Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

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And thanks for the thoughts on bed depths..

One thing is clear. - it all works if you follow the general rules.. and use common sense applying the rules..

Like in a different place, a total expert declared that PawPaw could never grow in a GB... but that OP had done it for years, simply because of the oxygen in the water and after, with FnD...

One argues that anaerobic is bad and another says the opposite... that it improves the Nitrogen Cycle..
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One claims deeper is better, and another the opposite.. so clearly if it works then it's OK... and you have got the basics right...

It is clear that AP, must be seen as a learning curve, and I do look forward to just that... learning..
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From my 2 minutes of research using the search function my understanding is that iron is ok in a system but only chelated iron is taken up by the plants. It seems to be the coatings like nickel and zinc that are the issues.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7420&start=15&hilit=Iron+oxide

As for bacteria I was thinking E. coli which isn't an issue normally due to fish being cold blooded. It may not be an issue but thought it should be brought to your attention.
I know some use goat poo worm tea and don't have a problem with it, I use worm tea too but the worms are only fed ap scraps, (fish and vegetables) I also don't think it can be taken up by the plants thru the root system but I personally prefer to keep warm blooded additives to a minimum.

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and - just a thought..

at question is (I understand) a galvanised FT lid..

Just thinking how irrelevant it is to criticise the ZINC component, of something that does not actually contact the water..

If there is any concern then the countless thousands of systems based on IBC frames and inners, would need to be re-considered... ie.. they too are galvanised.. :-)

and - I was right about the maggot farm.. ".. I think we will skip that one.." were her exact words
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Oh ok, now im with you..

I was of the understanding that the stomach processes of the maggot pretty much took care of any bacteria from its food source, that and the fact that they purge in flour also helps remove any issues from said source, and finaly a good wash prior to feeding out will complete the cleaning of them.
And considering there a staple food source for many people around the world, they cant be too bad imho, but i am not an expert on the subject and appreciate input from anyone with more experience on the matter than myself.

Jarrod.

At the minute there is some sag in the lid, and the mesh IS in contact with the water, but some 25x25x3mm angle will take care of that.

Gotta make the steel shop before close of business hrs today come to think of that..... better get a wriggle on..

Haha, yeah took a bit for my missus to come round aswell... "A what ??... You've lost the plot..." were the exact words i got.

Jarrod.

They use maggots in Hospitals,they are used for cleaning wounds as they only eat dead flesh.

Good point dasboot, amazing little critters..

Jarrod.

Well, did a few water quality tests today, things are cruising along nicley at this early stage,readings as follows:

- Ph 7.5, ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm and nitrates 5ppm.

Upon reflection of these readings i can say that the seeding of my system with bacter from my inside tanks has helped massively, and cycling is well underway.

Jarrod.

A few pics of growth to date, last pics taken 26th, so thats 9 days of growth sence last pics.

And some more..

Growth to date, 7 days sence last post. Things are looking really good.

Ive already had 1 harvest of salad lettuce, and spinich, lettuce not to far off being due for another haircut.
Strawberrys showing signs of improvement, i suspect my salting the system to 1ppt has affected them somewhat.
capsicum, brown onion and corn look to be doing better in my dirt garden than in ap, i am using my dirt garden as a "control" to compare growth rates, taste ect

Well ive had a few birds taking intrest in my ap system of late, so this arvo after the young fella finished school we got into making some scare hawks....

A few shots..

Nawww cute stuff! Hope they work. I might have to get my own little man onto a similar project methinks.

Im sure they will, and will take pride of place high above the gardens keeping watch.

Im sure your young fella will have a ball as my son did, such a simple thing yet brings such pleasure to the kids seeing there work of art come to life in the garden.

Jarrod.