Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Remember HN, in your sort of temperatures, the gravel/scoria will absorb a significant amount of heat..... more so if you were previously actually wetting the surface itself.... and you also need to consider the evaporation that make occur from your system

So I think you'd probably be better off retaining the shade cloth... certainly while the plants become established.

Once established they'll obviously cover the grow media and lower the amount of ambient heat absorption....

Might be an idea to keep your flow rates/flood cycles up a bit more frequently while the plants are small and getting established.... stop them literally drying out....

All about slowly tweaking your system until you find it's balance... just make adjustments slowly....

Hey Gang. Yesterday I checked on my veggies and they are doing much better. I can't figure out what to give credit to, the major change was that I added another GB. I can;t imagine that making a difference in a day.

I cut the standpipes so the water is about and inch below the gravel.

Thanks all for your help!

FYI: I am a high school teacher and just got the approval to teach a section of aquaponics next year! Man I'm gonna need to do some research!

Glad things are improving!

Perhaps some of the teachers here on the forum have some material they can share, or could give some advice as to what really reached their students.

Perhaps some of the students here would like to share what part of their AP classes they liked best.

(Hint, hint, folks! )

all the teachers and students have run away on holidays for two weeks

With yet another successful and burgeoning system underway...

I think we all deserve to share in the success..... progress pictures please HN

HN,
If you haven't found it yet, check out the AP in Schools section. I believe it is at the bottom of the forum list, just scroll down on the main forum menu. You'll find lots of postings, and can use the message system to directly contact other teachers about info you might want to use in your planning and instruction. THIS IS A GREAT SOURCE FOR INFO!!! THANKS JOEL AND CREW!!!
Kevin

YEs I saw that link. I will have to sit down for a few days and look at all the info.

Rupert I will post pics in a few days. Thanks for all the help.

hn

Ok here are the new pics. Took them at night. The veggies seem to be doing better. Growth seems a little slow still. But looking better!!

Hey yeah..... definitely better....

Wait till next week HN

Ok folks. Here's an update. Did some tests

pH 6
Ammonia 0-2.5
Nitrate 100

Fish water is a bit dirtier I think because I took down the shade cloth and added a few fish. I lowered the standpipes more to stop algae growth.

Veggies look better. I am still having slow seeding growth. Its like when theyhit a certain size they suddenly start growing fast. Also some seedlings look like they are dying. (FYI: I sprout seeds in soil then transfer them over).

Checkout the lettuce leaf. Whats causing the white curly lines?

Thanks folks!!

HN

more pics

White curly lines are a leaf borer. Insect damage.

Any idea how to get rid of them? I have some of that soap stuff I've been using.

Eeeek! Not soap and fish, your fish will die!

Can't tell you what will get rid of them 'cause I've never had them, but someone else will know what to do.

I thought that the fish might be affected but they have been fine. I'm careful on how much I spray. So far no deaths. I will be more careful with them.