First AP system build! - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T06:10:06Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/first-ap-system-build?groupUrl=sacramento-aquaponics&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A382712&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi Jon, I posted this in the…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-08-13:4778851:Comment:3827122012-08-13T14:45:36.241ZAdam Klieghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdamKlieg
<p>Hi Jon, I posted this in the catfish forum as well and got some great feedback. That's interesting that it's the change in salinity, not the salt that kills ich. I raised the salt to 3ppt with 12 lbs as you said. The water is consistently about 74-78 and I don't have a heater but figured that temp would suffice. About 5 days later the white spots are disappearing and almost can't even find them. I appreciate you letting me know what to do from here and how to get the system back on track for…</p>
<p>Hi Jon, I posted this in the catfish forum as well and got some great feedback. That's interesting that it's the change in salinity, not the salt that kills ich. I raised the salt to 3ppt with 12 lbs as you said. The water is consistently about 74-78 and I don't have a heater but figured that temp would suffice. About 5 days later the white spots are disappearing and almost can't even find them. I appreciate you letting me know what to do from here and how to get the system back on track for plants. The water hyacinth that was in the system does not like the salt at all, had to take em out. Thanks always for your help. Hope to see you this weekend!</p> Hi Adam, just noticed this en…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-08-12:4778851:Comment:3824132012-08-12T19:22:19.520ZJon Parrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonParr
Hi Adam, just noticed this entry, seems my gmail account has been randomly throwing notifications in the spam folder. Great. Anyway, it may be to late, but it sounds like Ich, and you can treat with salt and raising the temp to the mid 80's (speeds up the life cycle). Cats can take 3 ppt, which is .3%, which is a lot more than a pound per 500 gal., you actually need 12 lbs of salt to reach 3 ppt in 500 gallons. I use course rock salt from HD or Orchard, $5 per 50 lbs.<br />
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Use the formula (FT…
Hi Adam, just noticed this entry, seems my gmail account has been randomly throwing notifications in the spam folder. Great. Anyway, it may be to late, but it sounds like Ich, and you can treat with salt and raising the temp to the mid 80's (speeds up the life cycle). Cats can take 3 ppt, which is .3%, which is a lot more than a pound per 500 gal., you actually need 12 lbs of salt to reach 3 ppt in 500 gallons. I use course rock salt from HD or Orchard, $5 per 50 lbs.<br />
<br />
Use the formula (FT gallons) X 8 X .00S(S is your desired ppt, in this case 3) = pounds of salt to add. So for you, 500 X 8 X .003 = 12<br />
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The change in salinity is what kills Ich, not the salt itself. So I do a water change, bring temps up, add salt all at once and keep it salty for a couple of weeks (meaning if you do any more water changes, add 3 ppt to the top up water). After two weeks, do daily 50% water changes with fresh water at least 3 time (1st change nets 1.5 ppt...2nd nets .75 ppt...3rd nets .375). This is a good level to keep salt at long term, for the health of the plants and the fish. If Ich persists, do it all again. Hi all,
Yesterday I noticed w…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-08-06:4778851:Comment:3803092012-08-06T16:52:10.543ZAdam Klieghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdamKlieg
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>Yesterday I noticed white patches on some of the catfish's fins. On the catfish that has it the worst, it looks like a piece of solar salt. On the others, it is still very small and is almost like a pimple. I tried to get a picture, but no luck. I looked into this and it could be ich or collumnaris and it seemed the only thing to do with catfish is to raise the salinity. I added 1 lb of solar salt to 500g of water (just under 3ppt). Does anyone have any other suggestions as to…</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>Yesterday I noticed white patches on some of the catfish's fins. On the catfish that has it the worst, it looks like a piece of solar salt. On the others, it is still very small and is almost like a pimple. I tried to get a picture, but no luck. I looked into this and it could be ich or collumnaris and it seemed the only thing to do with catfish is to raise the salinity. I added 1 lb of solar salt to 500g of water (just under 3ppt). Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what this could be and treatment for it? I appreciate your help!!</p> Adam, how many catfish in 175…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-31:4778851:Comment:3776592012-07-31T14:29:28.386ZJon Parrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonParr
