Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I personally would not grow cherry tomatoes in NFT pipe, even 100 mm. I have basil that is managing to block up the 100 mm NFT pipes I have going. I don't think you want flood and drain for NFT pipes. Generally a constant small flow is what you want there. If you shut off the water to NFT pipes for very long, the plants suffer quickly.

We did a little "catch and release" yesterday to get a feel for the size of the fish. They create an almighty splash at feeding time, but because the tank is lined with black plastic I can't see them!

Netted two trout (didn't want to spend too long disrupting them). The biggest one is pictured below and would make a fine meal; the smaller one was probably half the size (volume-wise).



The NFT augmentation is taking shape, hopefully I'll get it installed over the next few weekends (and will post pics of course!)

I grew some great tomato plants in 90mm PVC. There were 3 plants in a 2m length, and the roots filled about 1/3 of the pipes - no problems with overflowing. Plants died when my pump failed in the middle of summer and I wasn't home.
I did have a bit of a problem with my fruit splitting. My brother-in-law (a market gardener in Virginia who grows hydro) said it was due to the osmotic pressure and he suggested I turn off the flow for a while at around sunrise and sunset.

Given time with plenty of calcium in the water, and my black pond liners have taken on a kinda whitish gray patina which makes seeing my catfish much easier. However, light angles and a black sun shade to help see through the surface of the water is still needed to see with any great clarity.

Good to see you're having some success!

Veggies doing quite well.


Check out the cauliflower!!! Yum!


Re-landscaping to gain better access to the fence, ready for fence-mounted NFT strawberries...

Look'n good Jimmy

NFT up and running.




Need to get some of those small pots as the plants keep blowing out!

The system now has two pumps (one on a timer for the flood & drain, one continuous flow for the NFT). However, I've turned off the supplementary aeration as the continuous flow pump diverts about 90% of the flow straight back into the pond (too much flow for NFT pipe). This amount of flow creates an enormous amount of aeration so I'll use the air pump to provide additional oxygen during warm periods.

Trout are getting to small plate size so will go in the smoker soon :-)

As usual, looks sweet.
Do you think those NFT supports will be strong enough ?

looking good - and breeding your own AP apprentice too I see
Looks great and seems to be working a treat
Keep up the good work mate