Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Time for an update.....

Have added 2 more grow beds to serve the dual purpose of more filtration and protection for the FT...not yet filled with media as the extra plumbing seems too much for the pump and the water is struggling to get to all the wall pots. Going to try changing the pipes to 13mm (currently 19mm) to see if it helps, otherwise may have to only add 1 extra grow bed...



Also added 2 air stones off an ac/dc pump... Should be plenty of air now...


Have started building a frame to go around the whole thing to make sure it meets the wife's "visually appealing" criteria! The frame is done and painted up to provide extra protection from the weather....will be clad with jarrah decking this coming weekend if all goes to plan!


Photos of growth rates and water tests to follow....

Water tests.... Only got the test kit on Saturday, so only 2 tests done so far... 2 days apart with the last one done today.

The system has been cycling with 4 very small bronze comets (goldfish) for 8 days now... Here are the test results.

Saturday's test showed nitrites and nitrates good. Ammonia was about 2.0 (looks more like 1 in the photo) and ph about 8.


Today's test still shows nitrite and nitrate at 0, ammonia has dropped slightly (the light wasn't as good for the photo so it looks a bit higher) but ph has risen to 8.2

Haven't fed the fish for 2 days to help with ammonia, but other than that...I have no idea what to do to get the water levels right...happy to get advice on this from anyone...even if it's just to be patient, would appreciate the knowledge fro others on this.

Excellent work SS - looks great!

Thanks FM. I'm learning heaps and having a blast so hopefully there will be heaps more to come!

Be patient ,I say. Looking like a very neat and productive system What do you feed your fish?

Growth update after 9 days...

Carrot seeds showing signs of life


Herbs

Lettuce

Broccoli

Capsicum & chilli

Cherry tomatoes

Thanks seamonkey. Just a basic goldfish pellet from the local aquarium shop for now...should I change this?

I feed mine the same feed that I give my silver perch. Its a floating pellet which has all the goodies in it for AP plant growth. I just crush the 3mm pellets for my goldies and they love it.

Thanks... I'll grab som and see if the plan growth improves

Re pump overload. I would have just had the wall containers drain into the bottom grow beds. They would in turn drain into the fishtank.

That's the back up plan Ronmaggi, but I'll lose a bi of growing space if I do so want to avoid it if possible.

It would be a good idea to change over to a higher quality food. BYAP have it cheap as chips, check the store.

Patience is all you need now. A cap full of seasol every week or 2 will help to kick your plants off too.

How will you loose grow space by draining your wall hangers into your new grow beds? I cant see the photos of them for some reason...

Just the design of the hanging grow beds with the space i have... There will only be about 30-40mm of clearance between the new gb and the hanging gb for the back 70-80mm of the new gb's....so it just this length along the back that I will lose... With the 2 gb's it's about 1200mm x 80mm

Is the seasol foliage spray just as good?

Will have to get to BYAP this weekend I think....