Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey everyone this is my first real setup that I have built. It is a 40gallong fish tank with 4 turtles, 3 koi, and a pleco. I have a 41quart sterlite tub that sits above with a bell siphon, I also have a sump for 400gph. I started out with 12 green bean sprouts, 3 garlic, 2 decent sized parsely, and some onions. My tank water was cystal clear! For some reason many of my stems, then stalks began to feel hollow then limp. I tried various water cycles, like 15on/45off. 30on/30off, even on allday, off at night. but for some reason it would always end up that the roots would end up like mush, althought they were inches from where any water may be standing after the siphon shut off(drained off to about 3centimeters) I am at aloss for what to do, i now only have 2 green beans left. Any help would be much appriciated!

How much light are the plants getting? And what kinds of filtration does the system have? If the water is too clean, you may be starving your plants. If the light is to dim or the wrong frequency they could also be starving that way. If neither of those are issues, it could also be the water temperature is too high, though that's not likely. Anyone else got ideas?

Oh yeah, post pictures of it, lots if pictures!

Here is one pic from when i first set it up, I am fixing my phone so i cant get any pics right now, but that is the set up...just lest plants:l

That looks like that part is fine. What kind of lighting do you have on it? How many Watts and what color temp are your lights?

Also, I like the use of koi and turtles for nutrient supply. Very cool!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-Ame ... e/16879945
This the the exact light I am using, the room temp is also at 70f-73f, so the water temp is about 70f. Thanks! I am a reptile guy so I thought I could enfuse the two together! Turtles sure do create alot of..."nutrients" haha

I don't think that's enough light output to keep your plants happy. You'll probably need at least three of those fixtures for that grow tray. Also, what filters are you using? Chemical filters designed for fish and turtles usually absorb the things the plants need to grow. That's how they keep algae out of the water. If you are using a chemical filter you may want to switch to a bio filter media instead. This will make nutrients avaliable for your plants.

Im sure Ive read somwhere on the forum that turtles can carry a number of diseases that can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of plants produced in the same system... Salmonella being one.

Okay that sounds good I have a few 65w grow bulbs aswell, maybe that will help? I was not using any type of filter besides the sponge that catches big debris in the pond pump. do you think it could be the watering? I mean like I said I tried various cycles, what do you think would be the best on/off time? And yes they can carry that but I have had these turtles for years without any issue, but i will do further research to make sure all is safe, Thanks

I'm using 4 100w equivalent CFL daylight bulbs. Still not great for fruiting. Growing helped but still makes them a bit leggy. I used to have a turtle in mine, then removed it because it was getting to big for a 20 gal and is now in a 55 gal tank.

okay+ thanks Ill put some of my 65ws up and get some more, do u think insuficient lighting could cause them to weaken and get soggy?

Awesome! I got 2 more 65watt growlights and the 2 grean beans left are thriving! I also added some sprouting garlic 2 1/2 weeks ago and they are almost 2 1/2 feet tall!! Thanks for your help everyone!

TIME FOR PICTURES!

Oh, and I'm glad the light increase fixed your problem!