Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey earthbound, I'm new to Aquaponics and am about to try and build a grow bed and am curious what you mean by "it's running on stand pipes"? Ie, what exactly is a stand pipe when talking about a grow bed?

Hey @Jla21 here is a link with explanation and images as to how the standpipe works http://ibcofaquaponics.com/building-a-s ... -plumbing/
The standpipe in my system is made from a 25mm pvc pipe and reducing coupling to fit the drain fitting.

@Samuel L Jackson in response to your questions about my treasured bugs the lacewings turned up all by themselves, I have noticed them coming in to the house chasing the light and we have found about 3 different types, which I am quite excited about.
The Encarsia formosa I believe are what I have observed at different times though they are quite small. When I find the photos I will post. I have once ordered Persimilis and they are almost impossible to see unless you tip them on to white paper and watch the tiny specs moving. You would otherwise think that you wasted your money and only receive a vial of vermiculite. They did round up the red spider mite which all moved to the end of the eggplant leaf before disappearing. I just love observing these behaviours.

The worms @Katali were in the beds very early as they may have been transferred from seedlings or i suspect even birds may drop worms or egg casings. When I have been left with excessive roots from celery or assorted items I have at times added some extra worms to help out. If you go out with a torch at night you can see then moving around near the surface.

The system is going well and the trout are pleased to see me when I get out to feed them in the mornings. It was about 1 degree here this morning and as I have said before feeding my fish are the only good reason to get out of bed when it's that cold. I have a few photos to upload, surprise, surprise

I have harvested some of the Canna edulis, edible canna also known as arrowroot, divided it and boiled for the family to try. The verdict is very much like potato just a tad sweeter with a farm slightly crunchy texture. Certainly worth a try if you like something a bit different, grows very well in aquaponics, but once again it is a crop that you dig, so therefore mmm, I would do it again as it doesn't take up a lot of real estate and I like the flowers and foliage.

Next time I will be trying the roots in a curry as they hold their form very well and i have heard they make a good addition.

Went away for a week and a sneaky something had a munch, so the greens were promptly harvested and turned in to a spicy pumpkin curry. That is what happens when you take your eye off the ball.


Too stormy to garden so I added a guardian to the bed to keep an eye on things.

This is where the chinese greens went along with homemade curry paste, chilis, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, spring onions, coriander and of course pumpkin. Shame coconuts won't grow in Perth

Faye I am fairly certain you dish up the best eye candy on the BYAP. Your posts are always visually stunning and with lots of info that is always interesting. Thanks for always going to that effort it is definitely appreciated.

Regards, Martin.

+1

Sigh

You make it look easy Faye. Love the pics!

Amazing as always Faye. Thanks for posting about the canna. Will have to give it a try


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The photos are fantastic!

What's your new phone?

Thankyou everyone It really is much more than a phone with a 16 megapixel camera it is a Galaxy S5.

Thanks Faye,you do make it look easy.Canna's will grow very well without a medium,too well in fact ,I threw mine out because they took over and kept blocking everything up that was before I found out you could eat them.Evidently the leaves make good stock feed.You only need to sit them in a channel and let the water run under them and they will outgrow mint.They are nice and crunchy,Asians use them in stir frys.

Hi Don, well of course it is easy. Throw a handful of food to the fish, watch the lettuce spring up from the last crop, pick herbs, celery as you want it, pick off the ripe tomatoes and look for bugs

Who knew, I'm sold Faye where do I sign up.

Your pictures are outstanding.