Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Okay guys, been following AP for a while now, ie: reading websites & forums. Then began my experimenting with a prototype system consisting of:

approx. 200ltr FT (glass aquarium)
approx.50ltr GB (polystyrene box) filled with 20mm agi screenings
11 goldfish
8watt aquarium pump
and appropriate plumbing for flood and drain system.

I spent months of tinkering trying to get the bell syphon to work but once i mastered it I started to cycle the system for a couple of weeks then added the fish and some lettuce seeds and off it went.
This system is in the garage under an open window and laserlight roof sheet and growth was slow to start but once i removed half the filter from the aquarium pump the lettuce grew franticly. It now runs with no filter just a piece of pantyhose loosely over the intlet to the GB.
I have some small problems with this system but will deal further with this system later.

Now for the bigger system. After viewing pictures of everyones systems mine is actually quite small in comparison and makes the prototype look like a miniture.

I decided to use the IBC with the top cut off and placed ontop as a GB system design. I am a big fan of the KISS principle and felt 1 FT/1GB/1pump was the most cost effective and simple system to construct and the girlfriend is a bit wary about me turning her entire backyard into an experiment.

The second system has been running now since mid October and I began by transfering 6 Goldfish from the prototype to cycle and then after 2 weeks I purchased 50 SPfingerlings.

The system now consists of:
600-700lt FT
100lt GB filled with clay pebbles
50 SP fingerlings 40-50mm
4 goldfish 60mm
1 8watt aquarium pump
plumbing for bell syphon

I added seeds very early in the cycling process and from all the seeds that were planted I have one puny zuchini seedling, one puny green been seedling, 2 tiny spring onion shoots, a couple of miniture capsicums seedlings, and a small sunflower seedling. I also have a large soil vegie garden and planted zuchini at the same times. I have just picked my first Zuchini from the soil garden but have not had a chance to cook him up yet (cant wait Yum). As the soil garden began to sprout some of the seedlings were thinned out and planted in the AP GB.
The transplanted zuchini's have not increased in size but seem to have adapted to the change from soil to AP but have yellowing leaves and fruiting and flowering seems dormant.

So now you all have a bit of a back ground on my experience and my systems my main concerns are the slow, stunted and yellowing growth that i'm getting from the GB in the second system (sorry i feel a little silly calling it my "BIG" system ) I have tried to read up on all the possible causes such as nutrient deficiencies but seems there are more than one cause for the same problems and I would like a more systematic approach to solving my problems.

I can post some pictures tomorrow for you all to get a better visual of both my systems, I will even post some of the soil vegie garden for you all to enjoy.

Hope some one can help thanks.

BB

What's your pH Bundy... probably iron "lock-out"... get some Chelated Iron.. and add a teaspoon... some seasol... foliar fed over the plants will help also...

Welcome Bundi Bear...

PH has always been rather high around 8 but i have not had a chance to test for a while. Where is a good place to buy this chelated iron. I have just added a couple of caps of seasol after reading that it may help and not kill the fish. But very wary on dosage.
I have been out of action for a while and havn't had a chance to check on the system regularly in the last two weeks but it has been running with only 400ltrs in the FT for quite a while now.

Welcome. I'm just skimming but pictures help.

water testing??? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and PH a minimum. Has the system cycled?? what media are you using? that would help diagnose any issues you may be having when the gurus see you post.
Chelted Iron can be purchased from Bunnings.
I have the same set up as yourself and I add about 1 teaspoon every 3 - 4 weeks, if my leaves look yellow.
the less water you have in your FT, the faster things can go wrong. I dont let my tank loose any more than say 20 -30 %

Good luck and welcome.

regards
Matt

I topped up to about 800ltrs yesterday but the warm weather had droped it again slightly by this afternoon. I will do proper water test tomorrow and also take the photos and hopefully upload them tomorrow evening along with the test results.

The system should have well and trully cycled by now. Its been running since mid October. I have slight algae hanging from the syphon outlet. And there is plenty of scum on the FT walls and in the rocks at the bottom.

At pH 8... adding chelated iron isn't going to help a great deal... as the pH will probably bind the iron...

I'd suggest you get some though... and while you're at Bunnings... buy a small (5L) black bottle of "Diggers" Hydrochloric Acid....

Add 10ml of acid.... wait two hours and measuire your pH again.... if it's around 7.6.... add another 10ml.... if it's around 7.2-7.4.... just leave it, nitrification will do the rest...

2 hours is enough for the fish to adjust?! I would have waited a day between doses (but that's not based on anything scientific, just gut feeling).

Bundy, you should also look for a reason as to why your pH is 8. Do you have any limestone, shell grit or concrete anywhere in the system? If it's been in since October, the pH should be coming down naturally unless there is a buffer already in the system.

You're also going to run into trouble later - 50 SP with only 100L of biofiltration (probably OK for now). Conventional wisdom (on this forum) says you need 100L biofiltration per 3kg of fish.

Ha ha Simon! Welcome to the crazy world of AP! Bugger that your having issues with the system. Did you use tap or tank water? pH of 8 sounds high for tap water, usually around the 7ish mark up your way. I would say that that is your main issue, due to nutrient lock out as mentioned above. seasol and chelated iron is the way to go. I found the the 20mm screening wasn't great for direct seeding because the seeds tend to get lost. I am now growing seeds in punnets and then transplanting them. The transplanted seeds have gone off were as the direct seeds take forever to sprout, stall and then go off! Not sure why?

Do a full water test if you can and post results:

pH:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate

The guys and gals on this forum are awesome and will give you the feed back you need.

Come over anytime you want to check out the system and maybe even some homebrew!

We are up in the hills for xmas so I might pop over if that's ok. PM me your details.

Bring on the pics

Quachy

Yep, pH as Rupe says. Then the Iron and seasol should help.

Agreed that you will need more grow bed as those fish grow since 100 liters of flood and drain grow bed is really only enough filtration for about 3 kg of fish and that is for an experienced fish keeper. If you have potentially many times that 3 kg of fish and therefore will need additional filtration of some for or other.

just a quick one rup before I start playing around today testing and photos.
I have the same concern as gem, is a couple of hours enough time for the fish to adjust to a drop in PH or should i do it over a couple of days?
stay tuned for the test results and photos.

Sim, I'd go with trying to adjust over a 2-3 days. less shock to the fish. put a bit in (not sure how much you will need) then re-test in 4hrs, and adjust.

thanks mate just pm'd ya my number. give me yours and i'll call ya if ive got any more questions when i head out there later this arvo.

Sorry Bundy... missed the bit about having Silvers... waiting a day between doses might be better in a small tank.... but I'd test after a couple of hours...

You might find that your media buffers back any gain....

you guys suggest hydrochloric acid to drop PH, did anyone think of vinegar? works for me