Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thats what I am feeding right now, Sportsman Choice High Protein. I might switch as well, haven't made it by the feed store to see if they are a Purina dealer

If you go to the root of the site with the pdf link there's a purina dealer finder by zip code.

Thanks Cotton, I will check it out

Some of the seeds I planted, that I plan on transferring to towers are starting to germinate. Never though I would see the day I was starting seeds in gravel





When do y'all add worms to your system?

You can add worms anytime.. they are good at regulating their own numbers depending on available food.. once they are in they will move everywhere. I find them in my flooded tubes and sumps and towers

First great looking system. What part of east Texas are you. I live near Crockett.


There are many ways to solve the issue of pumping the tank dry. I just put the tank above the bottom of the tank a foot or so and used pvc to go to the bottom. Then I drilled some small holes just below the pump. If the water gets pumped below the holes air will get sucked in and the pump will not have a suction.

That would stop the tank pumping dry, however he would still have the possible problem of damage to the pump from it running dry.

Well the tank with the pump can run dry no matter how you hook it up, better to save the fish and loose the pump, than loose the fish and the pump. Those float switches tend to stay in one position for years, and can fail, just like anything else.

Well I made some additions for the mean time and then have to take a break for a while to tend to outdoor garden.

Moved a 330 gal fish tank inside the shop to keep fish out of heat during extreme summer temps. It usually stays 15 degrees or so cooler in the shop, so maybe it will help some



Made an overflow to sump that works great just incase something were to fail



Converted old fish tank into another grow bed, had to elevate it more than I like but was the only way I would have clearance for the pipes from the siphon



Everything else is growing like crazy and have my first strawberry coming in

Looking good.

seems everything is still going good. PH is still high but could of been my well water or the gravel

No PH in the photo cause apparently when I shake a test tube "vigorously" to me, that means chunk it across the shop

I have lost 2 because of my cat thinking the table I put near the fish tank when I do the test is good to jump on.

I have not done a water test in over 6 months, I probably should.

Don't worry to much about the PH. Mine has been over 8 for 2 years, and everything is doing just fine. I have not checked my water in at least 5 months.

Alright finally got the towers done, which means I think most of the construction is complete expect for adding pump shut offs



also through a few worms in each bed

Great build East

Everything is growing like crazy.... except for the new bed, guess it has to cycle for a while

these guys were 2-3" 3 weeks ago





Got some work done on the outdoor garden, weed protection fabric plus mulch to hold moisture



Thought I had a pump issue last night, turns out it was electrical, but in the process I broke the inlet to the pump. I was able to use a dremel and rig it for now, and have new better pump on the way. Which I needed



A new friend showed up in the shop while I was doing the rigging process..... guess he is here to stay for the time being till he finds another female in heat



Watermelon, cantaloupe, corn and okra rows



oh and the trellis is for grapes

Let the chickens do a little free ranging tonight with close supervision without building them a run first



Tank kept them in check



And he is still here