Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

smaller scale but just something fun to do.

This is my 35 gallon fish tank that my koi fish have completely out grown. When I got them they were about 1/2" at the pet store. The store bought fish filter was crap and clogged constantly so I built my own.

there are two pumps in the tank both are harbor freight 264 gallon pumps. The one in the front is pushing water to the top gravel bed and is on a 45 minute timer. there is another inside the 4" pipe pulling water through a series of scrubber pads(cotton/synthetic and charcoal). the water is always clear but also always tinged green.

I can't keep the air stones where I want them the big guy picks them up and moves his house how he wants it.

plants were not successful on their own they kept getting long and stringy so I rigged up a hydro light over them after my first set failed.

Now I got this light from a garage sale for ten bucks and put a new light in it everything seems to be working. I know there are two different bulbs an HPS and a MH bulb so which one should I have in there? currently installed is a HPS. Might have to rig a shield next becuase the light is massive coming off that thing.

P.s for those more exp in this it's 2 feet off the tops of the plants.

new pictures only 3 days after adding the grow light

I would go with the metal halide
It's a much brighter light and more blue white in comparison to the hps which is a yellow colour. I think you would see much better growth from a MH

+1 for the Lego Pirate ship

hmm have to visit the local hydro shop and get the other. The only thing is that they can be pricey.
And yea that is my lego pirate ship which is currently on display safe from all my children that want to watch daddy's ship crash into the rocks at the hands of the sea monsters!

True leaves have come about and they are growing steady might stick with the HPS if the cost is too high on the MH.

update:09/04/2012

thinned the massive amount of starts might have to do some more.....
scotch bonnet that was dieing seems to have made a recovery and has a ton of new growth.
giant bell peppers are putting on a lot of leaves.

update: 09/11/2012
Plants(bell pepper seeds from a pepper at the supermarket) are developing flowers and will be blooming within the week, I think. I had to do some work on the air-stones they had cracks in them so I took off the ends and put some hot glue to plug up the ends that were exposed. The boards that were in the first few photos have been removed due to mold growth. I didn't need spores in the house. The glass top seems to be supporting the tray without problems though I have considered replacing the supports with a metal rack and moving the whole setup to the porch/ Florida room. The scotch bonnet hybrid has rebounded and is showing Very Fast growth. The scotch bonnet is the stick/spindly looking plant in the 2nd page posts. I also got a few pictures of the root growth through the Rubbermaid container. There was a film of green goo on rock bed right before everything exploded in growth. I have not adjusted the light distance from the container since I started using it.

Think I should add worms? might be a hoot.

yes, add a few red wigglers into your gb

Awesome growth there...

I really need to get a hydro light....

since those photos they are looking like they are getting taller by the day.... I planted herbs under the big plants and they are already trying to come through the canopy. I would check craigslist if you have it in Aussie world they pop up pretty cheap around the college town .... not inferring anything from that last statement... :/

picked up a FREE 90 gallon aquarium tonight off Craigslist! have to youtube how to put new seals on it.

update with photos:

Keep forgetting to get worms on the weekends so no additions there.
The light is still going on from 5am to 8pm sometimes until 10pm depends when I remember to go to bed.
There is noticeable growth increase from indoor production.
The shock of transplants to the outside set them back a week.
still the same 3 Koi feeding the test rig.

Attempted to place used onions red, yellow, and white in the system and they TOOK,,, pictures to follow.

planted herbs in the substrate to see if they could eek it out under the pepper plants which some have. I think it's the cilantro.