Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi after seeing an aquaponic system on Norfolk Island run by Helen Reddy, in June of this year, I was sold on the idea and seached the net and found the BYAP site. I attended one of their workshops in July and this only increased my enthusiasm for AP. After further research and more visits to BYAP (sorry Faye for the 1000 questions) and Joel's quote of "Just jump in and go for it"I have. I have started with 1 Ibc FT 1 3/4 Ibc ST inground and 3 Ibc Gb's. After the time to build the system the water in the FT and ST was looking rather green and the Ph was up around 8 to 8.5 I have stocked it with 20 Wild Goldfish and have been running now for 1 week 15 mins on 45 off and the water has cleared up quite a bit. PH is still high and no signs of ammonia as yet (wish I would hurry up and get some patients). I lost 1 fish through the feed pipe to the grow beds before I saw this could happen and changed the outlet, but the rest of the fish are really active and eating well. I hope I am entering all this correctly as I am not a computer wiz and will try and attach some photos.
So far so good (but then thats what the Guy said when he jumped, from a 20 storey building, for 19 storeys)

Great te see you here Gnomeman, can't wait to see your photos.

Hi I tried to attach some photos to my last post but it did not work so trying again(not only am I learning about APs I am also learning this computer stuff.) First photo should be the 3 GBs second buryied ST and last is the FT.
Here goes:-

The forum software actually posts the photos in the reverse order to which they're attached Gnomeman...

i.e your first photo displayed... will actually be the one that you attached last...

Don't ask...

If you want them in order... then either place them "inline"... after you upload each one...

Or attach them in reverse order...

Thanks for that RupertofOz like I say I am getting some computer lessons as well
Any comment on the system would be appreciated
Thanks

Hi I have 20 Goldfish in a ibc FT with 600l ST and 3 cut down ibc for GBs. I am feeding 3 times aday and the system has been running for 11 days on 15 on 45 off. System was salted with 1.5kg pool salt.
This mornings test readings were,

PH 8
Ammonia <0.50ppm
Nitrite 1.0ppm
Nitrate 0

As I think these reading are a bit high should I back off on feeding or what.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Other readings
Patience 0
Knowledge Learning
Having Fun 100%

Thanks

Stop that feeding... Only feed about 1 teaspoon once a day for a while till your readings come down...

Me let it go..

Maybe cut down to 1 feed a day..

System still needs to cycle.. Before anything major..

Just me a Pond Noob..

Let it Go.. Nitrite are not to bad..


Juergen

Thanks EB and SnowT for your replys. On reading comment by other newbys it sounds like we may fall in to the trap of overfeeding. Will reduce feeding as advised.

(lov these Smiles)
GnomeMan

Hi All after adhering to advice from EB and SnowT to reduce feeding the readings are looking better.
Todays readings

PH 8.2
Ammonia <0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <10

I think I should still hold back on the feeding for a few more days to see how it goes.
Plants are looking good except the BokChoi that was attacked by little green catapillers ( Sprayed with Dipel)

Will attach photos (Ihope).

Another photo that was supposed to be attached to last post must have ended up in cyber space.
Here is BokChoi after caterpiller attack.

I think it's still out there ....

Hi Gnomeman,
Ive merged all your posts into one thread, try to just add to this one one in the future, so there isnt heaps of 1 or 2 post threads about your system

Thanks freoboy it certainly makes it easier to find it all. As I said early I am also gaining more experience with the computer. I have sent this by just clicking on post reply hope that is correct.
Any comments or advice on the system.
Thanks again
GnomeMan

Hi Can anyone tell me why the flowers are falling off the tomato plants In the attached photos you can see the stem behind the flowers is changing color and them they just fall off .
Readings
PH 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10>

I have sprayed with Seasol Foliate spray, should I use Seasol liquid.
Still learning and having FUN.
Thanks