Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Another thing to keep in mind. Roots tend to clog things, fish waste will clog things, algae will clog things and...well... flow changes over time. You can always adjust/clean water coming in from above GB's. Once your siphon and gravel guard are in, it is hard to change. That was my big mistake and I can't change it without tearing down beds and pulling plants.

Yea, making the stand pipes removable so you can adjust or clean them is really helpful.

Out of all of the plumbing, there is only one bend from the on pump that is glued. Everything else is not. We made some changes since the last photos. The drain pipes going into the GB's are longer so there is no splashing. We added the clay media to most of the trays. Our last 3 bags needed is on back order and should be in a week. And the last change was the fish, we got 4 koi's for each pool. These are still small at this time, and when the get too big i will add them to the other koi pond we have. My other fish are a foot or more in length.
I will post some pictures later for any changes you think should happen.
TY everyone!

Rairdog, what is the best way to clean any algae growth on any parts of the AP system? I ask this because one year, my koi pond I decided to vacuum the walls of the liner and made the water look like pea soup and had a massive algae bloom. Where as prior never had an algae issue and never had to treat or use a uv lamp. Since that time I've had to have a uv lamp on during the warmer months.

Here is the almost final set up. The remaining media will come today and the fish doing fine. have to open the door during the day since the greenhouse reaches over 100 degrees but 99% there. Any input from anyone of things that need to be changed?

Hi Holly,

Greenhouse is getting there, keep at it.

You can reduce the humidity by partially covering the tanks but make certain the fish are getting enough air.
Anyone who's ever had a greenhouse knows they can be humid but having too high humidity can cause plant disease problems and when the greenhouse cools at night you'll sometimes get cold water dripping off the ceiling onto the plants which is also bad news. If you haven't done this already, installing an air circulation fan can reduce condensation.

Looks like your tank against the back wall is slightly out of level, might be worth working on unless it's what you want (like for overflow). Might want to live with it, if working on it will stress the fish.

For most people shading the tanks takes care of any major algae problems as TCL mentioned. As far as the media beds are concerned, a little algae is ok as long as it's not plugging up the bed.

Shadecloth for the greenhouse is a must have item in most climates during the Summer. The percent shade will depend on your climate and what you grow.

Cheers

yes that will for next summer to install a fan. Now the humidity is between 40-60% and I just installed the temperature regulating roof louver openers that will help a little. In the summer I know will be a problem when the humidity here is high enough along with the heat..
The back tank is a bit off but there is a root system that was so obnoxious, the cosmetic look did not bother enough to dig a foot deeper and use a chain saw.
This is definitely a work in progress and have had a lot of fun with it so far, well maybe not the digging.. Lol!
Only wish I could have a year round outdoor system, with a larger pool, but its sort of hard to grow plants in the snow

Doesn't sound like you'll be using the greenhouse in the Winter but just in case - the condensation on the ceiling is usually more of a Winter problem because the air outside is cold while the inside air is warm so the air inside that's along the walls and ceiling condenses unless you keep it moving. I look forward to seeing your progress your system reminds me a bit of the one I have (only you have a larger greenhouse). Haven't updated the pics for awhile but here's the link.

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9511&hilit=scotty%27s+second+system

Scotty435, thank you, I never thought of that. The dead of winter I am not sure how much I will be using the greenhouse. Will probably just experiment and see what is possible. Long Island weather can be unpredictable. They are predicting this year will be our worse winter on record. Well they were also wrong with the hurricane predictions, good thing! We have had many winters here with a few inches of snow and temps in the high 30's as being the coldest for a few weeks. There were also many winters I was walking the beach in a tee in February with temps hitting 60.

Yea your setup in very similar to mine, do you have any current pic's on hand? how was your success with it and what fish do you have?

I have broccoli, lettuce, chard and spinach started with walla walla and kale seeds on the way. All of which can handle a light frost, thrive in cool weather and mature in 1 to 2 months which should get by until Dec in our zones.

I used some landscaping fabric for temp shade cloth until spring. It was getting near 100f in the GH on mid 70's sunny days. My toms and peppers dropped flowers and did not fruit. It can also raise tank temps which require more oxygen. My tank is indoor so temp is cooler and no algae problems.

Sorry no current pics I left my camera in the glove box and apparently a connection melted, just haven't bothered to get it fixed or find a new one. I have one that I don't think has been posted though -



There have been some changes since this was taken. I added a twinwall lexan cover for the fish tank to keep leaves and birds out but fish in. I removed two growbeds in the greenhouse so I could access the tanks beneath the tubs. I added a diy solar water heater made with CPVC which helps but isn't the evacuated kind which would be better. I changed the SLO to be more of a center drain which really helps with checking the fish and their condition because they can't hide under the pipe.

Plants are doing great, fish not as well. I have catfish and bluegill. The catfish have what I believe is Enteric Septicemia so I've been losing the occasional one since I first acquired them and they don't appear to be thriving the way they should although I do have some that are big enough to harvest. The bluegill are fingerlings that I got three weeks ago and they are doing well, no losses.

As far as the plants, I still have the Lemon grass, parsley and chives that I started in the system two years ago. The parsley could easily be divided since it has taken over most of one of the outdoor beds in spite of our using it (I've also harvested lemon grass and restarted it but it's taken over it's corner in the greenhouse and needs to be harvested again). I've planted Kale, Chard and Leeks and shallots to finish out the outdoor beds where the asparagus, parsley and chives are. Indoors there are two tomato plants which I've let sprawl, some peppers, basil and the lemon grass (keep in mind this is only 6 X 8 ft). I have some brocolli growing in pots that I'll put into the greenhouse once the tomatoes start looking like they've had it. Might start some onions, garlic and more shallots this Fall for next years crop but not certain where I want them. I also have a thread on wicking beds and gutter gardens that might give you some ideas. The gutter gardens warm up sooner than the AP so helps me get going earlier in the season. I've found the wicking beds are great for carrots but pretty much can grow anything (I'd do the reservoirs for these like DecalsbyJT or FoodandFish, sand is a better wick and milk cartons give you a larger reservoir). Here's my thread - http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=13622&p=351416&hilit=scotty%27s+wicking#p351416

One other thing, if your greenhouse uses clips to secure the lexan panels you can use window screen kits to make screens that replace the lexan in the Summer for better ventilation in the greenhouse.