Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Looks good. Very impressed.

Yea, looks very good in deed.

Do you have any problem with rain pooling on the roof?, and how does the air and water temp go on these hot days?

No pooling on the roof, I have guy wires going from top to bottom between the main posts to stop the plastic saging and the heat.. well it has got to 55degC but i`ve pulled up a mid section along one side which has helped, the water got to 32 that day and my 2 big marron suvived poor buggers thought I might be able to eat them straight from the tank

Hooley dooley. I have 50% shade cloth over mine and take the plastic off the top (leaving it on the ends) when it gets hot. The shade cloth stays on all year. Whether this is good or bad I don't know but it is now secured under the wire lock channel.

I have coverd half with shade cloth (length ways).. just time to do the rest
Rick dose your cloth and plastic sit on one another, reason I ask is I know if you use cheep plastic i.e. builders film it reacts with the shade cloth and becomes very brittle (the plastic film) I assume you have the proper green house film and have had no probs

Yes I believe it is the proper GH plastic as I bought it second hand, and it seems alright. I'm told the proper GH plastic will only last 3 years as it yellows so much. My cover is now 2 years old and should do this year as well. I have another spare in the shed.

another update, Plants seem to be doing ok in the DWC but have suffered a bit with the heat in the green house, Ive seen it at 55C.

noice

PLants look good Tea... Do you have some sort of media they are planted in, in the raft?

I`m using a small amount of expanded clay in a disposable cup ,thats it

Excellent setup mate!

Plant growth looks awesome too. No bug eaten or nutrient deficient leaves that I can see.

I imagine the structure keeps a lot of the nasties out. Do you add any tonic (like Seasol) to your water? Is it just maron powering this crop?

Yes I still get bug problems, because it gets so hot in summer I have to leave the doors open and ive had to remove a section out of the wall, so I got the occasional nasty but i believe the green house helps allot, normally (pre AP and in the soil) our gardens had lots of extra protein but this year just a few, so few in fact no need for any sprays at all (ie garlic/chillies/pepper) just kept an eye on it all and removed the contaminated leaf.
I must mention too that not having that many bugs also meant allot of flowers went to wast especially my tomatoes
I have had problems with mold on some jap pumpkins too but thats about it

If it is powdery mildew then Ecorose will help. Have you got any pictures for us Mark. would love to see how it is all doing?

Hmm my camera seems to be over in Ballarat with Tracey, Polocrosse nationals is on there, finals today. will take pics when she gets back

I have a friend in near you in Maryville Downs who's garden and veggie patch got decimated this summer by grasshoppers, ants, birds, the dog, rabbits not to mention the heat and wind. He is now investigating putting up a tunnel, for obvious reasons.

I read further back in this thread and answered my own question... you have silvers and marron right? Cool.