Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ok, so the systems been up for 6 weeks or so, sprouts everywhere, but fixing mistakes like dirt in the system raising Nitrites like crazy etc... Won't bore you sure youve heard it 10ooo times..

Were at 45 or so goldies, death has slowed thank goodness.

the beds are growing amazing. We have beefsteaks, cilantro, dill, cucumbers, radishes, many types of lettuce, pak choy, carrots, broccoli, marigolds, nastriums?, and some other stuff. I throw the seeds mix 'em in, a few days later, sprouts, wayyy too many.. Made a neat lil seedling transplanter tool thingamajiggy.. The beds are full, good thing I bought another used setup with bell siphons and everything.. I am going to be at 5 GB 3FT. 1FT goldfish/koi permanent. 2 FT Trout/Tilapia, small/large etc.. I also have a 55Gal tote I was going to try the CHIFT PIST gig and see if I can pull one off.. Maybe..

I am working on facing the return downpipes towards the outlet valve, I noticed the water flow out of the pipe blows the bottom debris. I figure I can utilize the flow to help direct the solids to the outlet, and feed my container garden the waste. I now have a RO system installed on the grow table connected to the spigot outside. I wasn't gonna haul that much water!!! I flip the switch, and RO fills.. Good Times!

I wrapped the FT in black plastic, between that and the 2 pleco's the algae is no more
I added some stuff for the fish to swim in as well.
I also lowered the rain to just above the beds, it was breaking some of the seedlings and stressing others. I added a filter to the pump line to the GB as well.

I’ll add some more current pics tomorrow. Thanks for looking Scott

Chilies in the pots are looking good. What's with the rain effect irrigation system? It will probably cause you some problems as your plants grow and their leaves shed the water off in all directions some of which will no doubt land up outside the growbed. Oh.... I see you said you lowered it.... The holes are also very small and will block with solids. I would just plumb the irrigation to fill the growbeds at on point nice and open so there can be no problems. you will also find that having pipes on the top of the media makes it harder to space plants out nicely. Also why so little water in the Fish Tank? Is that low tide?

More photo's tomorrow OMFG

Yep, I can see probs with the rain system as the plants mature.....great idea but prolly impractical.

Welcome Scott!

The rain setup will evaporate a lot of water and the water exposed to sun will grow algae. +1 on the irrigation holes clogging, and the rubber tubing feeding the grid will get clogged over time with biofilm. Squeezing the rubber tubing occasionally can clear the biofilm but it would be better to use 3/4 pipe than the narrow tubing long-term.

Update. Took photos today. You can see the filter, as well as the other modifications to the system.
BTW, I really appreciate all the advice, you folks really know your stuff..

All, I forgot to give props to the love of my life who has been helping out the entire time. She's really into this with me. She also makes sure the fish eat on-time, always.

I am going to try to take time in the next two weeks to build the solar panels that I bought the material for..

Update.

Lets make this easy reading.

system cycled, plants having grow party, covered greenhouse. killed fish (too much acid too fast PH was very high) learned that and 100 other lessons.

added chelated iron, muratic acid, EM innoculant, fish emulsion then let it sit for 5 days then re-added fish, all is good in my hood. Levels are outstanding. Everything is growing like crazy.

adding second system and expanding 7GB 2FT.

Here are some pics.

Looking good. Love all the pictures.

Love the pics!!

Thanks folks!

I am keeping full records of everything I have done from day one, there are too many mistakes to be made I don't want to repeat them lol!

Now that my first system is cycled, alive and well, time to start the other system up and add the additional growbeds!

I am amazed at how fast things are growing now! Fish poop is GREAT!!!

Here's a Slideshow of 36days worth of growth. There are seed that have sprouted as soon as yesterday. Enjoy!

Maybe even make a believer or two whats possible with Aquaponics.



http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn8/ ... =slideshow

Hello all, Here's a system update and some pictures.

First thing we harvested were some radishes, wow they grow fast! They also have a very strong flavor. The cilantro is very strong too and delicious. We'll be pulling some pak choi in the next couple of days.

I have had to continuously pull the marigolds and nasturtiums as they are growing stupid fast taking up too much nutrients.

I transplanted some heirloom tomato seedlings several weeks ago into some 5gal containers, and they are miles behind the plants in the AP system. I also put some outside of the greenhouse in various 15gal containers to see if outdoors has anything better to offer. The AP system wins the race hands down. Woot woot so far!

The dill is ready also. The cabbage and broccoli/various lettuces are all faring well and are having a grow party. Pinto beans are skyrocketing as well. Seems like most of the seeds are AP friendly.

There's a field of pak choy of which I am going to have to transplant several (meaning ten to twelve) as I have underestimated the area some of these plants require. Actually, I didn't expect all the seeds to launch through the various media.

We also added another 40 comets to bulk up the fuel, and to subsidize the floaters.

http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn8/ ... =slideshow

We ate our first AP Pak Choi last night. It was amazing!! a couple of the outer leaves were a little strong tasting, but wow! 2 pak choi fed 5 people a side dish.

AP party over here!

Nice system.
Sorry to hear about the dead fish, killing fish is something I'm rather good at too
Looking forward to seeing your system develop.

Dui.