Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yeah the hydroton was just back up bacteria as it was richer than I thought and my system was DWC so rather low on medium anyway.

I think growth just gets better and better but there must come a point of toxicity be it for one type of fish or plant or bacteria...

Established Aquaponics is actually quite the extraordinary thing for running outside of 'suggested guidelines' and still performing.

Temperature, nutrient levels, pH, all seem to make little difference.

Did you know I ran a rock steady pH of 6.2. This is something an Aquarist wouldn't dream of. But to no ill effect whatsoever on the fish. In fact they grew so well I was told I was a liar from a fish guy pertaining to their age/size.

WOW. Its not the fish that surprise me, as different fish like differing PH's, but the bacteria!

I'm fairly sure 6.0 is the "stop work meeting" point for them

A few questions? (Hope you don't mind )

What fish were they?
What was the stocking density per Litre?
What volume of media did you have?

Thanx

Monya, was it you or VB that question my confidence of the final location for my sucken tank?

WHAT was i thinking? the sun has been beautiful the last couple of days........and the tank is in the winter shadow line of the side fence!!!!!

ARRRRGH........oh well, guess i'll have to get that spa bath into action

steve, I don't think it was me Sorry if I doubted you! It sounds like you snuffed it though, winter shade line ain't exactly the perfect place for it Woops!! Maybe you should dig it up and move it!!!!!

pigs arse move it!



I think i was worried about the summer heat. der.

go forth and start diggin, follow the sun and you will be rewarded with big veggies and fat fishies
Seriously, I have stood out in my backyard for so long trying to decide where to put the greenhouse. Still haven't fully decided, 2 spots it could go, each with their merits and downfalls. I suppose I could sort the dilemma and build 2!!

just greenhouse the entire backyard, that way you will always be right

Just what i was about to say

Some how i don't think high water temps will be a problem during summer, not for 1000lt+ systems.

Besides if they are in full sun and/or in a greenhouse, a simple roll of that aluminum foil insulation will stop most of the radient heat.

here is a kooky idea. put the barbie INSIDE the monster greenhouse, you can have winter barbies, add heat to the greenouse and have an enriched CO2 atmosphere for the plants

i am waiting for the boys in blue to raid me. i have my back room stuffed with reef tanks . i light them through the night to take advantage of the cheaper electricity and to keep the heat down. this has the effect of lighting my back yard with bluey white light. a neighbour said that the police helicopter was hovering low over the back one evening in the winter , maybe they ve seen enough through the window.
will keep some extra teabags in any way
wait till the green house is rebuilt .

I can't wait for a visit- got nothing to hide, and Imight be able to convert them to aquaponics...come officers, let us adjourn to the greenhouse for some home cooking

Now that would be a conversion worth braging about!... " the coppers came to get me, but I convertd them instead!"

two floaters today

can't understand why!

system is about half way through cycling, ammonia is now at zero, and nitrites at 0.5 ppm

Temp is at 20C

PH is at 7.2

Any ideas?

EB?
Anyone?

I' don't like not understanding

Does anyone know of iron or rust toxicities?

Don't think its O2, as no fish are gulping at the top, unless its during the night due to Algae demand hen the sun goes down.............

Steve

mmmmmmmmm..... no idea Steve..... haven't heard of rust or iron being a problem... Is your system not running at night then?

System runs 24/7, however i know that there is a much higher O2 demand at night due to the algae not photosynthesising, and activly using O2 instead of producing it.

Hmmm, have you ever had fish deaths for no apparent reason?

I'll not be too concerned if its just the two, one may have been the one that did a leap for freedom, and the other the one i had to "resusitate"

did you pop them open to check that they had been feeding in the past day or so - may give an idea as to lenght of illness... no food at all could indicate a loss of appatite way before death - just a thought