Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Get some Jade Perch

I do like the idea of DWC, especially after seeing Ryan's work in the Chatterson Farms thread.

Seems like it is possible to grow anything in DWC!

I briefly considered combining the bio-filter into the bottom of the DWC trough/tank but then thought it would get too messy with the furious root growth entangling the media/bio-balls whatever. Although, with a deep enough trough, and air being continually pumped up and through the media on the bottom I think it could work? Would have water coming into tank from media grow bed for solids removal, or some other form of removal (swirl filter), then have water removed from tank with tall stand pipe overflow.



Anyway, those kind of plans are for the future. Still just kicking around ideas.

My system is quite small at the moment - my tank is about 110 litres, although I will increase the total amount of water by adding another similar size as a sump I am fairly restricted by what I can make room for.

Are Jade Perch going to do well in such a small amount of water?

Still leaning towards the goldies for hardiness, but would like to get your thoughts.

My latest water tests:

Xmas Evening;


Boxing Day morning;

Some plant photos;







I think I may have knocked the parsley's roots around when I was planting him. Half of the plant just pretty well shrivelled up and died, but this bit seems to be surviving (just!).

Can anyone help me id these?

I think they are mosquito 'wrigglers' - not sure if that is the proper latin scientific name for them or not, but they are in my FT.

Is this a sign that my tank can support life? I imagine they will just be food for the fish when I get them, but is there any harm having these guys in my tank at the moment?





ps that is a standard fresh water test kit test tube they are in, for size reference.

looking good mate, when that ammonia drops to 0, the nitrites will follow within about 3-6 days and as soon as they're both at 0 again you're cycled. Any fish you add will make short work of the wrigglers you showed, be they mosquito or something else.

Yep those are mosquito wrigglers. I had them breed up in my tank after I harvested my trout and before I got my silver perch. I bought some goldfish to eat them in between fish. Now I have my SP its not a problem and the goldfish have become pets inside

Cool, thanks.

Yeah, just waiting for the ammonia to drop. Don't need to hurry it along? Just let it all develop?

There isn't really anyway to "hurry it along"....

this

[quote=RupertofOZ"]There isn't really anyway to "hurry it along".... [/quote]
But I want it cycled NOW!

I have switched to CF for a bit as I was concerned the siphon draining was getting noisy. I am ok running the siphon during the day, but I live quite close to my neighbours so do not want to annoy them.

I had been running the siphon output into a larger pipe, and that muffles the sound somewhat, but I hear CF is okay (and in some cases preferable) so I will see how that goes for me.

I won't continue to post the water tests - I think I have a handle on how to read them now

The last 3 of tests were;

26/12 PM PH: 7.8 | Am: 2.0 | Nitri: 5.0+ | Nitra: 5.0
27/12 AM PH: 7.8 | Am: 1.5 | Nitri: 5.0+ | Nitra: 10.0
27/12 PM PH: 7.8 | Am: 1.5 | Nitri: 5.0+ | Nitra: 80.0

PH seems to be quite high still. Is that something that will lower itself once the system cycles?

Nitrates are taking off, but the plants should be using some of that up, or is my PH locking some of the nutrients out at this stage?

The nitrification process is acidic so the PH will drop over time.



PH of 7.8 isnt too bad. It wont be locking out the uptake of Nitrate, mainly potassium and iron. To combat this in the early stages you can use a spoonful of chelated iron and bury a banana skin in the media. I still do this now as my PH is sitting around 7.4

Chelated iron; I'll get some tomorrow - would I get it from Bunnings?
Banana skin; I'll get one of those tomorrow too. Should I bury it lower than the water would reach, or above. Makes more sense to me if it is in the water, but I could be wrong?

Yep... Yates Chelated Iron...