Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone. Thought I would post an update, but also had a question. Our system is running with all timers in place, and on a normal feeding schedule. The nitrites are at zero, and the plants are all growing like wild. We have lettuce, raddishes, carrots, onions, cucumbers, beans, strawberries, and brocolli. Still waiting on the peppers to sprout. With all of this growing well, the nitrates are holding staedy at 20-30. Should I take this to mean that the system can only support what is there, assuming that the nitrates would be climing if there was an excess? Should I simply feed more often to generate more nitrate? How do I know when to stop planting, based on how much it can support? We are already eating the lettuce for our dinner salad, same crop that spent several weeks in low temp and snow storms. People with outdoor dirt farms are just now getting sprouts. They no longer "snicker" when I talk about our system.....

That level of nitrates is ok afaik - I run at 0, I think Jaymie or someone else was running over 100.... If mine starts to go up I plant more plants. Keep an eye on your PH as well - it may drift down. As you plant more, you can feed more

I'm with you there BBNCC, I'm looking around and thinking it is high time to have some plants going outside - for the dirt garden I won't usually be planting anything until Memorial Day or later.

If the measured ammonia and nitrites are under control then you should be OK to feed the fish more. It would be good to know how much your bluegill can grow in a Summer in an AP system. I don't think we have any data about them from anyone else yet.

Sounds like you are doing great! Ain't it fantastic how you can eat your own veggies so much earlier in AP?
I would say do the following:
1. Feed the fish all they want to eat, if its a big increase in feed do it in stages but consistently.
2. Get a good feel for what you can grow at the feed levels.
Watch your fish and enjoy.
Your N level is fine. I'd think it will change a bit as the plants flower and fruit.
Congrats and Pictures?

t'weren't me, I don't know what levels we run at, possibly VB

Here are some pictures of the system in action. We also have plants that are growing in dirt, but are watered with AP system water. My wife has a couple lemon trees that fall into that category, as well as some tomatoes and peppers not yet planted. Growbed space is limited, so we are improvising until I can get the large tomato mountain growbed up and running.

And here are some pictures of the main FT and the bluegill. You can see where the tank is in relation to the GB's. The whole system is 45min on, 45min off, and constant during the nightime hours. The system needs more care and attention when the plants are small and roots not yet established, but then they take care of themselves. The lettuce we have barvested had a great root system.

Plants look awesome!

yep, everyones got it covered.

you got it in one about the nitrates MOVING being the sign

BB & CC.. another AP success story.... as if anyone ever doubted it would be so

gee the Bluegill have such big eyes!

All the better to see you with Jaymie

BOOM BOOM

I like it when a plan comes together