Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here is the system at the three and half week mark, it has grown significantly in the past week. The ammonia fell out of balance and I lost 4 Silver perch fingerlings, that rectified itself quickly through the clay ball media and it is firing on all cylinders now. I am really enjoying my new project. I will post the 4.5 week video this afternoon. Everything is thriving - from beetroot to herbs, to chilies, tomatoes, to strawberries - what a wide range growing harmoniously.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152713379475742&set=vb.573300741&type=2&theater

Can you start a system thread and post photos there. I for one do not do facebook but would like to see what you are doing. If you need answers to future problems it is a lot easier for members to check your system thread. Cheer

+1 I'm not on FB either and am planning a dual IBC setup. Would love to see what you have done here

I am not on face book either but I still watched your clip! Just by pressing the link, its not that hard? Just a few questions?

How many fish are you running? Because tomatoes need lots of potassium and you may not get any fruit unless you supplement with sea-sol, and maybe potassium?

my system has been running since August with just leafy greens in it for now, I am waiting to put the Barra in the fish tank, their in the family room ATM, I have just the two SP and now 3 goldfish in the fish tank,

I am new to this - what is a system thread and how do I start it. Would love to share all of this with you.

I have 50 Jade perch fingerlings and 50 Silver Perch fingerlings in each tank. You are right, I supplemented early by a strong dose of Sea sol with the only side effect being a slight browning on the leaves of the tomato plants. Since this video, EVERYTHING has gone crazy, plants are growing almost half inch in 24hours, it is unbelievable to watch.

Way too many fish!

I'd pull the mint out now, before it takes over the entire bed.

They are only fingerlings and 2 more beds are going in to carry some of these fish.

The mint is on the edge where it can be controlled. The system is tendered every day and mint is picked regularly

Could be? We don’t know his full setup, I hope he has added air flow, but from memory I think it’s a max off 25 fish for two IBC grow beds? And lots off small fish require more DO than a few larger fish,

He could be planning on having fish fingers soon?

There is a large aeration system installed

Im with you, its your system Peter!
I have an AC/DC air pump with air stones to the fish tank and sump tank, just in case the power goes out, I also do things a little different, like keeping my Barra inside till it gets warm, they don’t have jumpers, I am on a budget too, so something’s are just going to take some time,

Cheers mate, your system looks fine,

Mint will shoot off everywhere, and once it's in almost impossible to get out. I love mint so I learned this the hard way ahaha. I ended up putting it into a 90mm pipe with some gravel and ran it constant flow on top of gravel, that way it never gets in.

It's great how crazy things grow!


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Looking at the video, it looks like you've got a total of about 250L of wet media in each GB... working on the rule of thumb of 1 fish per 25L then you should have only ten fish in each FT; you've got 50! The size of the fish now has (almost) nothing to do with anything; the amount of feed eaten and the waste generated by fish when small is almost the same as when they get older.

The limitation is not imposed by aeration; it's a limit of biofiltration. If you want to have 5 times the "recommended" stock density (a density more akin to commercial aquaculture) you're going to need a lot more infrastructure than just another GB and an air pump.

Even if you keep picking the mint, the roots will still spread through the media and it WILL get into your pipework and clog the media and cause all sorts of issues. If you want to grow mint in a AP system, plant some in a pot next to the system and water it with the system water; you'll still get very satisfactory results.

I have to chip in with the mint thing as well. I too unfortunately have learnt the hard way. Mine is in a garden bed and even when decimated for a night of mojitos it comes back, and in all sorts of crazy places. It has managed to sneak under 2 sleepers and tonnes of dirt to pop up in the garden bed next to it even!
And because it just loves having wet feet, it will find its way into your pipes and clog them up. It's truly amazing stuff. I'd send myself broke in Bacardi if I tried to keep up with it
Bcasey's idea of putting it in a pipe sounds like a fabulous idea though!

I am currently doing as Bunson suggests, and water my dirt garden plants with the AP water, as my system is slow to get it's growbed online due to outside factors, and the plants are absolutely loving it

The growth looks great in that video.

Out of curiosity, who recommended that number of fish to you? Bunson is very right to say that you're overstocked unfortunately. Even if you add another 250L growbed, without taking into account that it's not all 'wet media' (only the wet stuff filters your water), your fishies should have between 20(barest of minimums) - 25L of filtration per plate sized fish. To keep the math easy for me, lets say 750L media/25L per fish = 30 fish for your combined tanks. or at 20L if you maybe plan to harvest them smallish, 750L / 20L = 37 fish.

You could potentially push this by adding other methods of filtration, or by replacing your water (very, very) regularly, but it's fraught with danger, and you still couldn't push it by much.

The answer to this of course, in my opinion anyway, is: EXPANSION
If you are intent on keeping that many fish, you will need to get yourself a bunch more IBCs and set yourself up with more tanks, and many more growbeds. Other, less obsessed people, might suggest on-selling some of your fish. I like my way better.

What are all your pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate levels like at the moment? Sorry if you mentioned it in your vid, I watched it at work so had you on mute.

Ok, This is all good advice...I am going to add two more IBCs into the system and a row of pots that are included in the system too....I will pull the mint and throw it in there! I own a camp ground with a large natural creek swimming area..I am going to stock it with the Silver Perch very soon, just growing them to a good level before providing the kids a fishing option.