Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All.
I've been wanting to setup a AP system for awhile but just have never had time.
Finally got time on the 11/11/14 to build a small system which is the same as BYAP single barrel



I started the cycle using a lid a pellets and have done that once a week.

I'm using a AquaPro 3000 Pump with the filter removed.
I didn't have any rigid pipe left so I used flexible pipe under the expanded clay which ill probably regret soon when it gets clogged up from the waste.
The pump T's off to the grow bed and another pipe which goes back into the tank to try aerate the water.

I had a few problems with the auto siphon but I found using some small 3 mm pipe and pushing it down the stand pipe to reduce the area fixed the problem.

I've planted only 3 Tomato Plants and 3 Parsley's just to see how things would grow.
In 2 weeks I've noticed if I dig around the tomato roots are everywhere and theirs about 5 small flowers on each.

Here are my results in the last couple of days I've recorded
Date pH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate
27/11/14 7.6 0.25 NA NA
28/11/14 8.8 0.25 5 0
29/11/14 8.0 0.25 5 NA

I believe the pH spike was due to me adding water that day to top up the tank.

You may find your tomatoes wont get fruit unless you add potassium. Or at least Epson salts. Its taken me three months to cycle the required bacteria to produce the nitrate levels required without having to be using sea sol weekly. If you have a mate who has an aquarium setup, take a large bucket around to his place the next time he needs to do a water change. I have a 200ltr aquarium that I use as top up water for my system. Plus my daughters 75ltr tank.

Welcome to the adventure

Welcome, in my experience I would wait until system shows deficiencies until adding the likes of potassium or Epsom salts, especially in a small system, as dependant upon fish food and fish type, each system can be different.

Dependant on weather, cycling time can differ, but shouldn't take too long in warmer climate now that summer has hit us.

What fish do you plan on using?

Bcassey2703. I have watched a few clips on this subject. Tomatoes are potassium hungry! A new system just starting out wont support tomatoes without additives. Until your system has fully cycled and even then you may still need to add potassium. Especially for tomatoes.

My best advice is to replant tomatoes in good soil. And plant lettuce until you have a nitrate reading. Because your plants wont flower ATM. So no tomatoes. I have high nitrates ATM. But just the one tomato on each plant, but we did have rain here. Not good for fertilization of flowers,

That's your experience... Saying things like "A new system just starting out won't support tomatoes without additives" is wrong. A definitive statement backed up by only your experience, which is limited. Saying something like "you may need potassium" or "tomatoes may not grow" is more indicative of the truth?

I have grown tomatoes without additives, with minimal fish, quite successfully, but I don't ram down people's throats that this will happen, only that this is my experience.

Once again, I think you should quantify all your "definitive advice" with your experience level.

There are two ways to gather experience, you can read and practice or you can listen and learn from those before you. I chose to wait for the clips. Save on reading time. If you don’t like my advice don’t use it. I you don’t like me saying what I have learned then we have a problem.

When did I ram anything down anyone’s throats?

where would you add Epsom salts or potassium? does it harm the fish? Brian

Countless times ramming stuff down people's throat, thread couldn't handle reposting the amount. I don't have issues you making suggestions, but I would say stop making definitive statements, and I would clarify where you got this info from, and how much experience you have. For example, from my experience a startup system is better off getting system cycled and up and going before playing with any additives, and this is something also reiterated by many experienced members on this forum.

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum.

One thing to note, keep an eye on the temperatures, with your water volume, it could go very high on a hot day, with fish it could be an issue, but it looks good so far!

Blizzard, have a look through my thread, more specifically the tomatoes last season. The only potassium was small amounts of seasol powerfeed, which doesn't really have much potassium. I got masses of fruit from my system, and PaulAP has already got flowers.

Boss, potassium nitrate can be added as a pH buffer, to raise it up. And Epsom salts usually only added when deficiencies are present. I believe magnesium is added through the food, can be added anywhere, I'd add it to the sump, so it's got time to go through the system and a fish won't gobble down a big chunk of potassium.

I see thank you

Hi All,
thanks for your comments.
Ill continue the updates in the Members System section from now on but just a quick note.
The tomatos have flowered (at least 10 flowers on each plant) but I think your right they wont any further as they dont seem to be strong .( simple flick and the flower will drop off) .
Any how ill upload some more info in the members systems.

Cheers
Paul

Hi Colum Black-Byron,

Quick question, can potassium nitrate be use for potassium deficiency and what type of deficiency does Epsom salt overcome?

@Paul, hi and welcome.

Regards