Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hey colours I'm going to start my system over from the beginning going to dump out all my nutrient water to zero everything and document my findings.

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Majority rules?

most of the time yea. but im really trying to get different views. I'm really researching it indepth because there is alot of hidden information that the successful ppl aren't willing to share. and I try to share everything I kno. because its simply the person I am. so I'm dumping the system to start over from scratch to see want I had missed out. all inputs are encouraged. I'll start a thread as soon as I start

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But cookie what's wrong with yr system? I was about to head that way myself but decided against it cause I wanted to be forced to learn what was going on.

Is yr system covered? If not what is yr average rainfall where you are?

no thats not the problem really. whats the issue I have is dat I don't get consistent results. I will get one crop coming very well.. den not so well results after. I hear alot of ppl say that they only feed their fishes and that all. but are they telling the truth or is it something they are hiding. when coming to nitrates when and what level is too much or too little. coming to calcium and potassium do we really need to supplement and if so at what rate and for how long. can it come a point that the nutrients in the water can start burning the plants and whats that point. these sort of things I really wat to find out. and I was hoping that someone will help me out along des lines.

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This is kind of what I was saying about biological systems. You can help them out but they pretty much run their own show. I think the best way is to monitor the plants and check the signs. If the nitrate is adequate they should grow well. If they aren't growing well there is probably a micronutrient/trace element deficiency and you need to diagnose it just like you would a person.

If there is a pest infestation there is probably a weakness in the plant due to the above which could be remedied, just like disease in people. In permaculture we feed the soil, not the plant.

As for people holding back on info I personally don't think so. Some on the forum don't tolerate laziness or fools (ie if they had to do the research you can too). I've generally found them to be very helpful. Need to look at their motives, if they were in direct competition with you maybe but they're not.

And like I said happy to do a face to face in Barbados...,

point taken and dats y I'm starting over. to do said research.

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But you shouldn't need to start over... What are your measurements? Maybe do a 20% change but figure out yr deficiency and fix that?

sacrifices must sometime be made for others to benefit. I'm willing to do it.

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I personally would not start over. "New" is the worst time for an aquaponic system. How long has your system been running?

no I have two separate systems. but both of them was online for bout a yr. it was a bit longer but rain did a number on them. but I'm going to just feed the fishes and see what I get from it. DWC I'm doing. but is a bio filter really needed if u never read ammonia or nitrite in your reading...?

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I wouldn't think so, that's all the biofilter does. I wouldn't start over either and you won't teach any of us anything by doing that.

lol I know u all are very well experts but its just to teach myself. btw any level of nitrates to aim for...?

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I'm still learning that myself. Apparently if there are any nitrates the plants will use them. Too much will make them leggy and prone to disease. What actually happens is the cells elongate. So although they are bigger and you get more by the kg because they contain more water you aren't necessarily getting better nutritional value and they are easier targets for sap suckers etc.

I got ok growth at 10, better at 20-30. I'm now at 50 and not growing at all but as we discovered that's because my potassium was out of balance cause I'd been buffering with calcium only.

Take some time to read thru the forum, there is everything you need to know. Use the search function. There are so many people with similar probs. but starting over will only be a temporary solution. Like the Buddhist saying, don't let a disaster be a wasted opportunity. And ask questions. You will be helping people out in the future, that's what forums are all about.

Best of luck

If you are doing DWC, solids removal becomes important. Otherwise your roots will get covered in muck, and they suffocate.