first aquaponic set-up

[1320stompers]

My first aquaponic set-up. Still no fish (although the frogs have made a home and now I have tadpoles). This has been up-&-running for about a month. Added 4 Kentucky blue beans a week ago. Still have things to do like- add more rocks for one. As for water quality testing, i still need to buy a tester kit. I have two electronic testers, that show the pH @ 8.6 and ppm @ 050.
Not sure if it's going to be a problem but, my water temp gets up to 90-95 degrees.

[Albert]

to make the images go, use the image icon
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[1320stompers]

I had a plug in not responding, and i though it was my links. All fixed Thanks Albert

[LeonardoJ]

Congrats on getting it started! I like to say that's one of the largest hurdles that needs to be overcome, is to just get started, and you did it! Alright!

Water temp is quite high so it might be a detriment to your aquatic animal side of the aquaponic equation, most fish will like moderate to cooler waters.

You can utilize the frame that's already set up to give the growbeds (or your whole system) some shade by utilizing shade cloth. Shade cloths have different grades (levels of percentage of sunlight that they let through, i.e. 50%); sometimes called shade netting. all purpose garden fabric, etc.).  Be careful when sorting through ratings, as some will rate light through and others offer a 'shade' rating.  70% light through would roughly be the same as 30% shading.  30% shading and 30% light through would be very different materials.

What kind of fish are you thinking of using for your system? Most people will concentrate on fishes that they would like to eat. Others will just buy/ catch any fish and throw it in. Both will work. Be sure to get a few guppies or mosquito fish so that you won't have to worry about mosquito and their larvae. <free fish food >

[1320stompers]

been slacking, still no complete water testing. it's our rainy season, my pH has been slowly raising I'm now at 9.3 I'm going to add lemon juice to lower it in the next few days. 

did some time test on the system. each bed takes anywhere from 6-10 minutes between GB flushes. with having the cycling happening so frequent,  I'm going to add drain tubes in the bottom of the grow beds to help. do you think this worth the effort?

Looks like i have a friend that made a home. I think it's a spider mite (translucent spider)?


I only have one 6 inch tilapia in a 30 gallon tank. fish is eating good, my TDS stays at 40-50ppm. The plant leaves show spotty light and dark patterns. This is when i wish i had my water test kit to see whats going on.


are these going to be a problem? could I use them as fish food, there are hundreds of these around the house.

[LeonardoJ]

Snails can be a problem as they will feast on your tender leaves and seedlings. Even though the beds are raised, I'm surprised to find them in the growbeds on rare occasion.  If your fish will eat it, that's less fish feed that you'll have to buy.

[chicano]

You can border if you will your growbeds with copper, using copper flashing for roofing cut into 1" strips and line the outside border to stop them from getting in your grow beds slugs wont go on the copper either, my two cents. Looking good by the way

[1320stompers]

Snails are starting to be a problem with the plants. Hundreds of them, I'm even starting to find babies on the plants. I'm going to try the copper border.  Will the copper tape have a service life (as it corrodes will it be less effective)?  I've also seen people using a 9-volt electric fence, does any one else here use it? 
On the other hand the fish is loving the snails, he won't eat anything else.

A week ago I sprinkled seeds in the beds and things are starting to sprout; okra, lettuce, spinach and cucumber.  I also transplanted from dirt pots cilantro and aloe.

[1320stompers]

Attack of the Giant African Snails!

South Florida's snails.  I'm about 4 hours up the coast from there.

Homemade Snail/Slug Electric Fence

Starting think the electric fence would work better. Hope I don't need more than 9 volts

[chicano]

Copper tape i think is too thin and will not last, stick with the roof copper flashing and cut it to size and staple it, i have alot of slugs and snails around my place and thats what im going to use

[LeonardoJ]

The snail/slug electric fence is very cool!
bzzzt! "ouch!" Snail thinking to self: "what was that? was that my imagination? yeah. I think so.  Let's go!" bzzt! "ouch! nope! wasn't my imagination after all. o.O okay... retreat!"
lol. 

If you do this, please post pics! I'd be very interested to see it!
Copper flashing should work since copper is toxic to snails...

Just to get you thinking... cover traps. Snails need and seek cover after their foraging at night. A simple piece of wood with a space for them to seek cover under will work. Keep the area moist, and they will hide there.  Check under the piece of wood and hand pick the snails/ slugs to carry them to your preferred disposal method.

Beer trap made out of a simple saucer (with beer poured in the middle) placed near the area of snail/slug activity will also work.  Snails/ Slugs will be attracted to the smell of beer and drink and get drunk (talk about alchohol poisoning!) o.O lol =p!