Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I tried the aphid concoction Tom spoke of and it worked but leaves a mess on windows and such. Now I just rub them off with fingers and stay on top of them. The ant aphid farmers are bad here so I put traps out.

For you next project LOL...take the AC units and build a walk in deer cooler with a coolbot controller. Put you FT in there and keep it at 70 or so. Then you can drop the temp to 38 for hanging a deer. It's on my to-do list.

Thats all I have been doing so far, seems to be working, havent seen many more

The last thing I need is another project but its not a bad idea. Maybe for the time being I can just build an insulated frame around it with ducting from the window unit.

We will see

Interesting thread, waiting to see how the summer effects the system.

Well through this together tonight, was going to do more for the others in the green house, but Ace doesnt sell 1x2s and this was the last of what I left from the coop



Here are the root systems growing in the towers. The roots are suppose to be completely white, but I think the tint comes from the gravel I use for media





The cukes on are the top row, I will build a trellis for them to climb across soon as the shade cloth is here. I called to check on it today and the lady handling my order was off. So will update tomorrow.

The cukes grow about one new leaf a day


Had a friend come over and join the party, hopefully will be a helpful friend



If you look closely I planted a seed for RAB



Not to much longer



But in other news, my ammonia is starting to rise. I was waiting for this, to much feeding and way to many fish. So I am going to cut the feeding down to every 2-3 days and probably take 1/3 of the fish out this weekend

Thats looking really good!
Even if you cut the feeding at least you seem to be having a bit of left over nitrates at the moment which is good.

good work East. I like the tomato trellis.

If your going to do those tests you need to look at your pH as well. The Ammonia toxicity is affected by the pH and temp

A handy chart is on this page - http://ibcofaquaponics.com/information/tables-and-charts/

Cheers

That's true but if ammonia is above 2 consistently I would be cutting back on feed anyhow.. wouldn't you?

Thanks Scotty,

the water temp ranges around 60-65 right now, and the PH is right around 8-8.2.

The reason I dont have a PH test in the pics is because right now I only have 3 tubes. A few weeks ago I was shaking one and chunked it across the shop

I would cut back not the feed or sure. Let the ammonia and nitrates drop down to almost zero. Then feed accordingly. My water tests don't show any ammonia or nitrates.

East - Definitely stop feeding and let the levels drop (the Ammonia is what's likely to cause you troubles not the Nitrate). Might want to look and see if you've got any dead fish as well. Worst case you're already at toxic levels. Best case you're just barely outside toxic levels.




I think his reading is .5 to 1.0 and not 2 but I'm not sure if you were just pulling that figure out of your hat. My answer is yes if it were 2 but you also need to know how bad things really are. Maybe you'd also want to do water changes or maybe you'd find out you really didn't need to do anything at all if it's the middle of Winter. Most of the time when it's cold enough that you don't need to worry about the Ammonia toxicity it's also cold enough the fish aren't eating much anyway.

Cheers

Yes sir, going to hold off for several days before feeding and see if the levels drop.

Probably will remove some fish and throw them in the pond as well

The reading is at .5, I wouldnt think that is toxic yet, but not that knowledgeable on the subject

Actually wouldn't be a bad idea to do a 1/3 water change as long as the pH and temp of the water going in are lower than the water in your system. If they are higher then don't do it, this would just aggravate the problem.

That's what the chart will tell you - For example if your Temp is 20 and your pH is 8.2 a Total Ammonia Nitrogen level of .34 or above indicates toxic levels. Granted different fish are more or less susceptible.

Awesome log thanks. From a newb

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