Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I saw those spikes

Right been a while since I added any pictures. I've been taking them but not got round to uploading them as I seem to only be able to do it from my phone. I think I am more or less cycled both amm and nitri now back at 0.25 nitra at the top of the scale. I need plants badly. Think I also need to adjust my ph down as at 8.2 I think I am getting lockout.

Here is where I am up to with the build. New bigger sump put in, this now gives me 600 litres of sump capacity. Racking on the left has been lowered ready for the Dwc beds


Watercress bed with two bits that were rescued from the kitchen and the rest are seeds I planted.



Getting good growth on the watercress.



New spray bar.



Really dodgy fish photo before I cleaned out the bottom of the tank. Got 11 goldfish in there which are doing fine and producing lots of waste.



Got lots of greens seeded so looking forward to getting the rafts finished.

Upland Cress? I'd lower the water level in the grow bed so the visible layer isn't damp or you'll start getting lots of algae growth.

Cheers

No it's not upland cress. It's watercress, it grows along stream beds, think it's a European plant. I was hoping that it would cover over the water before I got an algae problem. I am trying to replicate it's naterial environment with flowing water. Watercress is expensive to buy because it has to be grown in controlled conditions as in the wild you can pick up liver fluke from it.

Dan

Hi Dan
Looking good. Love the spray bar.
Generally speaking, best practice is to leave the top 1 to 2 cm of the grow bed dry.
Reduces possible weed seeds germinating but also prevents algae forming.
Your watercress will thrive on 45/15 or constant flow. They will reach down to the water. Flooding the grow bed from time to time is also good practice. It will bring unwelcome visitors to the surface.