Backyard Aquaponics
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A lot of my plants have started to turn yellow over the last 2 weeks, and some have died off completely especially the lettuces. Water tests have been ok , with ph at 6.6, ammonia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates up on the high side around 80 - 100 ppm.
The system 1500litres completed cycling about 5 weeks ago , and fish were added 3 weeks ago. Spinach has been the best with growth whilst cycling and was lush and green until it started turning green 2 weeks ago.
I am in Perth and we've had some very wet weather over the last 3 weeks and am wandering if that could also be related. I have attached some photos if anyone has some suggestions on what could be wrong.

Some more pics including one of the Spinach 2 weeks ago when it was looking healthier.

has the system been salted?

I'd be adding some seasol

No the system hasn't been salted. I added some charlie carp a week ago and saw no change. I will add some Seasol tonight and see if that helps.

From what I can see looking at the pics it appears you may have Potassium and Iron deficiencies.

Also, if it's the lettuce that are being effected the most the Nitrate level of 80-100ppm may be too high for them, lettuce require much less nutrients than other plants. The Nitrate levels in my IBC system are reaching 40ppm and while everything else is flourishing I've noticed the butterhead lettuce have stalled.

I would plant plenty of Nitrate hungry leafy greens, Rainbow chard and Bok-choy are easy, quick to grow and will zap a fair amount of Nitrates from the water. I would also add some chelated Iron at 1 slightly heaped teaspoon per 1000L, as well as some Potassium bicarbonate, again at 1 slightly heaped teaspoon per 1000L

Thanks for the info. Do you know where in Perth potassium bicarb is available- would bunnings have it?

Potassium Bicarb - "eco-fungicide"

Yes the big B would have it. So does BYAP, and I suspect any gardening store.

Hi, I'd appreciate knowing how you got on? what action did you take and was it successful?

Why?

I have the same problem:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18227&hilit=Bunyip#p413237

I pulled two lettuces today and the sage karked it a couple of days ago. The chile and capsicum's are hanging in there, as are the rainbow carrots. The only plants apparently doing well are the Rhubarb which appear to be going gang busters although the leaves look a little anaemic.

I did salt the water (1 kilo just before the 10 SP's went in).

Regards
Tony

Hi Tony, my plants are looking better. I followed other user tips and added the potassium bicarb (eco-fungicide) 1.5 heaped teaspoons and a cup full of seasol to my 1500ltrs. Also the rain has backed of a bit so the few nice days we have had may be helping. I did lose most of the lettuce though. Now have some obvious new growth on most plants so thats a good sign. I will give it a couple more days then i'll repost with an update and pics.

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Thanks for that, I'll remain hopeful and look forward to your progress. I've pulled out the really dead ones and planted some Rainbow Chard and Chinese vegetables. I went to the big B and they had Chelated iron but no Pot Bi-Carb, but i'll try and get that this weekend.

So far (after 4 days) no real change but as I said, I'll remain hopeful!

Regards
Tony

Update 21st Oct, plants are looking pretty good at the moment. Spinach is 40cm tall and providing heaps for sandwiches and salads.starting to get some chillies. Onions are developing. Kale and rainbow chard looking great. Worst has to be the pak choy- it seems to attract all the caterpillars/white moth and went to flower very fast before the plant even developed into something worth while. Have 12 silvers in the tanks but will increase soon to about 35.

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hi there i have my system looking the same and i am in Perth what was the potassium bicarb you used i have already used the iron a while ago but no difference i have also checked the salt levels as i know lettice wont stand much but i have lost all of them now and my salt level is low.

The Potssium bicarb product can be bought at BYAP or bunnings or most nurseries and is called ECO-Fungicide.

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you mean spinach started turning 'yellow'...

could it be water level? calcium?