Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So the tomatoes have taken off.... Cilantro isn't doing much but that came from an odd strain last year that did similar ground crawling in dirt so who knows what's going on there... Have to get another light in before I can plant the other half of the bed. I'm hoping that it will be a 2' custom LED as opposed to another flou tube... We'll see...





Re: fish... Once they're introduced, hopefully in a few weeks, what kind of response should I expect from pH levels? Obviously, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates will bump up at least temporarily...

You wont see any change in PH. The nitrification process is acidic so PH will come down in time but depending on your systems buffering capabilities this could be a very long time.

So the "new"/"oh my god, this really does work" phase officially wore off today. What you see above turned into an out of control mass of indeterminate tomato plants that simply fell all over each other. Tore almost everything out that was too far gone to get under control. I'm down to 8 plants - as opposed to the 16+ that I started with - and I figure I'll pull one or two more depending on what survives the shock. Hopefully, this will stave off what I suspect was a little iron depletion until I can finally get fish in the mix in the next week or two. Meantime, either stainless hardware will be buried in the stone as anchors to tie trellis string to or plastic rods will be sunk in so these can be properly trained now.

Unfortunately, I was incorrect in my recollection of being able to get local fish feed in 50# bags for a decent price. Turns out the biggest I can get is 22lb/$10.99 or $2/lb. I can get 50# of Premium grow out pellets for $40. Even with the $36 shipping it still works out to be cheaper... Go figure... So onward we go. I'm hoping that the next time the urge to update hits I'll be able to say that the fish are in AND that the new LED light is built and in operation. Cautiously optimistic....

I forget what type and how many fish you have Fishbits. Check at Tractor Supply Company, there are several in NH and they might have what you need.

Haven't got any fish in yet Scotty. Probably going with blue tilapia though. Only a 150gal FT and about a 6x6' GB so I'm not going to push things. Probably a half dozen fish just to get things going.

Totally forgot TSC. Thanks for the reminder. 20# for $14. If they have it in stock that's a winner. Thanx Scotty

So this is how things look after the thinning of the tomato herd... Can't believe just how much transpiration was taking place just b/c of the number of plants in the system. Humidity is definitely more in the "normal" range of controllable now.

Since I was in the vicinity the other night, I stopped in to Tractor Supply and picked up a bag of Sportsman's Trophy fish feed. Literally all I need now is da fish.... Maybe... just maybe.... this weekend....