Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am pretty sure we have the same water in San Diego. With the exception of a few small reservoirs, most of our water comes from the Colorado river. I have given an RSG filter some thought. Perhaps that will me an upcoming project...

Ron... Vegas may pull the water from the river... then we soak it in Lake Mead. With salts and sewage... in a desert well. They stock it with fish every season, but as far as I can tell, they've done nothing to develop a lake eco-system.

So-- yeah, the SGF caught my attention right away. Both as a pH buffer... and infusion of iron.

That is because a lake Eco system is not as sterile as they want it to be. But hey, if they pump sewage into it, at least the nutrient cycle is being maintained...

I've only driven by Lake Mead, but it seems to me that it really isn't capable of creating a lake eco system, as there doesn't seem to be adequate breeding grounds for the fish.

The RSG filter... utilises iron... to denitrify nitrates.... not to alter pH, or provide Iron...

I think you have mis-read it's application...

I was under the impression that here were two setups depending on how it was mixed. One way denitrifies the water, the other adds iron.

Did you mention whether you had gotten a seed germination / warming mat or not? I got one recently and it's done wonders for my germination rate. Viagrow 20.5X8.5 for about $18

No warming mat, just self watering.

Did a water test today
Ph has at the lowest on he high range ph, and highest in the low range ph... I need a better way to check ph.
Ammo .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 140 +
Temp 61.3f
The pumpkin seedlings, and the muncher and strait 8 cucumber seedlings were getting too big for the seed starter, so I planted them.
I picked up some ladybugs and praying mantis eggs today. There is a giant ladybug orgy right now on my celery. Most however are residing in my ladybug house.
I also picked up Monterey Dr. Iron. I put about 1/2 cup in my sump. The consistent message on the packaging is water thoroughly. I do not believe that will be an issue.

Ron,

I was thinking about maybe doing a couple of small hybrid fruit trees in barrels. How are your trees in a barrel doing?

If you would do things differently what would that be?

Do you F&D in tree gravel beds?

Could you or some else on the forum maybe recommend specific cultivars for aquaponics? Ones that are comfortable in 1/2 a barrel?

Right now I have a grafted plum-peach tree that is covered in blossoms. My lime tree is covered in blossoms too. I purposely selected trees that were designed for container use. When they do get too large, I will throw them into the ground. so far the only tree that has been a disappointment is my lemon tree. I do not think that it is a problem for lemons to be in AP, I think that MY lemon tree is just being obstinate. I definitely run Flood and Drain. If I was to do anything differently, I would have timed my building around when bare root trees are available for cheap. Then again, I do not know if container ready trees are sold bare root...

Thanks for the info Ron.

I started looking into container and dwarf trees. But it seems some need a certain amount of "chilling hours". We can do chilling hours here in Minnesota

Don't know how I could provide chilling hours in a greenhouse and still grow other stuff. Maybe just grow dwarf trees suited for the Gulf Coast temperatures?

Hmm, back to the drawing board.

Hey man!! your system looks great!
I am Leo from Argentina and here in L.A for two weeks hoping to see many aquaponic system as possible to learn and get more points of view of the aquaponics that I am so interested in.
Can I come to see your system?
thanks and hoper seeing you soon
Leo
leo_med @hotmail.com

Had my first harvest of he season. Last year my dill was an epic fail, this year the dill I started from seed is rocking!
Also, I am knocking on wood, but I think I might actually get cucumbers this year. I have packed this growbed tight.

I hope the fires are not giving you too much grief Ron?