Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello:

I have the aquarium sized systems done. You can see pictures of them on my FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 222&type=3

I haven't added fish yet because I haven't gotten the PH to 7 (it's around 8 right now) and I want to stabilize the water before I add anything. I have some lettuce in the right (unheated) system that I'm hoping won't die until I get the water taken care of. I realized I should have waited but I don't want to stress the plants more than they already are.

I didn't need the valve at the grow bed due to such a low volume but they're not expensive (at this size) and I figured it might prove to be handy anyway. I also know I have to get my power supply above the water, so nobody needs to scold me about that.

All told, it was a pretty simple system to assemble. The hardest part was sourcing all the pieces (nobody had everything I needed). I'll produce a price list and sources soon.

I have one tank being heated and the other isn't. I'm really curious about the fact that the one that is warmer is substantially clearer (without anything going on with the system) than the colder one. The colder one even has plants in it so I'm even more confused about it.

I know this isn't some fancy, major, huge, impressive, or attractively built system. I am not there yet. I will be... Hopefully this helps other people too.

Recommendations on type and density of fish are more than welcome.

Hey Paul:

Are those tubs for bussing tables? Reminds me of my busboy days...

It's helpful for the forum to post the pictures here instead of linking somewhere else, over time they tend to disappear from the Internet and then the threads don't make sense.

If you aren't already, you might start adding a source of ammonia to get the bacteria going, to get a head start before adding fish. Search here for fishless cycling. I used pure household ammonia and was able to cycle in two weeks. Also if you have an already established aquarium or know someone who does, squeeze out their filter to get a good population of bacteria right away. HTH!

Thanks for the tips Dave. I'll see if I can't snag a filter from a local pet store, I don't know anyone running any kind of aquarium at the moment.

The tubs were obtained from smart and final so i'm guessing they may very well be the kind for bussing. They are really thick walled and fit nearly perfectly in the aquarium tank.

I have looked at fishless cycling. Right now my focus is to drop the PH from low 8's to 7.

Be carefull useing the local pet shops filter pet shop aquariums have a high tern over of fish so are likely to have a large number of possible fish diseases

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How are you planning on removing the solids from the gravel? using a syphon and cleaning it like a normal fish tank?

yer you may find it will work best if the pump is on the bottom and no gravel in the fish tank
just out of interest how have you got your drain set up are you using a stand pipe or any media guard?