Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In my world worms are good at any time

The pH in your system might be a bit high to benefit from the iron in the mineral dust so if the iron deficiency doesn't start to get better soon you'll need to either spray apply a diluted iron solution like maxicrop plus iron or you'll need to get either DTPA or EDDHA iron chelate. These could be spray applied or added to the system.

I might sound like a broken record but I think it might be light related still. In low light environments plants will make less chlorophyll, which will show as lighter coloured leaves. The carrots look very elongated, if there is enough light they shouldnt fall over. Furthermore, lettuce does not need that many nutrients, as long as there is nitrate present they should grow fairly healthy. You have the nitrates yet the leaves are still very pale.

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Seems to me that every time someone sees yellowing, they reach for the Iron.

Here in south TX, we teach them to add first Mg. The growing conditions are similar to what you describe and its not Iron defiecent, its Mg.

Thanks to all for the advice.

It has been very helpful. I will be replacing my bulbs in the next week to see if I can increase the available light. I believe the current ones I have in the system are way past their useful life. I've also bought iron chelate and magnesium additives for my GB. I may add one at a time to see which one in fact fixes (hopefully) the problem so I will know for future reference. All new growth from the lettuce as well as on basil plant is very weak looking and yellow. I hope these additions will help.

I have the worms on the way, excited for their added benefits to my system. I will post picture updates this weekend.

Thanks as always,

Tyler

hey, I got a few extra feet of 3/4 hose for pump, if you expand soon or need it now let me know.

Chris,

Will do. Already looking at dismantling and chopping an IBC tote I have. I like your set-up. I'm trying to take it slow and not bite off more than I can chew but that's the hard thing about AP, you always want to go bigger and better haha.

-Tyler

certainly, already wish I'd went ahead and built an 8x20 hoop style green house for more space.

I don't know if you've gotten your new lights yet, but if you don't mind spending the money T5's are the best for your buck. T8's would be perfectly fine too. Grown a few plants back in the day (I'm only 24 so not too way back) on T8's. Just remember to keep them from burning the tops. General rule of thumb is if it's too hr on the back of your hand it's too close. Recommend about 6 or more inches a way depending on size of the plant, how many lights (more heat), etc etc. Another thing to note about indoor crops is that a fan is also a good idea (didn't see one). It will help strengthen the stems of the plants so they can support their own weight as well as making them durable enough to move outside if you so desired.

System Update as of 9/20/16.

I changed the bulbs last night. I have attached a picture of the specs that were on the box. I shopped around a decent amount and felt that these were what I needed, but I know all of you know a lot better than myself so please advise me. These bulbs have a good blue light spectrum and a good overall CRI for florescent bulbs. I hope these will work until I can invest big bucks in some new up to date lighting systems.

All readings from the water testing indicate that everything is good nitrification cycle wise. Temperature is not shown, but fluctuates between 70-75 F based on if my A/C is running or not.

The tomato, cucumber, and carrot plants seem to be doing better than they were at first. I hope this light change continues to promote healthy growth and hopefully flowering at some point in the near future. The basil and lettuce plants still seem to be struggling. It's been stated that it may be an iron, magnesium, or lighting issue. All I have added to the system is a little mineral dust. However, I'm not sure what the dust actually contains so I'm not sure if it's addressing these issues. (probably not)

I also am beginning to develop a small crater from time to time in the center of my bed caused from the draining of my bed. Anyway to combat this? It's trying to swallow a cucumber and tomato plant.

As always thanks for the feedback and assistance. I just want a nice salad for myself haha, is it too much to ask for.

-Tyler

I think the plants in the gravel growbed look pretty good and tomato/cucumber are heavy feeders. So I think this rules out any nutrient deficiencies.

Ive studied tomatoplants and LED lighting for my bachelors thesis. If I compare your seedlings to the plants I grew, I would say a little more light wouldnt hurt. But lets see how the new bulbs work out.

So that leaves the floating raft, It cant be nutrient related as else the tomatoes would have perished. If youre running the same amount of light as in the gravel growbed I dont think this is the problem either.

Leaving me with the aeration of the water as explanation of the lettuce and basil not thriving in your floating raft systems. Are you running an airpump? This might help, or I might be wrong. Overal I think youre plants are looking better than in your last post, so going in the right direction!

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I am currently running a whisper 100 gallon air pump with two four inch round stones. One stone is in the FT and the other in the raft tank.

My only concern, which may be dumb, is that the top GB is taking all the nutrients out of the water before it gets to the raft tank and that's why that tank in particular is struggling. Can this happen?

-Tyler

Well, tomatoes are notorious for eating up nutrients so it is possible. I feel lettuce shouldn't require as many nutrients to grow. How many fish/what're you feeding them?

You could also be fighting nutrient lockout due to pH levels. Check the high pH test since you're maxed out on the low range and compare that to this lockout chart.

From this link:
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/infor ... nd-charts/

Might want to search the forums for the various threads discussing nutrient lockout too.

Goldyglocks,

I have 7 goldfish in roughly 35-37 gallons of water, then an additional 15 gallons of water in the raft tank. So 7 fish for approximately 50 gallons. Feeding them small API goldfish pellets.

Casey,

Good point, I will test for a higher pH tonight and see what range I'm more likely in. From that chart I would say anything from 6-7.5 would be good?

-Tyler