Adam, how many catfish in 175 gal? It is my opinion that FT volume matters little in determining stocking density. In fact, hi density stocking may help mitigate aggression, or breeding behavior, and thus be advantageous. What does matter, is biofiltration capacity, and nutrient draw. Common advice on these forums is 1 lb fish to 5 gal FT to 10 gallons of Media, with a seasoned max of 1 lb of fish per cubic ft of media (7.5 gal). Rafts and hybrids have less agreement on stocking densities, but…
Adam, how many catfish in 175 gal? It is my opinion that FT volume matters little in determining stocking density. In fact, hi density stocking may help mitigate aggression, or breeding behavior, and thus be advantageous. What does matter, is biofiltration capacity, and nutrient draw. Common advice on these forums is 1 lb fish to 5 gal FT to 10 gallons of Media, with a seasoned max of 1 lb of fish per cubic ft of media (7.5 gal). Rafts and hybrids have less agreement on stocking densities, but I think again about 1 lb max per sq ft of planted area. Ibc's are what, 12-15 sq ft each (I don't use ibc's, they're fugly)? So three ibc's planted is near 40 sq ft, so I'd go a max of 40 lbs o eventual fish size. Cats are usually eaten 2+ pounds, so maybe 20 catfish. I'd also put in a few bluegill in addition (variety is the spice of life), and eat/stock as needed to maintain 40 lbs or less. Keep in mind that the plants themselves (actually the roots) become a major part of biofiltration in raft systems, and major tear out and replant will throw things off balance. No biggie unless you are already stressing your bio-load. Well so far I've had very lit…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-26:4778851:Comment:3750862012-07-26T21:24:03.338ZAdam Klieghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdamKlieg
<p>Well so far I've had very little water loss, if any but there are only 11 smaller fish and no plants, we'll see what it looks like when the system is filled.</p>
<p>Paul came over on Tuesday and helped figure out the positioning of the netpots (2"). We went with 7" centers. This gave us 35 holes on a 37"x44" raft in the IBC. I have 70 holes available. What are your recommendations on the media to germinate into and use inside the netpots? Are there any varieties of smaller headed lettuce,…</p>
<p>Well so far I've had very little water loss, if any but there are only 11 smaller fish and no plants, we'll see what it looks like when the system is filled.</p>
<p>Paul came over on Tuesday and helped figure out the positioning of the netpots (2"). We went with 7" centers. This gave us 35 holes on a 37"x44" raft in the IBC. I have 70 holes available. What are your recommendations on the media to germinate into and use inside the netpots? Are there any varieties of smaller headed lettuce, kale, collards and herbs that seem strong in AP systems (going to make a seed order)? Any recommendations for strong fall/winter crops to order seed of? If anyone would like to split a seed order, buying larger quantities usually has significant discounts!<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772221594?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772221594?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a></p> Glad to help, Tim.
As far as…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-24:4778851:Comment:3736372012-07-24T16:39:54.010ZJon Parrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonParr
Glad to help, Tim.<br />
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As far as water consumption being 10% for AP compared to "conventional" farming? In my opinion that is BS. Perhaps there is some data for some particular place with some particular crop that supports this. TC says that in Florida the ground is so porous that water (and nutrients) simply pours right thru the soil, and gardens must be continually watered. Same with Australia. But not here. I live in a mild climate, seldom over 90, and seldom under 40, pretty damned awesome. We…
Glad to help, Tim.<br />
<br />
As far as water consumption being 10% for AP compared to "conventional" farming? In my opinion that is BS. Perhaps there is some data for some particular place with some particular crop that supports this. TC says that in Florida the ground is so porous that water (and nutrients) simply pours right thru the soil, and gardens must be continually watered. Same with Australia. But not here. I live in a mild climate, seldom over 90, and seldom under 40, pretty damned awesome. We didn't even get a frost last winter. I grow dirt produce all year long, and it only requires casual watering every few days in the 4-5 warmest months. My AP requires copious amounts of water everyday, all year long. Is it water efficient? Yes, especially considering I'm growing fish as well, but not 10%, not for my case. Jon, as always, this makes TO…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-24:4778851:Comment:3732242012-07-24T04:42:52.357ZTC Keenanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TimothyCharlesJosephKeenan
<p>Jon, as always, this makes TOTAL sense! Thanx! Tim</p>
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<p>Jon, as always, this makes TOTAL sense! Thanx! Tim</p>
<p></p> Looks great, Adam.
