Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yeah I bought a cap today and a t to add on to the end of the drain to act as a vent so hopefully it will be a much more peaceful night :-) I added ammonia last night as well so I am gonna test today and see where I am at with that too. Going to start up some seeds in the hopes that my cups will be here soon

So I am up and running and so are you. Who else can we convince to build a system? I want to drag more people in Nebraska down with us haha

Well now I have to build my outdoor system and my parents systems. But I think I am gonna take a min before I start up again plus I have to start building my soil gardens next.

Ph went down a bit looks more like 8.4
Ammonia at about 4-5ppm
0 nitrates or trites as expected

Going to try to get a few more filter pads to try and help it along.


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Looking good there CRF. How big is your sump and do you have it plumbed with house water through a float valve? If I'm understanding your system correctly, you'll need to keep the sump topped off to keep the system working. I'm loosing 4+ gallons a day due to evaporation and plant up-take.

Hi CRF! What are you using for liner? Sorry if you mentioned it in your thread, I didn't see it.

GN no I just fill it up for now, they sump can hold about 25 gals, and it can get as low as 5 gal. I have a lot of surface area too so I will probably lose a little more than that.

KT the makers are suncrest it is a 20mil 12x12 sheet I got it on clearance at a menards which I doubt you guys have in Cali. I have two nice extra pieces about 6 ft wide by 12 ft. So I am sure I am going to be building some more beds soon

Oh yeah bubbling noise fixed added the on the end of the sump pipe still bubbles a bit but not like it did also keeping the sump level higher helped out a bit too. Got the email today my net pots on the way. The kids and I planted some seeds last night lollo red lettuce, romaine, and butter crunch. Also got some basil cilantro rosemary and lemon balm going too. So hopefully this weekend we will have some plants in. I am thinking I am going to go get a tank heater because my water temp is pretty cold to the touch prob about 55-60f just guessing. And inside its not going to get much heat during the days.

I am interested to find out how much water you will need to add daily. I am losing about 1-2 gallons a day just due to evaporation and that is with no plant uptake at all. That is scary.

OK well I had some time before work today and got one side of the rafts done.







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I filled the cups with a media called grow stones. They use recycled glass to make the material. Its like a pumice very good at wicking.



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Ok so something that kinda cracks me up and pisses me off... so I was testing my water a couple days ago and knock the test tube on the floor, didn't break. Thought to my self damn those things are pretty freaking strong....two min later did it again, this time not so lucky... But I called my local Hydro shop and they sell replacement tubes but still the irony.

P.G. has them? I asked a few weeks ago and they weren't even carrying the test kits at that time. They asked what we use and I wrote down "API Freshwater Test Kit" on a piece of paper for them. Maybe they ordered some in. Hopefully - I need a couple of tubes myself.

I called him today and he said "the little 5mil tubes with white plastic tops" I was like yup he goes yeah we have those in I am going in tomorrow so i will let you know.

I can solve your noise issues and help you increase your pump head height, all for 3 easy payments of $19:95 a week


More seriously, put the pump into the end GB. This will fix your noises, reduce points of possible failure (leaks etc) and help with head height