Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi guys,

I have finally finished building my 1st AP system and would appreciate either some advice or a link or 2 on where to obtain some info on desired levels of PH, Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia etc... as well as whether I should be adding anything else to the system besides fish food to supply the plants (ornamental AND vegetables) with everything they'll need to thrive.

I am appreciative of any information those of you with experience are happy to share.

I have been reading as much as I can, but find there seems to be as much misinformation on the web as there is information.

I am in South East Queensland (Brisbane) Australia, the fish that are in the pond at the moment are several Mollies, and a few small Danios, 1 small Pleco and 2 small yabbies...These have been happily living in the 340L Poly/Railway Sleeper pond for approx 2 months now after transferring them from a tank that I bought from a friend. The pond has a Purple Nymphaea (Water-lilly) and few small water plants in it (helped sell the concept to the girlfriend, gotta look pretty right?)

The growbeds are 2x54L plastic tubs, filled with Canna expanded clay balls. The tubs are interconnected with PVC pipe with 1 Auto-syphon that drains approximately every 9 minutes, I made a filter from a smaller plastic tub that contains 1/3 clay balls and 1/3 black filter sponge, with the other 1/3 at the inlet stage to allow the water to agitate....

The filter is fed with 12x13mm inlet and has 2x 13mm outlets each supplying one of the growbeds with a "ring" style trickle (tap before each ring at the growbeds)

I will post a few pictures to help understand the setup more clearly.

I am 100% new to this and any information no matter how "commonsense" it may seem to any of you would be appreciated.

I have an API freshwater master kit to measure PH, Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia etc...

I ultimately would like to grow some veges and herbs - Basil, lettuce, rocket, capsicum, cucumber and tomato if that's not too ambitious for the space in my growbeds.

I also would like to expand the system by adding 1 more 54L growbed if that isn't asking too much of the system I have.

Many thanks in advance!

Stevie

Welcome Stevie, seems your well on your way. A wide range of PH will work fine but ideally you want to be between 6.2 - 7.8, at the lower end would be best as more nutrients are available. All other tests should be zero although it's not uncommon to have readings of nitrates, this is ok as long as it's not over 400 for lengths of time as it's said this can effect fish health. What feed are you using? And yes, pics will help explain your set up so we can further help.

Thanks Charlie!


I am currently feeding the fish (mentioned in above post) small 2mm floating pellets...

I recently purchased several smallish (for now) Red Oscars, at the moment they're in a 200l tank but won't be able to stay in there too long as they'll grow fast so I'll give a few away etc... I was thinking of putting some of them into the AP Pond and transferring the current pond fish back into the tank....Just wondering if anyone's tried keeping oscars in a pond with lillys?

Will they destroy the lilly pads???

Pics to follow I promise...Just gotta figure out how to get them under 2mb!?!

I'm not sure about the plants but if you put the Oscars in, you can kiss the molly's goodbye I think. By the way Oscars are supposed to be pretty good eating.

The water plants will probably take up most of your nutrients for now. Be aware of this when you try to add lettuce and other plants. You may have to thin or remove water plants.

Cheers