Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

You have some pretty fish, Mon

Thanks Charlie.

They would be prettier if the water quality wasn't so bad.

Now that I've got the grow beds, filter and UV running then things can only get better.

I won't be harvesting these koi, carp, comets anbd goldfish! The AP system was mainly put in to improve the water quality of the pond for the fish. If I can get some fruit and veg out of it then that will just be a bonus!

Cheers,

Mon

Are we sure plants won't get rid of the tannins? Because I would swear that my water varies from tan to clear.

Hi Ron,

I'm not sure. I'm guessing. I thought it was just like dye and the only way to get rid of it was to replace the water since it cannot be filtered out?

Cheers,

Mon

Hi,

This is one of the tubs I'm using to help filter the pond water:



This basically has the following setup (from top to bottom)

1 barley straw
2 fine filter media
3 net pot
4 fine filter medai
5 netpot (upside down)
6 stand pipe

I normally clean up the fine filter material at 4, but usually leave the one at 2.

Today I opened (unfolded) up the fine filter material at two and this is what I found.

These are water louse, or asellus (asellus aquaticus). There are a load of these fellas throughout my pond. They are very good at processing the dead plant matter and detritus in the pond:



I don't know what type/kind of small and thin worms these are. They obviously like processing the detritus too:



Does anybody know what these worms are? I don't believe they are red wrigglers, if that is what you are thinking, as they seem too long and very thin.

I think they might be tubifex worms?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubifex_tubifex


Cheers,

Mon

Hi Solarmon

Earthworms have a "Clitellum". These are thickened section of the body towards their head. It is quite distinctive.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clitellum

You may be able to inspect one closer up!




PS - great system!

Hi Gabe,

Thanks, but I don't think they are earthworms, or red wrigglers - not even baby ones - or blood worms.

From what I can find out, they seem to be tubifex worms, also known as sludge worms. This makes more sense as they like to live in and eat sludge/waste, which is what the fine filter material is building up with.

Cheers,

Mon

Hi,

I read somewhere else and on these forums that using activated charcoal helps remove tannins.

I'll see if I can get some, if it is not too costly. I'd rather try this than do water changes. I've got a few sweet chestnut trees around the pond so the pond does tend to collect leaves (and catkins) which are what mainly leaches the tannins.

Cheers,

Mon

Hi,

Just a few update pictures of my setup.

The Pak Choi is doing well - especially one of them:



The middle grow bed is also doing well. Maybe I should harvest the rocket!:



I transplanted some more tomato and strawberry in the right growbed:

Strawberries coming along nicely:



The sweet pepper has flowered and seems to be fruiting:



And the tomato is starting to flower too:

Also, today I noticed the fish were spawning and could see lots of eggs sticking to the string algae and hornwort. Looks like I will be getting lots of fries soon.

I'm a bit worried that they will end up as worm fodder in the grow beds...

Will need to think of something to stop them finding their way to the grow beds.

Cheers,

Mon

Looking good Mon, wish my strawberries were looking so healthy!

Hi,



Thanks BiF. It's not much, but it is improving my pond water quality - and that is the priority for me at the moment.

I have now uploaded an update Youtube video on my channel:




Cheers,

Mon

That's an amazing difference Mon, and you have so many pretty fish!

Hi,

I'm not very happy.

Found this on the floor by my grow bed yesterday! No fruit damage, just decapitated:



Looks like some fat-arsed wood pigeon has been tramping all over my grow bed and caused some damage on the pak choi :



And decided to have a peck at the strawberries at the same time:



Also found a big dollop of bird poo on the fine filter material on the right hand grow bed - didn't stop to take a picture of it. So the system has been dosed/infused with water cooled pigeon poo for some time.

Cheers,...not!

Mon