Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Greetings fellow APers, I am from Malaysia where the sun shines all year long. This is my first try on aquaponics so I've decided to make one on a smaller scale so that I can understand the basics and how everything works before I invest in a bigger system. Am really keen on learning as much as possible and maybe in the near future set up a commercial system.

After few weeks of sleepless nights, I have finally (I think) got everything working in order. The system is 3 weeks in cycling process, just had my nitrite spike few days ago. Have 6 catfish fingerlings in my FT and planted tomato and broccoli in my GB. I'm using a flood and drain system with a bell siphon. The ratio of my GB to FT is roughly 1:4. Is this something I need to change? Oh one more thing, solids are not being sucked into the pump and settled in a corner of my FT, any way I can remedy this?

I'm really enjoying the challenges (fish/plant/equipment) that comes with aquaponics. Would love some tips on how to make my system more efficient. In the mean time, do have a look at my humble system.

(Please pardon the mess or should I say work in progress)

Very nice!

I'm not sure you need to worry too much about the solids. Mine gets some crud build-up in the corners and my fish don't seem to mind.

Once in a while I pour a bucket of water(because it slowly evaporates/turns into plants) into my tub and the solids swirl around and probably get sucked up then.

Is that the bottom of a glass bottle I see being used as a bell? AWESOME!

love it and stop showing off about your climate...

Thank you.

Yeah my fishes don't mind them either but I'm pretty worried about my GB collecting sludge over time.

Yes it is, got the idea from YouTube and a see-through bell cap helped tremendously with my bell tuning.

Thanks, glad you like it.

Showing off? I would never do that to you guys.

Hi d3m0n,

Can you please post an update to your system?

Regards

Hello Curious,

The system failed (purely my fault). For the first three months my tomatoes grew like crazy, but died after few flowers came out. Tried red chilli afterwards but the same thing happened again. I kind of knew it would happen eventually, since I did not incorporate a solid filter into the system. The solids accumulated in my grow bed and blocked the roots from getting any nutrients. My catfish is doing fine though. So after 6 months and few failed plants, I've decided to build a new system. Hopefully a bigger and better system.

Cheers!

@d3m0n - I see, any picture or thread to your new system? BTW which part of Malaysia are you from?

Regards

No, you were worried about that from the start and that's probably why you are blaming it on it now... Look at Fayes system, I think it was something like 14 crops of fish over 7 years with fantastic plant growth and NO solids filter. There's no way that your had a problem after only a few months that caused your plants to die because of solids in the bed.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1622

Haven't started on it yet, I'm still sourcing the materials. I'm from KL. You?


I'm pretty sure that is the reason. It's a micro-system and I admit I did overstocked. A big system like Fayes' will allow that, but mine definitely will not, unless I reduce the number of fish and/or add a few more GB. The ratio of GB:FT was off all along, and I knew in time it will clog. I will post the picture of my GB later.

@d3m0n - I am in PG, it is though sourcing for materials in our country. For myself i am having problems with deficiency, i am suspecting the fish food i was using and the water temperature fluctuation.

Regards

@d3m0n - After going through your thread again, you might have deficiency issue as well, seeing you are growing fruiting plants. Can you share your findings for the 1st 6 months your system had been running? For example where your system is located, the hours of sun it is getting or your water readings to name a few.

Regards