Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Nice little alcove

Whats the purpose of the perspex?

Reference The trouble is this little alcove is that it is too cosy for insects .The plants are absolutely decimated by bugs .The idea was to surround the grow beds with a portable Perspex box on top of grow beds to control insects ,perhaps is not a good idea .The basil I have taken out is too far gone- the lettuce s seem alright in the plastic dome growing from seed The P H ,nitrite nitrate ammonia levels are alright.

Sorry I misunderstood -the alcove is OK so far have found some mesh I will fix over greenhouse skylight that will keep insects out -the greenhouse have been replacing sealant of bottom of greenhouse ,then added insect repellent made from garlic and peppers round the outside of greenhouse

Reference cleared most plants from system. Finished painting fence

reference over wintering geraniums plants used baking soda painted on with egg brush to protect from mould /bugs -ordered some Swiss chard s and lettuce seeds hopefully have some success Weather permitting to start extension to workshop .

Reference .Lettuce completely decimated " has anybody any ideas
how to treat this ?have applied sprays on grow beds to no avail used a cloche to keep insects off didn't work so the problem must be in the grow beds .Temperature in greenhouse 15 C water Temperature 18C

Need a picture john - probably slugs/snails - go out at night with torch

Reference . Hi sending pictures of grow bed taken at night with mobile phone camera .Showing seeds under dome .

Sending pictures -didn't see any slugs or snales .having extension built on side of workshop -might be idea to grow in lettuce in soil then transplant to grow beds.

started to build floor to workshop extension- hope building b will be finished by Thursday .Looking at the bug situation I have been looking at natural remedies to cure the problem ,I think there are a lot of small slugs in the grow beds, any remedies to stop slugs .? Thinking of putting beer down to remedy the situation. Any advice would be appreciated . Rearranged pipes in the AQ system giving more control to grow beds to control the water pressure .I think it is a good idea to use quick fit pipes- easy to disassemble when cleaning system.

reference renewed pipes in AP system giving a better water flow -It pays to keep to one manufacturer of pipes- I am reasonably new to Aquaponics- for instance buying weld fit pipe ,not realising it was not suitable for push fit pipe etc. .If that is any help to anybody .Using weld fit it needs thinking out for instance cleaning pipes would be difficult .It is ok used inside of fish tank I have pipe going to the D W T system using weld pipe ,the tap is inside of tank so it can be cleaned for maintenance .If installing pipe from I B C tank I made the mistake of insulating fish tank and not cutting out the bars ,when trying to fit tank connector the bar quite simply in the way ,good idea to take out bars first to make life less complicated, just information ,hopefully to save money and hassle .

Reference -rearranged the workshop- added extra extension to workshop -installed greenhouse gas heater .Cold weather starting to come in .I am finding the T5 grow lights play a good part in keeping greenhouse warm - using very little gas- have ordered grow pouches from this web site with the use of coconut chore , will help fight against the bugs, keeping the slugs down- have been using beer to keep the slugs down. Insulated workshop -covered with ply certainly keeps the heat in.

Reference. insulation of workshop beer to keep slugs down

A nice English ale

Hi well just completed aquaponic build by insulating workshop .I bought some pouches from this website planted herbs bought from supermakket -simply to take down nitrite/ nitrates levels ,planted lettuce in sepa rate incubator transfer to main system later, the slugs like the beer- hope they are not around when planting lettuce .installed gas fire I bought last year ,being a small greenhouse the T5 grow lights give the gas fire competition Temperature last night just freezing 0C