Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I just signed a contract on a new house, so if all goes well i'll be moving in by 7th jan.
it's got a working pump and a population of goldies and koi living in it already, all i need to do is hook up the growbeds. heck i could probably just use the exiting filter and run the water through some pipes hydro style.

Very nice looks pretty new too.

Would get rid of those plants rear right of the pond and just put a small clumping palm in a pot to hide the filter. Don't know what they are called but they are as invasive as hell. Planted them in my top pond and they took over and choked the whole thing. The flags are ok and easy to control.

They look a bit like papyrus reed to me, don't know the real name.

yeah i was planning on getting rid of them anyway and just leaving the flowering things.

I have seen them invasive papyrus reeds for sale in a shop recently at 9.00 dollars each!

i'm considering using a NFT setup for the pond.

the main reasons are:
1. it won't pollute the pond with silt from the grow medium
2. it's less expensive since i don't need the grow medium or the tubs for the medium
3. it's quicker to setup, all i need to do is divert the flow into the growing channels (i'm thinking of using that rectangular down water pvc pipe with holes cut in it and plants in baskets) and the existing filter that's well established will do the rest.

Damn could have made a fortune

Timmy

Nft is great but make sure you have an overflow option as the roots can restrict flows. Round pipe is easier/ cheaper to plumb, rectangular gives you a better film. If you want easier maintenance the hydro places sell the rectangular pipe with clip on tops, more expensive though.

with NFT how do you maintain the 1 - 3mm flim? i was thinking the roots would back the water up over time

most people using the pipes tend to run a 50mm high flow

Timmy

Roots tend to go with the flow for a while so provide initially a nice water spreader mat. Ideal for short grow non agressive crops eg lettuce starts to get problematic with things like tomatoes.
imho Plants and trees have a balance between tops and bottoms (not quite so in hydro) so prune the tops for production and the roots are not as aggressive.

Still suggest the overflow .

Yep I am learning NFT is not the way to go with tomatos... Bad idea!

I have water backing up to be about 75mm deep. It will be ok I think there is enough areation.

hmm so NFT is only good for certain plants.
looks like FD it is then.

Timmy

Can be done, and has high air water ratios and dosn't take up much space. Just got to watch it and has minimal safety(?) factor if the pump or power goes out.