Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello.

I have both hydro and aqua systems in the same balcony. The tomato were bought as seedlings about a month and half ago, and they are 30cm tall now.
I use drip system with hydroton and rockwool as growing media.
I used to water 15 mins each every hour.. but started to see them willted. I have reduced the watering time to 15 mins each 2 hours and the samething. Now I reduce that to 3 times (15 mins each time) per day.. but feel that the branches are weak!
Any suggestion?
Oh, the flowers of the tomato plants were dropping dry, but now there are no any new Flowers.

I flood and drain constantly with no off times. I use liquid seaweed as a nutrient booster and get no abnormal weakness. (tomato plants always have to be supported). I would be looking more into the nutrient profile you are giving the plants in lieu of watering times.

Umm....if they are wilting shouldn't you be watering more?

I definately agree with Stu on this. I think you are headed in the wrong direction with your watering times. Tomato plants do not have a rigid stem. They are always flexible which is why they need to be supported.

Yeah, as above, can't be too much water - my system runs on constant flood and the tomatoes are healthy and thriving.

How many liters per hour do you irrigate?

My pump runs 24/7. I flood and drain with bell siphons. They take about 10 min to fill then it drains which takes about a min, and repeats.

Try increasing your watering times and add some liquid seaweed to your system.

There are several things you can do, first off, I would make sure your root system is in an ideal location. That is, make sure your roots aren't either too submerged or not getting enough water. Secondly, tomatoes are very light hungry, so I would make sure they are getting adequate light. Finally, I would assess the nutrient load of your current system. If the system isn't producing enough waste to feed the plants, you might want to consider either adding more fish, increasing how much you feed them, or lessening the plant load. Best of luck!

Same here.

I think I know the problem.. first: my system has aphids
Second: I have sprayed it with tobacco water, which I found later that it can cause diseases to the plant.
Third the ec measure was 2.6 - 2.8; which is too much.
I am going to treat the aphids and the tobacco problem. And lower ec to 1.6.

Sounds good?

That would be a good place to start but you need to up your watering schedule also. Tomato plants are very thirsty.