Timothy,…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-23:4778851:Comment:3728812012-07-23T22:48:17.447ZJon Parrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonParr
Looks great, Adam.<br />
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Timothy, the float fill valve is placed down low in the sump tank, as in it is underwater most of the time. Suppose a 275 gallon IBC is used as the sump, and the pump needs at least 50 gallons in it to avoid running dry. The float-fill valve should be placed just a bit higher than the MIN amount of water required to flood pump, as in the 75 gallon mark or so. This frees up about 200 gallons of surge capacity in sump (275-75=200). So long as you don't need more than 200…
Looks great, Adam.<br />
<br />
Timothy, the float fill valve is placed down low in the sump tank, as in it is underwater most of the time. Suppose a 275 gallon IBC is used as the sump, and the pump needs at least 50 gallons in it to avoid running dry. The float-fill valve should be placed just a bit higher than the MIN amount of water required to flood pump, as in the 75 gallon mark or so. This frees up about 200 gallons of surge capacity in sump (275-75=200). So long as you don't need more than 200 gallons differenc between full flood and full drain, then all is good. The top-up water will not enter until the minimum level drops below the 75 gallon mark during full flood. And the whole valve is made of plastic, and doesn't mind being submerged. A toilet fill float works too, and is cheaper if you're crafty enough to modify it. If for some reason you don't want the whole mechanism at the bottom of your sump, then you can mount a float only down there and use a connecting rod to actuate a valve remotely. Clear as mud? Great photos, Adam!
And thank…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-23:4778851:Comment:3727432012-07-23T15:52:11.188ZTC Keenanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TimothyCharlesJosephKeenan
<p>Great photos, Adam!</p>
<p>And thanks, Jon, for the feedback. Still unclear to me how on keeps the sump from filling while water has filled the grow beds, then not overflow when that water returns to the sump. Is it in part because the float valve filler simply takes some time to fill, and the return from grow beds can "catch up" before too much water is added.</p>
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<p>Also, I had to ask myself a critical question when I heard that a system like Adam's can "lose" upwards of 50 gallons…</p>
<p>Great photos, Adam!</p>
<p>And thanks, Jon, for the feedback. Still unclear to me how on keeps the sump from filling while water has filled the grow beds, then not overflow when that water returns to the sump. Is it in part because the float valve filler simply takes some time to fill, and the return from grow beds can "catch up" before too much water is added.</p>
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<p>Also, I had to ask myself a critical question when I heard that a system like Adam's can "lose" upwards of 50 gallons per day in a Sacto Summer: is the claim of water-use-efficiency for aquaponics as valid for such systems as for ones where the system is tightly controlled ("uses only 10% of water compared to commercial agriculture" is one common claim I see/hear).</p>
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<p>Anyway, I'm convinced it's a worthwhile endeavor, just like truth in advertising.<a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p> I moved the pump to the FT, t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-23:4778851:Comment:3725532012-07-23T02:01:23.962ZAdam Klieghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdamKlieg
<p>I moved the pump to the FT, towards the floor, just seemed easiest at that point. It's working well and everything is moving as it should. I also raised the piping 2' to make it easier on the pump to move the water around the system. Using extra PVC and some window screen, I made a cover for the FT too. …<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772222312?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772222312?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></img></a></p>
<p>I moved the pump to the FT, towards the floor, just seemed easiest at that point. It's working well and everything is moving as it should. I also raised the piping 2' to make it easier on the pump to move the water around the system. Using extra PVC and some window screen, I made a cover for the FT too. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772222312?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772222312?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772223277?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772223277?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>