Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well the system has been doing it's thing well. Fish are happy, siphons working, and plants growing rapidly. Big problem now is deficiencies.

The corn are showing potassium, magnesium and nitrogen deficiencies from what i can understand.

1 ibc growbed has 8 corn, 2 chilli, 3 tomato, small snow pea and zucchini, and a small dwarf mandarin tree. Yes i do Realise it's a lot but expected some things wouldn't grow and water quality was priority.

Currently have 4 goldfish, 2 x15cm koi and 11 x15 -20cm silver perch.

Could this deficiency just be cured mostly by

-removing plants... and which ones.
-increased feed rates
-more fish

Cheers

I understand corn can suck up nutrients like gang busters

Gday all. .been a while but my system is still running without any real issues. Had a couple of weeks in may where the gb didn't get any attention and some black caterpillars took over. They destroyed most of my plants and the rest was destroyed by the new dog. She has some leap on her. .

So since my last post i had to remove most existing plant life in one hit. Fir the record i still run a biofilter..just because it's sitting there. . Before this i had couple capsicum, snap peas, lettuce, chillis, spring onion cherry tomatoes all in supply.

I introduced 6 trout to the system and new seedlings and seeds around 8 weeks ago and everything has been pumping since. Had plenty snap peas and first lettuce leaves tonight.

Last week pic

Prior to infestation. ..and puppy haha.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wonder if Datpsi realizes where his update went?

Just read this thread. I love the look of the cladding around the ibc's and the wood decking look. It makes me want to start planning my next system sooner than later.

Not sure i follow boss..??

Cheers ace, had left over timber from a deck i built and the colorbond sheets were leftover from a patio. It really suits the area i had to play with.

Next stage had changed from my original plans due to finance restraints. .will investigate using blue barrels cut in half and surrounding my deck with these and hiding with the same decking. Dunno about how to setup wicking beds but I'll learn on the run

Well decided to bite the bullet and get my hands on some blue barrels. Frames not finished yet, will add some more bracing them clad with colorbond and decking to match main system. Should have finished and plumbed in next day off. Will add couple of wicking beds with half barrels with couple fruit trees but unsure of what just now. .

So not finished yet or plumbed up but you get the idea. Bell siphons in each bed. Not sure what I'm doing in regards with additional sump barrels yet. 1 or 2.. add fish or marron to them? Maybe move the goldfish into one and marron in half ibc sump tank?

I've got a thought to run 2 sump barrels under the beds with an slo connecting to main sump tank. Was thinking to use a float valve as well as the slo to control level in the current sump tank?

Too many ideas and over complication running through head. .

Would be good to utilise the additional water for something to grow!!

Well in another near disaster, get home from work last night and go out to check on things to hear pump sucking air. . It then decides to rain hard as i try and find the damaged pipe. .

Turns out one the the pipes to the new grow beds must have been bumped (assume by neighbors cat), and nearly completely emptied my sump. I had thought it not be needed to glue this few joins but i will be today!!

Ouch! Yes, glue is good, or a little stainless steel screw through the join if you want to be able to undo it for maintenance etc. I feel a lot safer that way.

Yes lesson learnt quickly! !

I only had enough media to fill 3 of the 4 new beds so they're all up and operational. I planted blueberry plant ,carrot,chives,cauliflower broccoli chilli cucumber and few others. These are mix between seeds and seedlings.

My 3 year old was on me to use all the beds as fish tanks so i thought i use the one i haven't got media for to house 3 tiny goldfish. I put a small sheet of perspex along the front so he can look in, and timber cover at the back. .

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