Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Have a look here gemmell:

http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/2002/fs0265.pdf

let us know what you reckon yours is...

Used http://4e.plantphys.net/article.php?ch=t&id=289

still not 100% sure, but it looks to me like a Nitrogen deficiency =(

I'm still going to dose up with epsom salts, so that should fix the magnesium, I'll put in a bit of chelated iron to make sure thats available, and I'll put a bit more seasol in just to get a few more trace elements. But if it's nitrogen.... I basically just need more fish. 70 small gold fish in a 1000L seems too little for 2 bathtubs of veg.

If you think it's Nitrogen Gemmel... you could always add some Hummonia.... or grab a packet of "urea balls" from Bunnings.... and add a few as needed...

I've been adding Hummonia twice a day. I will do some measurements tommorrow & report.

Humonia FTW

I've been thinking that I really need to keep things a little warmer. It'll mean the fish and veggies grow quicker. So I've been researching how I can build a greenhouse over my current setup:



I've been thinking I should make a half tunnel style greenhouse out of 20mm PVC and probably some ghs film.

However, EB made a suggestion in another thread - Use laserlite. Has anyone done this? I was thinking I can attach the sheet to my neighbours pergola which you can just see in the photo, and get the laserlite to bend such that it arcs down and attaches to the ground near the base of the besa blocks. I don't know if laserlite will bend like I expect it to though. Anyone played with it?

If it's straight, I don't think it'll go over my fish tank. I'll do some playing tommorrow. How much bend lengthwise do those laserlite sheets exhibit?

It dont like bending around corners. Mainly because of the corrugations. But they do bend well on the shorter side (with the ripples).

Make a laserlite roof, and plastc walls.

Was really hoping that I could get away without having to BUILD anything. The idea of just attaching it to the neighbours structure and the ground and having it bend was ideal for me. It doesn't have to bend TOO much. If I have a 3m piece and it's bending 30 degrees, I reckon that'll do me. Then again, it wouldn't take too much to build a bit of a wall.

http://www.laserlite.com.au/PDF/Laserlite_Polycarbonate_install.pdf

Aparently it needs a 6000mm curve radius

Well, the "TrimDeck" stuff looks like it doesn't have as much of a corrugation, so it might bend a little better. I might go to the tip tomorrow and see if I can pick any up cheap, just as a proof of concept.The old stuff may be brittle and just snap.....

If I bend it in B* and it breaks, do I have to pay for it?

I'm putting it out there right now: It is too cold to do aquaponics outdoors in Canberra. My ammonia has shot through the roof, now sitting at about 1.0 - and I assume that this is just because it's become too cold to be able to work it's magic. Water temps are about 8 degrees, air temps when I get home are about 3. I've already lost 2 fish, done a about a 10% water change and am expecting more. Stupid cold weather.

Are your fish eating all the feed Gemmell? .... maybe back of the feed a bit... or every other day...

Chances are at those temps they're not eating or eating as much anyway...

Haven't fed 'em for a coupe of days now. There is some duckweed floating on top but they're not touching that either.

Water temp of 3 ??? You might need a greenhouse

Air temp 3... water temp 8... OBO.... still pretty cold