Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Don is growing in buckets and might be able to do a spin off that's similar just using bucket lids with a hole around the base of the tree and a slit to the hole (to slide the lid around the plant like a collar). The slit could hold the drip tubing going to the tree in place (Hope I'm not misremembering your using drip tubing on these Don). I've read that using light reflective material under the leaves can confuse insects - might be worth a shot at a buck for 1 lid (or free if you can find them).

I saw that and thought round storage/laundry tubs:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Juv ... 6/21690858

I did leave out the plugs in the drip fittings to get more flow but it still was not enough. I think they would do better F and D.

I think the biggest secret is the water quality. Mine is not good. PH of 8.6 and higher is terrible. NOthing has worked to keep it down for any time at all except using the pond water when the rains were overflowing my pond for weeks at a time. I need a large tank and build a rain recovery system.

I just changed out the batteries in my weather station and it had 72.69 inches of rain for last year. I was surprised at the amount. So should be able to catch enough to go rain water all the way in the AP Garden. It usually reads 7.0 when I test the water caught in buckets and stuff.

wow 8.6 is high! mine is abou t8 out of the tap but would come down to about 7 in the ap system after a while.


All my trees i water with the watering can i put a capful of vinegar per 10 litres to bring ph down to about 6.5


Avocados hate neutral or alkaline soils.

That is hard to do for 1100 gallons of water then you get a big bounce back that hurts fish and plants.

It sounds like you need more ph neutral media for nitrification to naturally bring that ph down. And yes, I would flood and drain the trees, as opposed to drip.

I changed out 5 tons of gravel that tested for limestone to a neutral crushed gravel. NO change. It is still 8.4+
I started useing barley straw in bags in the fish tank. That did not work either.
I used rain water from my pond while the rainy season was on but that gave out. I have done every think i could try except moving and I dont think I will do that.

If you don't mind some tannins, perhaps add some driftwood...

What flavor of driftwood would you use? I have access to oak, red oak, cedar, sycymore, and pine and possibly some other kinds.

Whatever driftwood washes up on whatever beach you collect it from...

Oh well off to the beach... Tahiti is coming to mind.

Agreed, Tahitian driftwood is the best!

It was nice when I was there before but I did not get to dally around long enough. Had to catch a plane home.

when my new place finishes building i would like to get say 4-6 half blue barrels with gravel running flood and drain with some fruit trees going like passionfruit/kiwi/mango/avocado...things that need water but are frustrating in perth due to the heat and shitty alkaline no nutrient soil...

All trace elements are gone form the soil here

My Dwarf peach is in it's original pot and just wicks from the flood and drain system.

We got over a dozen peaches, yum.