Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I don't think they would add much. And I think I read something years ago about the nitrogen fixing bacteria being more active when there is a lack of nitrates, but don't fully trust either the memory or the "fact".

Research, however, shows this: The nitrogen fixing bacteria are anaerobic, so must live in nodules in the roots of legumes. The plant then incorporates it into it's structure rather than needing to find nitrates in the water or soil. The nitrates are not available to other plants until the host plant decays.

Now ther is a simple and obvious answer. Of course, we all plow in lucerne to increase the nitrogen and don't rely on the roots direct injecting it.

Hi Rmcpb,

Just a thought for you to think about later,Have you gone to the barrelponics site by Travis.W Hueghy,I think it is.If not, Google it It may interest you for later on.
That was the one that really got me interested in aquaponics a while ago.Went to my set up as the barrels were too expensive for me.I saw your frame work and it reminded me of that.Good fun isn't it?

I may be a little off track but my system is fairly new and I've been adding seasol and powefeed to my system I have just stopped now but I was adding a cap a day to help things start up, powerfeed keep things green and seasol put some other goodies into the system..I have spinach bok chois,brocolli chilli plant tomatoes eggplants rockmellon and pumpkin,I dont know how the rock mellon tomatoes, and eggplants will fruit but they are in helping the system balance at the moment.

Nice system you have there, good luck

Cheers.

Thanks Bigdaddy. The barrelponics site is a beauty and gave me lots of ideas. Next expansion, once the system is really cycling is to add a heap of pots with different herbs in them to this system and maybe a couple of extra Bunners buckets for some salad greens then I think its time to bite the bullet on a bigger/better system.

One immediate thing I have to come to terms with is to get the pump wiring in properly so I don't get zapped. Running some conduit along the fence line with power outlets at the present system, and more down where the big one is going, then to get my sparkie friend to hook it up for a few tinnies.

See ya

Put an earth leakage device in there... and you'll be set...

Why do we protect possums?? I have had to fence off my dirt garden for years. Now they have moved in on the mini AP and eaten my seedlings off Another job to do and this was going to be a small simple system.........................

Reckon in a couple of months they will be prime for the fur trade!!

Best protection against possums I ever managed was a dog.
Haven't bothered me ever since she moved in.
Get an excitable little pup like a boxer, they'll stay clear.

I had to pen in the two schnauzers we have as they have loads of fun pulling plants out of the dirt garden...buyer beware.

Got a couple of dogs but they have to stay inside at night. If they are out they spend all night chasing possums and barking. Keeps the possums off my gardens and the neighbours on my back.

Still think we "use" them..............

Put in the SLO overflow and now its perfect. Duckweed for the fish and no blocked drains

Seedlings are growing back very quickly from the possum attack.

most excellent news rmcpb!

Well, its been about a month now since I set this little system up and:

• the fish have almost doubled in size even though its getting quite cold at night now
• the plants have recovered from the attack of the killer possums (they haven't been back since which is good news)
• I have changed the water delivery system from the original open ended tubes to a closed system with 1/8" holes drilled in it. A much more even delivery to the beds.
• I have installed a SLO for the overflow from the fish tank to the sump tank. No more problems with fish taking rides and duck weed blocking the overflow.
• I have installed a system of pipes to return the water to the tank instead of just letting it dribble back into the tank. I was losing water due to splashing, it was noisy (its close to the neighbour's bedroom window) and it was fun getting it right.

Looks like its going well.

I have some algae starting in the fish tank so I will expand the system to use the extra nutrients. Another couple of tubs, a strawberry tower and a series of herb pots.

Finally sprung for a test kit.

pH 7.0
NH4 <0.25ppm
NO2 0.25ppm
NO3 5-10ppm

Looks like everything is working as it should although the Bower Birds have found the plants and are very partial to a salad...................

And to tomatos.... at the first hint of colour....

Nice starter Rob, and no it never ends, believe me, a bit of extra shade or shade cloth will stop the algae, I gave up on duckweed it seems to take over the system, sounds like you have a bit of wildlife, possums are protected woops,