Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

I've been a long time stalker, first time poster on this forum, and I can see that there are many members on here that are located in Thailand, which is great as I may need your advice(s).

Well, sometime last year I started a small test system after randomly found out a bout aquaponics online, thinking that it's too good to be true I had to find out. Anyway that system was sort of a success, the mint I planted got everywhere (in the grow bed, in the pipe, in the pump, in the sub tank, everywhere...) and the tilapia were eating each other (wasn't a pretty site). So learning from my experience and mistake, I find that it is now time to set up a proper system, with no mint or tilapia (for now).

The current system is a simple IBC system with the grow bed (approx. 200 L using expanded clay) on top of the fish tank (approx. 400 L). I've just started cycling on Monday with 5 fish (ปลากราย:clown knifefish) and just planted a few plants that I got from the garden shop. I also have just start up some seedlings hoping that by the time it's big enough to be transplant the system should already be cycled (fingers crossed).

Here are some pics:







So far my system PH is at 8.2, NH3 is at 0 (my test kit range seems to be very wide going up by only 1), no kit for NO2 or NO3- yet.

The plant at the moment seems a bit yellow so I've ordered some chelated iron which should be delivered next week. I would like to know how much I would need to put in the system, and do I just put it in the fish tank or in the grow bed?

Also can anyone find an alternative to Seasol or Maxicrop here in Thailand, as I really have no I idea what to use instead for plants nutrient during the start up as I find that everything here have some sort of chemical that they may not label and that may kill the fish.

Any advice will be appreciated and thank you in advance. Will keep posting updates.

Cheers

Welcome Kitty! It looks like you are off to a great start!

Hi Kitty,
Looking like a sweet little system!
I'm also in Bkk and getting ready to get my 1st system online. I have my tanks, growbeds, etc... but wanted to do some IBC wicking beds also. Do you have a reliable source for IBC tanks?

Hello Kitty, nice neat setup to start you off, as far as I'm aware larger volumes of water are better for controlling Amonia / nutrient and pH levels, from the photos it looks like you could get another 200 litres in the fish tank. Welcome to the forum btw.

Tropical framer, We got our IBC from a plastic container shop that's on the side of the road near Big C Lad Proa for 3,200 Thb. Plus 300 Thb for delivery but we live near there maybe more if the distant is further. The IBC was used only once and is in good condition, our one had one of the ingredient that they use to make hair conditioner in them. After a good wash it was ok. You have to tell the guy that you will use them for fish and they will pick out one that is least poisonous and clean it for you. Sorry I don't have the number but the place is easy to find.I can make a map for you if you like.

Hi Kitty,Google Aquaponics Thailand I haven't used them but I have been told they stock Seasol, Wesco in Bangkok for everything else,if you phone ask for the hydroponics department,the guy speaks good English and is a pleasure to deal with. Aquaponics Thailand also has FE DPTA in stock,not sure what the price will be.
Test kits,pumps air pumps etc google Seasun Aquarium,they are in Bangkok and have a very good range with reasonable prices.Again good service and very helpful on the phone.
Good looking start by the way looking forward to your progress

Hi Kitty,
Thanks for the location. I'm pretty close to Chatuchak so nearby but of course that intersection is never convinient. Still that's a fair price I think if they wash it out for you.
I'm getting some towers, seasol and iron delivered from Aquaponics Thailand tomorrow but don't plan on having my system going for another 2 weeks or so, so we'll have to wait until then to see if the iron turns the water red as happened to Dasboot.
What are you guys doing for fill and drain time? Because of the heat out here I was thinking to fill and drain every 30 min as opposed to the standard once every 45min that seems like a lot of people do.
I'm no expert but I think for your set up you would like to add the iron in your growbed where the water flows in. This is to help it dissolve and avoid shocking the fish (so I've read).

Hi Tropical Farmer,good to see another in the land of smiles.
If the Iron is FE DPTA,no red issues at all,but you need to shade your fish tank as it doesn't like the sun, add the iron into the water no problems were ever observed from the fish,( not that I could see them ) my grow beds through the hot season I run constant flow through the day and timed flood and drain through the night,this helps keep the media temp down,the surface will still get hot in full sun but 50% shade cloth will help with that,Try to keep your pipe work out of direct sun or insulate. Perfect water temp is 22c-24c,with a thermometer you can easily monitor this and adjusted flow,timings shade cloth etc to try to achieve this.
For two good videos on Iron in your system youtube has videos by Nate Story I think his name he does a great explanation.

With your new system don't be to quick to add to the water,let your system show you,there are so many variables when you first start, Patience is the best additive we have

What fish are you thinking of using ?

Kitty, I just noticed you are using clear tubing on your inlet,this will fill with Algae very quick in our sunshine, plus shade both your fish tank and grow bed for the same reason.

Thanks dashboot, will cover that up ASAP, also will get some cover for the whole system soon.

Tropical Farmer, at the moment because I'm still cycling it's on constant flood, will start doing flood and drain when everything is fully cycled. What dashboot is doing with his system seem pretty ideal as it gets really hot here during the day, may try that out for myself.

Also just add the iron (FE-EDDHA), at around 2mg/L (is that too much?) and the water had turn red, not sure if it's a cause for concern. I use FE-EDDHA because after reading up they said that it's for system that has a high PH and my PH at the 7.8-8 right now. I fish seem to be fine but will see what happens, will report if anything went a-wall.

Here's a pic of the water turning red:



It's pretty scary looking, but I'm trying to keep claim and hope that everything will be ok

Hi Kitty,

That EDDHA wont hurt your fish and will do wonders for your plants.

It looks pretty red now because of the daylight on the FT, when you cover, paint or shade the FT as Dasboot suggested it will look a lot darker then and you wont see your fish for a while.

As Dasboot said you do need too do something to keep the light out to stop algae blooms.

The chelated Iron or it's colour doesn't harm the fish it just makes it very hard to see them.

I had the same problem here and even a 90% water change didn't clear the water up.

Red reminds me if those water tracing dyes. Think they are around a 1:12000. 1 liter can turn 12,000 liters of water a bright red or yellow. It breaks down under uv in a few days, but let's you know what is leaking or if plant runoff is reaching the river, lake, ground water or city water.

I gave up on EDDHA because of the clolour,your dosing is right but half it to save money your plants will show if they need more,if they do spray EDDHA at half teaspoon per gallon,this will have an almost immediate effect until you get your levels up in the water,in fact I would most probably start at a quarter of that until such time as your plants really need it.
One problem with the Red is it will deepen at the next application,I just spray mine now,this doesn't address the system lack but it has given me good results plus I get the chance to use 5 kilos of the F-in stuff.
Another point with spraying it doesn't matter what your system PH is,I reduce the water in the spray to 6.5 but the system water is 7.