goldfish.

I went with more fruiting plants. five tomatoes, one Tabasco, one jalapeno, six strawberry. Lettuce can go everywhere else.

I'm down to just the three cats and about 5-6 goldfish. One goldfish is white the another grey so my count goes off unless I can take a picture then count.

Hey I'm moving to Florissant in July. Do you mind telling me where you go for all your AP supplies. I'm new to the area, AP, and frankly new to having fish so I have no idea where to go. All I've found so far is a hydroponics store called Worms Way.

I used Hydroton for my indoor system that I got from Worms Way. Outdoor media is granite from a locally landscape supply.

Bulkheads I ordered online and any PVC fittings I got locally at Menards, Home Depot, or Lowes. Menards feels like it has a much better selection then the others.

If you are in interested in more ornamental fish you can go with Koi or comet goldfish. I got the comets originally at Petco for $0.15 and sold those for credit at a place near my house that sells pond fish and also has channel catfish. Ponds Plus near 94 and 70 in St. Charles.

One other place that might help you, but is on more of the tropical fish side is Malawi Aquatics. A little North on West Florissant Ave from 270.

I got 7 more cats Saturday now at 10 with 5-6 goldfish and a pleco. That pleco needs to step it up. It's cleaning the tank, but taking forever. Front cleaned and part of sides. The bottom is not touched. Just the bit under SLO intake.

Lots of standing water around the growbed. Also a bucket with the old lava rock from last years bucket filter with maple trees and tadpoles in it. No mosquitoes and very clear.

Lost two fish. One jumper goldfish and one sinker catfish. I cant tell as much as to why on the catfish. Choked on a pellet? Had some brown on its mouth that kind of looked like food.

I took a vacation and have been gone for 11 days. Hopefully I'm not coming back to a mess tonight.

Well it looks like I am....

There is at least 1 catfish dead water went green. The 30g ap system is ok

Everything in my corner tank is dead inside. The large 1.5lb fantail is gone and his two tank mates.

Also there is s mound of cat shit in litterbox.

UV clarifier is back on to let me see into the fish tank again. Still can't make out if anything is in there unless I drain the fish tank. Still feeding "something" for right now.

Tomatoes look like crap. On the bottom branches the leaves are shriveling up. Leaves on tips of pepper plants look bad also. Strawberry plant has leaves turning red. Reading conflicting causes as to why on that.

Cucumber plant is doing good. something has been trying to eat the leaves.

I am not cleaning out the RFF. Not enough fish waste to even lightly cover the bottom right now. Fish tank still under stocked.

I have neglected to do any water levels and will do so tonight.

I am guessing a potassium and calcium def.

pH is high from the rain

pH | 7.8 - 8.0
NH3 | 0 - 0.25
NO2 | 0
NO3 | 0

Not enough nutrients? Needs more of a fish load.

Also picture of algae on the RFF center bucket. Very tough took about 10 seconds with a finger nail to scrape that amount. I would give the bucket to the pleco but would need to remove the screws.

Almost 50 views on the last post. Anyone have any comments or suggestions?