Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hello,
I'm reading a maximum of post in this fantastic forum in order to mature my aquaponic projet.
I often read same problem meet:
- to much quantity of fish compare to GB
- temperature too high : fish dead
- less oxygen in the FT : fish dead
- only 1 pump in the system : fish dead when pump fail
- difficulty to control the PH
- feedback regarding alternative solution of substrat (gravel size, type ...)
....

I propose to created this topic with the following subject: experience feedback: problem meet and solution found

if every body post a summary of his system, a description of his problem and solution, or a link to the existing post, it will be, I think, helpfull for every body.

Many thanks in advance for your messages !!
Pascal

You nailed it Pas'

What about 'my syphon is not functioning properly'


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don't forget to wash the GB substrate:
An evolved technical:
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12306&hilit=underground&start=135

because if you forget to wash the chosen substrate, you will never see your fishes:
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3830&p=165754&hilit=forget+wash+clay#p165754

enjoy

Control pH
pH is referred to as the master variable because it controls many other water quality variables. One of the most important variables is the process of nitrification. Nitrification is more efficient at pH 7.5 or higher and practically ceases at pH values less than 6.0. Nitrification is an acid producing process that continually decreases pH. Therefore pH must be measured daily, and base (calcium hydroxide and potassium hydrox-ide) must be added to neutralize the acid. pH also affects nutrient solubility. The optimum pH for nutrient solubility is 6.5 or slightly lower. A compromise must be reached between nitrification and nutrient solubil-ity, and therefore it is recommended that pH 7.0 should be maintained in an aquaponic system. If pH is too high, nutrients precipitate out of solution, plants display nutrient deficiencies, and growth and production decreases. If pH is too low, ammonia accumulates to levels that are toxic to fish and a different set of nutri-ents precipitate out of solution with similar detrimental effects of plant grow and production. Therefore, monitor and control pH.

Take care about cleaning the siphon:

sometime, even if water is really clean, the plants roots grow and cause siphon trouble for starting.
It could be really bad during holidays for exemple ....

refer to this post :
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20156&start=195

take care.
Pascal

The one pump failing concern can be mitigated by spending the money on a high quality pump.

Good idea.

While by its very nature this post may not solve the problem: I'd say the solution to a majority of pH problems and indeed other issues is building first and then reading the forum, doing research and asking questions.

The old "measure twice and cut once" carries doubly with AP... it's a ton of work to backtrack and redesign a system once it's rolling and live.

Yea, I would agree. I have seen a number of first timers jump in with no idea how to size the plumbing, only to have us tell them that they need larger pipes when their grow beds overflow.

But that is how we learnt

The reason I studied fluid dynamics was so that I could understand water flows and then design pipe networks that would work. I didn't want to go through the HSM of an overflowing FT because the drains where too small. Once was enough.

A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from other people's mistakes.

I'm convinced that is more permacultural to take the required time to prepare a design.

Each, we have just to find an average between intelligence and wisdom.
Either we make to much mistakes or we don't do anything.

What do you mean? I thought I made a mistake once... But I was mistaken.

I've had conflicting advice about the use of seasol with aquaponics... the concern being that it can destroy the bacteria/culture in the grow beds even with low application rates. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

First I have heard about it... People have been successfully using it for years.