Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have been working on a system for the last six months and have got it up and cycling. Cucumbers,squash,beans,tomatoes,greens ect planted. I had my water tested for potassium calcium magnesium iron. It was low on potassium and calcium. What I'm looking for is a guide to maintaining a large Aquaponics system. Plants are not fruiting very much.

It's tough to point you to any resources without knowing something about your system . Most of the commercial systems use Deep Water Culture, might help if you have some pics and explain what you're trying to find out. If it's general info, then there are several helpful sources but most are geared toward backyard growers (For example; IBC of Aquaponics (and links from that), FAO has a manual, University of Virgin Islands, Nate Storey's videos on YouTube about mineral deficiencies...). If you're just cruising the Internet, there is a lot of misinformation and very few sources that I'd actually pay for information.

Give us some more info about your system and actual values of the test.

I would pay to take Ryan Chatterson's course again. It was very informative, and had both classroom and hands on work. He's having a fall session. A good investment if your serious. Just visiting his operation is invaluable to someone hoping to earn a living in AP. Google Chatterson Farms for more info.

This is an unpaid endorsement. Having been fortunate enough to attend his first training session, I can speak from experience. Ryan is extremely knowledgeable and is very happy to take the time to answer any and all questions.

I'll give you a complimentary short course on commercial AP.

Step 1. Learn how to manage a large AP system

Step 2. Build a large AP system

LoL

I would say:

Start a small system. Run it for 1 year or so, then upgrade to a larger system.
But, I get your point Super.

I guess that was a bit sarcastic, but i meant it in humor. I've only been on this forum for a couple years, and I've seen several such posts about "commercial" systems.

The recipe is to build a "commercial" greenhouse (read: demo system), then make a living off of teaching aquaponics classes, consulting and reselling aquaculture and hydroponics products relabeled as "aquaponics"


profit.

That is the larger majority from what I've seen also. But, Chatterson is making a living from his plants & fish, and doesn't broker anyone else's plants. Granted, his knowledge (and work ethic) is beyond the norm, but it is possible.

This place has changed so much. We used to help each other.

Actually it hasn't.

The very first response was useful. In light of the fact that almost zero information was given on which to base any advice what more could Scotty have done.

The only thing he didn't do was point out to Stacy that there basically are no guides of any worth that are being published to educate would be commercial aquaponics operators.

The original question was answered by Scotty(as usual ) and even though I was being sarcastic, don't you think it might be helpful to open their eyes to the lack of preparation? i.e. I know how to milk a cow but not how to ruin a dairy IMHO There wouldn't have been room for joking if the first post was like " hi I'm starting my first small system, in hopes of one day going large scale, and I'm having trouble with certain deficiencies..."

There's like 3 people on this "backyard aqauaponics" forum with any qualification to give even a small amount of advice on commercial aquaponics.

Also factor in this is another 1st post, tell me how to get rich off of aquaponics thread.

Cynicism warranted.

My name is Stacy Hayes. I am hoping to get some help. I have a 10,000 gallon system with a fish tank that is about 6000 gallons and 24 gravel grow beds that total 192 ft long 4 ft wide and 12 inches deep. 18 of them are fill and drain beds with 6 that are deep water. I also have 9 deep water raft beds totaling 72 feet in length. I started out with 1850 blue tilapia fry and have lost a few due to underfeeding trying to keep nitrates down. I have finally got all the beds planted and was hoping that would put everything in running order. My api test kit shows ph 7.0-7.2 ammonia 0 nitrites 0 Nitrates is bright red. so I can't really know what the number is. Can someone tell me what to do to get nitrates down or should I wait till grow beds get up growing good?