Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Some up to date photos would be good Ron, cheers

The light.

Top shelf, the sticks in the back are the pepper plants that have been cut back and brought inside, it is hard to see but back budding has started.

Lettuce level. The white spots are lettuce seedlings.

Seed propigation area.

When I see lights like those I usually see it for plants are not going to be eaten.

"UFO" grow light?

Looking great, Ron!

The pants are certainly for food. I never was into the "medical" plants. The brand is Taotronics is the brand. They are the 50watt version.

Looking good Ron how is your backyard set going?

Plugging along. It is starting to "cool off" some here, so my focus has been getting my indoor system to perform well. So as the pepper plants outside start to show stress, I can over winter them inside. Plus, I want to grow lettuce. For what is supposed to be the easiest thing to grow, it sure has been challenging for me...

for what it's worth, Ron, my system has a REAL hard time growing lettuce....

Looked at the lights Ron. I may have to try one from the good reviews I see on them. I was looking at a quad row led strip that was over 885lm/ft and was thinking about using that but for a few bucks more I can get a actual growlight.

Hi Ron
My LED lights were ‘El Cheapo’ but I have been more than satisfied with them.
Seed germination results were good. As at the moment I no longer require them for germination I am moving them to my shelf beds.
A straight copy from your indoor system. (imitation is the sincerest form of flattery)
Mine are indoors/outdoors. That is they are undercover from a shed but open to the air. I have two 40 litre clay F&D beds both with watercress. The light will go on one on a 12hr timer. ‘Que Sera Sera’
Titus

The ph fluctuations caused by my "hydroton" finally did the lone tilapia that was powering this system in. I decided to dump in the last of some old kelp fertilizer I have had for 6 years into it. I then *finally* picked up some actual shell grit and put it in a stocking in the fish tank. The lettuce has started to explode. I checked the ph last night, it was at 7.5. I am happy with that, so I put another of my smaller tilapia from outside back in the system. I also ordered some Maxcrop powder, so I can give the system a boost more regularly. I had the choice of a gallon of liquid for around $35, or a 27oz bag of powder that makes 65 gal for around $35. Yea, I'll take the powder.

Hey Ron,

...any updates regarding the performance of the LED-grow light?

- Still trying to figure out my system - systemS by now, as I am getting way too much interested in an indoor-system too! My outdoor-system will have too much shadow, as of now about 2 hrs early sun light only, then shadowed/filtered by 2 huge tree canopies for the rest of the day - so, I might have to get artificial illumination - I wonder how big a grow area one of your grow-lights can cover - kind of ridiculous, that in an area where I should have to put up a 60% shade-cloth, I most likely will need grow lights!!

Also following your outdoor system thread - Fantastic!!

Cheers,

thjakits

They are awesome! I had some basil and lettuce from the system in my lunch today.

....great!!

Do you still have the packing and/or manual for them - anything about "outdoors use"?

Cheers,

thjakits

They are definitely for indoor use.