Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi I'm Ash, and I've been a lurker for a while now... Started a mini system in my living room (can't believe hubby hasn't kicked me out yet, fish and all lol) since the end of December...I want to try it out and then make a bigger system in my backyard come spring/summer time.. Starting to collect the blue barrels..

So far the system is going ok... My houseplants love it! But unfortunately the few vegetable seeds I tried aren't doing the greatest... Could be the light.. Only using the massive patio window... The peppers are the only ones that don't seem too bothered.. But the pea is dying and tomato is just barely hanging in there.. Any tips?
My full grow bed
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170216/39ce57407327bf94856f6d459d6f4e0a.jpg
Not so good tomato
[/IMG]
The almost dead pea



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sorry that's the full grow bed pic... I don't know why the first pic didn't show

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Hi Ash, neat little system you've got there.

What sort and how many fish do you have?
Do you use any supplements or other additives?
It appears to be a flood and drain system , for what time intervals?
What is the total water content?

A window system should be fine so long as it doesn't dry out.

I find veggie seedlings to have stepped growth cycles, it seems that they need to work on growing one area at a time say roots then foliage then roots and so on until they're big enough to produce flowers. So while they look like they're not growing they're most likely establishing more roots.

Pete.

Hi Ash,

I think you should cover your grow bed so that the bacteria can be happy.
And IMHO, you need a bit more depth in the grow bed for the roots to go through.

You can omit the soil that comes with the plants and sow them directly in the gravel.

Hi Ash

what is your media mix ? looks to be rock gravel plus something else.
also how deep is your media - it looks like you are only using half the tub.

most likely the issue is the soil in the containers.
If it is soil (versus perlite etc) then the situation will be too wet for the plants and they will rot.
This would easily explain the poor growth.
If you want to use finer material for the seedlings then you will need something inert.

also try posting your pics directly rather than linking them.
helps keep sizes down and easier for people to read.
First post pics are too large. Second post is OK.
instructions here > viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21754

how warm and dry is the inside of your house ? This may also be a factor
(suspect that is what Gurkan is driving at)

can you post a pic of your system from the side so the whole setup is visible.

Hi Pete, thanks for the reply... I'm using some feeder goldfish, and my are they growing well.. They don't look like the fish I bought about 2 months ago.. Lol
I'm not using anything in supplements or additives yet per say... The only thing I added were a few crushed egg shells...
My system is a timer set.. The water fills until it reaches a certain hight, then stays flooded (but water is cycling through, overflow goes back to the fish tank) until the timer goes off... Then it all slowly drains out by a small hole in the bottom of the grow bed... Completely drained by the time it's timer starts again ( 2 hrs on 2 hrs off)
This being my first try at this, I need to look into supplements just trying to figure out what exactly..

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Yes I think the Gb was a beginner's mistake.. Lol.. I think I need to paint it soon... But wondering if I should since this will be dismantled and transferred to a bigger system come spring time...
The "soil" is actually fish tank gravel and coconut fiber.. That's where I started some of my seeds so I just put the whole the pepper cup into the aquaponics system.. Great for the forgetful person that doesn't remember her plants need watering.. Lol.. I think that's why I love aquaponics [WINKING FACE][THUMBS UP SIGN]


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Hi dlf, thanks for the reply
My phone gives me an option of taking a pic and it automatically adds it to the post... So that what I use for it..
My media is crushed red bricks.. And the black is some left over fish gravel.. To fill in the big gaps..
Yes my container is half full... I am waiting for the weather to be a bit warmer so I can go out and wash out some more brick.. Canadian winter not so fun.. Lol

That's what I have so far...

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A lot of sulfur is produced when bricks are made and being porous they'll have a tendency to absorb some of it - not good as it could leach out again when immersed.
River pebbles ranging in size from 1/2"to 3/4" 6" inches deep would be a better option. Flood to 1 1/2" from the top for 15 min on/ 45 off. Drain to 1-1 1/2"from the bottom.
Try to avoid adding anything as you could end up chasing your tail once you go down that path. An API test kit will help you see what you can't now.

Pete.

Thanks pete[SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]I did the water test everything was fine.. I think my nitrates were a bit high (80) but looked it up online and there's mixed feedback on if that's considered a bad thing... In any case I did do a boat a 5 gallon water change..
A lose took apart the Gb the other day and painted it black.. Rewashed all the stones in warm water.. Added more to fill over the drain pipe.. And so far so good.. Fish are happy plants aren't getting worse.. Lol.. Time will tell

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Highish nitrates are ok for a bit, I think of it as a nutrient reserve so when they get to zero with zero nitrites and ammonia there's not much waste to be converted and not much food (no reserve). The GB isn't consuming the nutrients as quickly as they're being produced which can be balanced by adding more plants.

Pete.