Backyard Aquaponics
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The leaves on my plants are looking very pale. I am wondering if it is iron deficiency.

My system has been running for about 5 months now. It has next to zero ammonia and nitrite. Nitrates are way up near 160ppm.
PH is at 8.2. Maybe that is restricting something???

J mo.







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A pH of 8.2 could very well be causing Iron lock-out, but from what can be seen in the pics, it doesn't look like Iron deficiency. Pics of the entire affected plant/s will help, as much of the diagnosis depends on where the deficiency is showing up on the plant/s.

This is probably a separate issue to your deficiency, but one that still needs addressing... You say your Ammonia is "next to zero" and that you have a Nitrate level of 160ppm. Both of these suggest your system is not well balanced and most likely overstocked with fish. In a well balanced system your Ammonia and Nitrite should be 0.0ppm. Hi Nitrate levels suggest you don't have sufficient plants in the system, or if fully planted out, you don't have enough GB area, which would also correlate with the Ammonia readings not being 0.0ppm... You most likely need more GB area to provide both extra bio-filtration and allow for more plants.

A Nitrate level of 160ppm can inhibit seedling development, plant growth and fruit set. It will also cause bitterness in leafy greens. Anything over 40ppm suggests your system is overstocked with fish or doesn't have enough plants. At 80ppm, leafy greens, especially lettuce, can start to become bitter. High Nitrate levels can also cause issues with the availability of other nutrients. In a well balanced system you can have a Nitrate reading of 0.0ppm and still have healthy plant growth. Studies have found that long term, a level of 160ppm is not good for fish either.

Thanks for your response mr damage. I haven't fully planted out the grow bed. But I also only have 5 goldfish in the tank. I added a lot of plants /seed today with the hope that the plants will use up some of that nitrate. I retested the ammonia and it is showing zero. I guess I will give the new plants some time.

These are some more pics before I added some plants.








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