Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Had a look at the other barrel & there are no markings Bear so at a guess would say its 60+L but not 80.. Bit smaller than I thought..





Very soaked here.. 60+mm since Saturday so I have a few mm to spare mantis

Having a few problems with water clarity at the moment




The issue started before the filter went in, new air & water pumps were connected & the feed changed so am at a bit of a loss as to what is going on at the moment.. We did have a load of rain through the system a few weeks back though, not sure if it is an issue..
Fish appear to be eating fine & looking healthy... Cannot see any lesions on them..

Ammonia trace to .25
Nitrites trace
Nitrates high
pH 6.5 - 7


Many thanks to all..

Rob my water is a bit murky as well, just think it is the amount of rain going through the system. Thank you for the information. Cheers

I think I overreacted slightly Bear & have let people know on the clip..
It is algae just never seen it brown & murky like this so it threw me a bit... Realised that it will be the tannins from the Ridleys feed that will be making it slightly off colour.. Trust me old man to set me straight once more..

Yep... Ridleys certainly "stains" the water....

Ridley's believe it or not!

Yep... Lesson learned..

Still not 100% sure as to what caused the murk.. Was told how to test for algae using pH & it showed that there was no large algae bloom at that time... Thanks Paul...
Might have something to do with the new pump & the increased amount of water that is going through the beds which in turn could be dislodging all the built up fine solids.. Might also have something to do with the rain What ever caused it I have learned more about water quality, algae monitoring & also that I shouldn't stress so much


Attempted to make up a small "water polishing" sock style filter but not to sure how well it will work at removing the solids..


It is filled with medium shell grit so that should also help buffer the pH which will really be its major roll.. I think the fine solids would clear up slowly if left alone but am hoping this will help as well..
It is sitting under the outflow from the solids filter at the moment..

Am also tweaking the flow rate for the radial filter as I think the water is flowing through to quick at the moment & not allowing enough solids to settle...

The plant growth has gone ballistic over the past week though so something must be going right

Looking good mate, had trouble with my pump last week and as a result mr grow beds emptied into the sump. Amazing the amount a particle's that were flushed out. Raining heavy here. Cheers

It's all looking good Bob...

Have you sorted out the pump yet Bear ??
The rain is not that heavy here but constant..
29mm since it started..
Stay dry Bear..


Thanks Rupert
Just saw your clip, quite a bit of damage here Rupert..

Did you check out the two vids (and photos) that I just posted of Seven Mile Beach....

Just had a look at the second clip Rupert...

Sorted the pump out but may have to look at another style of pump. We have had 120 mm here since last night and more to come, cheers

Thought I posted this the other day but didn't..
It's an update clip on the water quality of the system..



Is looking much clearer now & think we have it all sorted