Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have planted swiss chard for the this winter, it sprouted and has not grown much more than 2.5 cm in three weeks. Could the be a pH issue? My systems pH test around 6 even though I have crushed coral in it and nothing I do brings the pH up for long.

do you know what date you planted Dandy?

October 10

so for the last 17 days it has been waning.(moon)
the new moon from the 28(Tomorrow) will see a lot of growth

Really? You think so?

You might try baking soda as crushed oyster shells did nothing for my system's pH but that did. Don't add too much as that can be bad too. Better would be potassium bicarbonate as that would add potassium and the plants would like it better. You can get it at homebrew stores apparently, but you have large water volumes so maybe that much would be more involved to procure. Good luck!

I would need to be able to buy it in bulk )
I hate that I have to order everything I need
Think a local winery might sell something like that?

I asked the guy at our local winery and he suggested getting it from the internet or a homebrew store because their price to me would have been more expensive without their discount on it.

You could add wood ashes (if you heat with wood), but only a bit at a time as it is really quite alkaline. I added it under the flow into my growbed and figure it will add potassium (hydroxide!) as well as some other important minerals. I found a tablespoon per day in 100 gallons of system water seemed ok.

yes but while everyone goes check out the moon phases thread.

The seedlings shouldn't mind a pH of 6 too much though the bacteria and fish would probably like it a little higher.

I have noticed in the past with seedlings, they often will get started and then seem to just sit around for a couple few weeks before really taking off. I sometimes think they are spending that time growing roots to support their planned top growth. This could possibly also align with moon phase since the timing sounds about right even if I have never really paid attention to such things much myself.

Moon phases chart required

. Though ours is on the dunny door

http://www.ngnautoclub.com/station/narrogin.htm is a moon phase chart for lower wa at the bottom of link, this is weather data from my house as well

I like the wood ash idea; free and loaded with minerals

My next new moon is November 19'th http://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/index.php

I am going to plant a grow bed full of wheat and see what happens. Has anyone grown wheat?

Not afaik. Broadacre AP