Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Got a couple hours in this morning and it was wet again damn it, sick of the mud. Aerator installed and Stage 2 ready for plumbing and media.

Keep going mate, will be worth it in the end. Getting ready to put the plastic over my structure as well. Will be glad when it is done as it is raining again as I type. Cheers

Yeah thanks mate, bloody rain is a pain in the ass.
How far away are your wicker beds and what you planning on planting in them?? I am planning some wicker beds also, was thinking of a few half cherry barrels, are planting some pumpkins, watermelons, cantelope and passionfruit.
What you planning to use to separate the gravel from the soil?? Geofab??

The new ones will be about 20 metres away, had no luck with the capsicum, peppers or eggplants in the AP so will put them in as well as bulb veggies. Need to finish the shade structure over the AP first and becomes hard when you have to depend on some one to give you a hand and this continuous rain. Certainly over it. Cheers

Damn, i have planted both capsicum and peppers in my AP system, what went wrong with them. Egg plants grow really well in dirt here so will probably just grow them that way.

Do you plan to use geofab in your wicker bed??

Not sure know a couple of others who have trouble growing them in AP as well. My PH was down at 6 during this time and I have only just got it back up to 7 after a few months.

Tomatoes grow well but fruit not setting, could be all the rain affecting the leaves and flowers. Greens, beans and siver beet as well as chives love the system. Once the cover is up and the PH is ok I will try again other wise they will all be grown in the wicking beds.

What is the lowest temperature you have had in your FT so far. You may want to get a permit and try Jade Pearch in another system just for an experiment.

What is the lowest temperature you have had in your FT so far. You may want to get a permit and try Jade Pearch in another system just for an experiment.[/quote]

16 degrees lowest recorded temp but only had water in there for a few weeks.

Permit??? Another system for experiment???

Sorry mate was a bit confused when I wrote that, some reason was placing you up in the NT.

Have used both Geotech and weedmatting in WB before. This time I think I will do what Rob from Ipswitch is doing and place a 50 mm layer of sugar cane mulch between my reservor and the soil.

Heading to bed, mind not working and I have not had any thing to drink. That maybe the problem.

Lol, yes need your 8l minimum a day remember, otherwise you can look forward to kidney stones lol.

Sugar cane mulch, mmmm it decomposes rather quickly i imaging you would have to clean out after a season???

Feeling a little stupid here, during the build i have suffered a few cuts and scratches and they have all become infected and pussy, i also have been bit ill with cold and flu symptoms. Its only just occurred to me i have been diving my hands in the FT and Sumps, digging around and planting in GB's and scrubbing the sludge off the walls of FT and Sumps etc etc. The system is nutrient rich and with egg whites stinking it out a little i imaging the system is full of all sorts of bacteria causing the infections??
Is there some precautions we should be aware of when working with AP systems?? either in general and or during cycling??

Like any gardening there is the risk of bacteria, set up a sink and tap close by. This can then be used to wash your hands at a regular period, clean the picked vegies as well as a cleaning station for the fish.

Lucus Paw Paw ointment with a bit of tea tree oil is great for cleaning up those infections. One teaspoon of PP and about five drops of tea tree oil. Small bit on band aid, replace after shower. After three days my infections are normaly clean. Cheers

Very familiar with both ingredients but not mixed together, will give it a go.
cheers

Lucus paw paw fixes everything

Who's Lucas Paw Paw... and is he any good with whipper snippers...