Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Everyone,

My tomato seedlings have been in for about 3 weeks, they have grown incredibly yet they have developed black spots on the bottom leaves, these eventually drop off. If you know how this could be treated please let me know.

My system is only about 1 month old and still cycling as I also have a algae problem. All the plants are growing very well.

Photos attached

P.S Its not frost burn.

Pictures would certainly help Pondera, as would results of your water testing.....

If you've benn cycling for nearly a month, you should be very close to cycled, even allowing for the cooler temps..... testing, and posting the results would help us help you.

Welcome by the way..... I'm sure there will be someone who can help you.

My inital thoughts Pondera would be perhaps you are suffering high humidity... perhaps you flood level is too high or, if you're not suffering from stem rot then maybe your drain time is a bit slow.

Is your system enclosed in a greenhouse?

Pondera,
Welcome to the group. BYAP in Perth is growing. I have just started and am trying to cycle 2 systems with differing results.
One is a fish pond which needed assistance clearing out algae. It still needs help, the algae is winning.
the other is to be a BYAP system to feed the family. It seems to be cycling much better with nitrates present now. My problem is lack of a fish tank. I am running on a 200 litre drum as a sump, pumping to 4, half drums as a GB.

could be a virus spread by thrip's. I had similar problems a month or more ago in my dirt patch. I hacked out the infected bits and sprayed a couple of times with pyrethium and it's all gone.

Thanks for the responses

My growbeds are outside. Nitrates are present approx 10ppm, although so are nitrites. I flood to just below the top of the Hydroton for 15mins, it drains completely over 30mins before the next pumping cycle.

Timmy - I don't think it is Thrip as you can usually see the mites on the undersides of the leaves.

I will post photos when I get home on Wednesday.

if it is the bottom leaves, with toms it is better safe than sorry. Hack the bottom leaves before whatever it is spreads. Ask questions later.

Nitrites are 10? The fish should be dead. Do you mean 1.0? What are your ammonia and pH readings? You are definitely not completely cycled.

Janet,

No, what I meant was my Nitrates are 10ppm and Nitrites are present (1-2pmm) which is to be expected at this stage of my cycle.

Ammonia 0ppm
pH 8.1

My water is not to much of an issue, unless there is a deficiency in the water causing the black spots on the leaves.