Backyard Aquaponic Update July 3, 2009

[Irishgirl41]

do you have the pump system on a timer or is it on a constant flow?

[padkisson]

@Irishgirl41

The pump works constantly but it functions as flood/ drain cycling with the siphon system.

[wacka2]

the iron bar may sound like a logical and easy way to add iron to the system but it doesnt in fact work .

The iron must be in a chelated form for the plant roots to be able to absorb it.

The iron that you are introducing will not be absorbed by the plants.

I have been using an aquaponics system for years and i know this to be true.

You are correct in informing the guys that you must NEVER , EVER put any fertiliser in this system .

They WILL kill all of your fish.

Nice system by the way .

[padkisson]

@wacka2

While you are somewhat correct... in fact some natural chelation of the iron happens while rusting and through bacterial action. The proof shows in the improvement in the plants. However, chelated iron in a much better option (and the only addition to the water that I recommend ever). NO Fertilizers!!!

[giftsfromtheholyland]

hello buddy what a good job hey listen I hope you will answer me you have the iron with the fish?!! the iron does not hurt the fish??

[padkisson]

@giftsfromtheholyland

yes... no it doesn't

[Songy23]

I love ur designs. I have been designing and have been evolving mine for about 2 weeks now. I wish I had seen it vid first! Where did u get the idea for the iron bar? That's genius!

[waylan3]

man when i get my new place im gonna have so many projects its gonna run me crazy im new to hydro i use to growing all our vegtables with soil

[padkisson]

@waylan3

I wish you well in your projects!!! Aquaponics is far superior to hydroponics..... fish rule!!!! Hope you send me some video updated of your stuff! :0)

[sharonhasting]

I really like what you did here. Thanks! But what I'd like to see is the end product. Got any updates from 2010?

[dc125]

where can i get diagrams on how to build these systems?

[padkisson]

@dc125 Sorry I didn't make any diagrams, but it you look at each video you should be able to write down what you need.

[goatsonacid420]

did you start with seeds or use plants that were already growing? how many gallons does your pump pump?

[padkisson]

@goatsonacid420

I used small transplants in this one.

[greenfish13]

I thought this was a great video and thanks for sharing. An interesting aspect that I want to ask you about is the angle iron. What do you use to sand it down with? I want to try that in my system, any precautions? Thanks!

[padkisson]

@greenfish13 I just sand it down with heavy sand paper or a grinder just a bit to expose the shiny layer again.

[micancuevo]

what kind of fish are in there? is telapia good for aquaponics?

[padkisson]

I have tilapia in my three barrel system and gold fish in this one. They are both doing great, but I can eat the tilapia. :o)

[micancuevo]

thnx for the post. now iv been planning my single barrel aquaponic system too.. ill be working on it this afternoon after i take my journalism exam.. your a great inspiration.. keep posting... great job

[padkisson]

@micancuevo Thanks, How did it work out????

[jamonaz]

Would it be too much trouble to list your exact parts list ? I want to head down to the hardware store and start building my system today. Any help would be much appreciated.

[padkisson]

@jamonaz Sorry... I just don't have time, but you should be able to write it down by looking at my videos and do your own with very little trouble. I'll try to make a diagram one day soon for everyone.

[ketammerah1]

cool...!!!

[jotocs3]

4-6 hrs full sun, about 24, 5-7in goldfish, i added rusty nails on the inlet side of the growbed where there is lots of water flow. its now 3 mos and lettuce in puts with compost and watercress . however, basil, mustard, cabbage,onions are'nt doing as well on the pebble bed. its now 3 mos. water cycles 1 hr on ,30mins off all day. thanks for responding about not adding fertilizer. maybe i just need for time on my system...

[padkisson]

How many gallons of water does your system hold? The only other thing I can think of is that you need 6-8 hours of sun daily. Some plants also do better than others. I've never tried the plant you are growing yet. Sure would like to see a video of your system.

[jotocs3]

hi there, have been adding commercial fertilizers to your system? my plants don't seem to be doing as well as yours. they are stunted and and yellowing. my ph is close to 7.2.

[padkisson]

I have NEVER put ANY commercial fertilizers of any kind in my systems!!! Do you have enough fish? Is it in full sun? Have you tried putting in some bits of rusty iron or a spoon full of chelated iron powder? The only mineral that is not present in fish food is iron. I have not been able to find the powder but I do have a 8-10" piece of angle iron rusting in the water. Good luck...try that and let me know how it goes

[TheDudeRulez09]

jotocs3 yeah yellowing is a sign of low or no iron, padkisson is right chelated iron is the way to go

[FLIPWILSON1]

Thank you for posting! I will try it and see if this causes my palnts to fruit.

[FLIPWILSON1]

The angle iron you have in your system, is it doing well? Is it giving the correct TYPE of iron?

[padkisson]

It seems to be working well for me. Every other day or so I rub the rust accumulation off onto the water with my hands. I got the idea because during my grandmothers time if you were iron deficient common iron nails were put in a quart jar with water to rust. They drank the rusty water and it would alleviate the deficiency.

[FLIPWILSON1]

I too have a small system and doing well on growth. However, the harvest rate is zero. How about yours?

[padkisson]

It will be another 1-2 months before anything should be ready. I'll try to do more updates and we will see what happens.

[padkisson]

@FLIPWILSON1 Had a great harvest!!!! Do you have enough fish in the system??? Just trying to figure your problem out. Did you keep trying with success???

[dmacosta1]

wow!