Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well I guess I should start by telling you about my system. I am new to growing plants never did it before.

I have a 1500 gal swimming pool with a 4'x8' Grow bed with 3 270W http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MU049W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Around 100 perch currently about 5" long.
I have had it setup for about 3 months now fish are growing well since i got them at about 1-2". I have had 2 of the 105 fish I got die they were the runts all the others were much larger. My pump runs constantly and allows so much water in the bed at all times. The bed is lava rock <- this is what i think might be causing the problem.

The problem I am having is the plants, My water melon, pepper and pumpkin plants have all died. Strawberry and lettuce are doing ok but the fruits on the strawberry plants starts to rot before they ripen. The lettuce on the other hand were it touches the lava rock it starts to desolve or rot.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

The watermelon plants look very leggy. Like it's stretching for light.

I'm guessing you are lacking pollination on your strawberries as well. Might need to hand pollinate.

Can you lower your lights closer?

And what are your PH, Nitrates?

I am not sure I will need to get a test kit for both of those.

I can move my light closer.

Your water level is to high this will cause rotting,fungus as you have, try dropping the level about 5cm below the surface of the media.

I have it about 2.5" below but the top is still wet, should i try lowering it further?

The media surface ideally needs to be dry,this will stop the problems you have,try a fraction more to see what happens,or failing that you need to provide better ventilation this will help to dry out the surface level,maybe a small desk top fan just something that will shift the air,the fan will actually improve the micro climate for the plants as well.