Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi my name is Dylan.

I live in Karratha and have recently started up a backyard aquaponics system. This has been going for 6 months. I'm growing silverbeat, tomatos. Basil, watercress, parasley, lettuce and strawberrys.
I have 12 guppys as I'm learning i was a little shy with buying good quality fish.

The grow bed holds 300-400l water with out media and the fish tank holds avarage 500l.
When I started this system my plants went amazing super healthy and great growth.

After a small afid problem I tried to kill them with a chilli and garlic blend (too strong I think).
Since the. My plants are looking a little worse for wear.

My ph in the fish tank is around 8-8.5 since start up I'm constantly topping up the system with 6-6.5ph to try to bring it down.

My end goal is to grow Barra and fresh water shellfish if possible.

Can I please get some thoughts on a way to dial it in. I'm having difficulty attaching pics

With thanks

Dylan

Welcome to the forum Dylan

Hi Dylan & welcome.

Bit envious of you at present from cold old Perth, but that will change in a month or 2.

Most things on how to re: the forum are in Annuncements viewforum.php?f=4 including tips for advanced searching etc which may come in handy.
How to post an image there (and there are couple others to do with resizing etc)
or click here > viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21754 - if having issues most likley image size is too big. Display them on your computer and take a screen grab with Windows Snipping Tool or something similar. Most mobile phone images are too large (max 900 x 900).


high pH - is that the Karratha town water ?
Can you get a regular source of lower pH water ? or even RO water ?


12 Guppys might not be enough in a 500L system as you could easily have 12 med sized goldfish.
Suspect that you had some initial residual nutrients early on or have you have been adding something ?
do you test your water for nitrates and ammonia ?

Most likely giving you grow beds a water with Seasol (from a watering can once a week) will perk things up. At high pH your plants will struggle with some nutrients so try using a spray bottle with some chelated iron and and maybe a **weak** soluable fertiliser solution. Get all those from Bunnings or Mitre10.

* but dont add too much till you know what you nitrates are doing*


the pH will be an issue for you to raise fish as you will have high water temps for much of the year.
Try running some goldfish in with yur guppies initially.

Adding low pH water to high pH water in the fish tank is not so good for less robust fish.
They prefer the pH to be steady. I suspect with evaporation going to be an issue for you this will be a hurdle.

Is the system under shadecloth ?

First thing you need to do is get the volumes of each item as close as possible, sounds like your guessing.

This will be easier for you in the long run, when you have to figure how much of something is needed to add to the system.

a picture would be the main advantage here. So we can confirm your setup and get a firm idea of what you are trying to with.

p.s. forgot to ask previously - what is your grow bed media ?

few questions from this and previous posts above that are required for people to provide some help.