Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Are you going to be sitting the gravel in the GB until march or running the system, water etc. Just that the gal will be messy to paint then but a liner would be okay.

Looking good so far.

The system is running which you'll see as i add more pics, just finding the time to play with the AP, keep up with the forum and do all the usual life stuff.

I was going to put in another trough 8m long for a worm farm, so i can use those troughs for that and instead of putting in new troughs switch to Plastic. Or line the new troughs and then pull the gravel out and line these ones. I have access to spray on liner like they use on Ute wells at a good price so i could spray it with that as an alternative.

Just thinking that gal with water gets a build up on it. Hope it goes well. I do like the idea of formed GB's.

Myself and a mate at work have spent two years plan our systems, he has a 5000L tank where as will have 2x 2500L tanks, We thought the troughs would be provide better access and better use of space over round Gb's like EB used in his system, Subsequently i've discovered the pplastic one are really good value and no gal issues so i'll probably switch.

3rd day of construction.

Tank in and rain over night filled it up, Washing Gravel awesome, just can't get enough of washing gravel!!!

These pics from the 23/11/2008. 3 weeks after i started.

My Plants have been yellowing, which obviously mean lack of nutrients, i'm waiting for some fish for the fish farm.

Took readings;

Ph 6.6
Rates 0
Rites 0
Ammo 0

What can i do to get the nutrients up in the mean time?

humonia.....chelated iron.....seasole....and then more humonia

Or a tablespoon of urea.....

Test before adding fish though... ensure readings are 0,0,10+ ....

6 very small Koi in system, Added some Seasol Powerfeed which i think is Munched up fish. I added a littel a week or so with no detriment to fish, hope i haven't over done it.

When you say "ensure readings are 0,0,10+ ...." do you mean;

Ph 6.6
Rates 10 +
Rites 0
Ammo 0

In the material that comes with the test kit it suggests a good system should be around Ph 6.6
Rates 25
Rites 0
Ammo 0

but that is for an aquarium.

If you've got some fish in their.... then only a teaspoon of urea... don't want to spike the nitrite too high

Then let the readings settle out.... even a teaspoon should convert to Nitrates=10+ ...

Can always bump a bit again a few days later... (after above readings) ...

Or just wait until you get your fish and lightly feed the fish until the system cycles anyway...

We adding salt yet. Love the salt.

Yep salt in 1ppt or there abouts.

Oh that Powerfeed is like seasol, black as thunder!! has made the water go brackish, hope i haven't over done it!

Be careful with the Powerfeed. It was organic until they added urea. So I was told. Might be a good idea to check what is in it as it may not be very good for fish????? Not too sure.
As I undestand it Seasol (seaweed concentrate/extract) will act as a tonic and help strengthen the roots and stem walls of plants making it more resistant to disease and pest attack.. Be warned Seasol is a brand name and also includes products that are not organic?? such as lawn products, fertilisers and Powerfeed.
Please also be careful as sometimes if you tell someone to use seasol that think you are saying sea salt and go oh yeah! Really! Just a caution cause it is better to be safe than sorry.

All good got up this morning the water had cleared a bit, Fish looked lively.

Took levels this arvo:
Ph - 6 down from 6.8
Rates - 40
Rites - 1
Ammo - 0

Fish still darting around looking happy.

These are progess pics from the construction.

Les would be proud of you washing all that gravel