Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello,
I have been looking around on this forum since last year. This year I had planed on doing a outside system, but it would feel like a late start to do it now(maybe?)

Instead I have done a small inside fish tank system with a 20g(75L) and 10g(38L) tank. I did this as more of a interest on how it works and so far it is keeping the plants watered and has the sweet basil sprouting within the last few days. I used a turtle that I have had for last few years in the main tank to help start the cycle and started adding piping and the GB. After a few days I added the other 10g tank as a sump to add more water and then added small fish after a week. I pretty much just went in on it with out any idea what I was doing. Its only been less than 2 weeks and the fish are not dead or the plants. I know this is around 100 times smaller than what most of the members have on here, but I'm learning.

I have taken a few videos of my system to show friends and others.

Welcome to the forum Rob

Looks like a good learning setup there - nice work.

Just a point with your sump, I'd lose the gravel out of there. It's only going to trap waste, which will putrify and potentially become an anoxic zone in your system - these can be fatal to the system, causing pH crashes.

One of the components within an AP system is removing your solids (poo, uneaten food, etc) to the growbed where they will breakdown aerobically and contribute minerals back into the system.

Welcome, we all have to start some where. CD has given good advise and others will follow.

I will remove the gravel from the sump. I removed the gravel from the tank months ado with the turtle because it made it easier to clean. Now I have been siphoning the waste from the turtle into the sump every few days. Fish eat some of it but most goes into rocks.

As for that fish tank filter in the sump should I remove it or leave it alone? It's giving a good amount of oxygen to the water because it drops about 10-12cm to the water.

Welcome Rob

I'd leave it. It's not causing any problems and, as you said, it oxygenates the system well.

Welcome

I ended up having 4 of my smallest fish die today. I am positive that it was due to PVC dust in the water. After removing the gravel I found more than enough that could cause a intestinal obstruction. I sanded edges and flushed with water before testing the siphons, but I guess things still happen.

Bad luck but lesson learnt, can only get better.

Sure it wasn't due to the reason you're removing the gravel for in the first place? Anoxic zones in the gravel have been disturbed and released their toxic filth into the water?

This was before I removed the gravel just a few hours ago. I got home from work and found them dead.

Bummer Rob.

Are you concerned about pathogens from the turtles? I was under the impression that turtles are capable of carrying pathogens harmful to humans.

Turtles in AP have been discussed a few times and they pose the risk of salmonella, which is water bourne but can also be taken up by plants. How great the risk is Im not too sure but its a risk non the less.

As for the turtle even better to get a bigger tank. That 20g is to small for him. Im looking at a 55g tank and just getting more goldfish for the 20.

It's a holiday here so I'm not at home for a few days. Please god no leaks or overflows.

As for salmonella I could loose a few pounds, but not worth it for family.