Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Cookies netting tank has fish water coming in at the top. The water then is taken from the bottom via a SLO to the next stage. I assume you will make those changes.
The height of water in fish tank should be higher than the height of the water in the netting tanks to increase flow. And just like Scotty said, the two 2" from,fish tanks going into the netting tank may be part of the problem. I am guessing at that flow rate that its the height difference causing most of your problems though.

Air pump connectors. Make sure you score the metal on the outlet of the airpymps so the hose doesnt slide off. This happened to me before ai fixed it.

I thought this information on Pond Boss forum about Tilapia was interesting - can't vouch for the accuracy since I don't grow tilapia but most of these guys have been at it for awhile. (4th post from the bottom by Rainman) - http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=204645

I've seen similar info but with higher DO requirements in the past so I take it with a grain of salt but DO doesn't seem to be affecting these too much so who knows

That's crazy Low DO.. I wouldn't want to try it. But I will look into it some more.

Umm hi hi.. I was dormant for a bit. but I'm bac for a while. ok coming to my products





What I did notice... the plant grew so rapidly that it literally suck down the nitrates for 160ppm to 0 ppm in the peroid. that caused the younger plants to halt on their growth. but I added 5 more fishes from my bigger system and increased the feeding. now the nitrates is at 40ppm and increasing and growth is improving.

but WOW that a huge system u got setup here. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress

Dang Cookie!! What's the variety of lettuce and what are your current air temps?
Those look great!

Cookie that looks great!!

I have a question though, how is your aerated net tank doing?

I set one up prior to the BIG addition and noticed solids coming up the net tank slo. Is you DWC collecting solids?

Thanks for stopping by. Home to see you around here more often.

It's great. no complaints thus far. The solids part at tye start a a small amount of fine solids used to leave the filter but not that amount is much lower. flowrate and retention time plays a huge difference in any filter performance.

lol temp is HOT. maybe around 30 to 33 C. the type of lettuce is an iceburg type. I believe emperor is its name.

Does it taste good or does it start having a bitter taste because of the heat?

Are you still running you media bed too? Is it CF?

no bitter taste.. I think des kind is suited to our climate.

yep still got media bed CF arrangement.

How fast are you turning over the CF bed? Any way you can test you CF GB exit DO?

Started to aerate the net tank yesterday



And today's numbers. Morning and afternoon



Calibrated DO meter before each set.



7/4/15 8am

System temp 84f
TDS 255

MT 1 DO 5.7 (full tank)
MT 2 DO 6.0

Sump DO 6.9
FT 1 DO 4.2 pH 6.92
FT 2 6.2 pH 6.95
Aerated Net Tank DO 4.5 pH 6.95
Cloth Tank exit DO 4.5 pH 6.92
GB exit DO 3.6 pH 7.04

Fed 60 grams


7/4/15 4pm

TDS 261
Water Temp 90

MT 1 DO 3.8 (2/3 empty)
MT 2 DO 5.3

Sump DO 6.3
FT 1 DO 0.8 pH 6.8
FT 2 DO 5.4 pH 6.8
Aerated Net Tank Exit DO 4.4 pH 6.8 (Found a half decomposed fish floating in net tank)
Cloth Tank DO 3.2 PH 6.8
GB Exit DO 1.8 PH 6.6