Our “I’m in over my head” CHOP2 system. (long version) Do over - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T10:15:20Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/our-im-in-over-my-head-chop2?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A194741&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYes, I like to keep drains ac…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-09-19:4778851:Comment:2207852011-09-19T23:21:01.934ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
Yes, I like to keep drains accessible since I have to regularly clean roots out of the stand pipes when I grow huge plants. (Corn, Lufa and bananas have all proven they will grow down the drains in my systems even with the 24 inch deep beds and stop the drains up pretty good.)<br/>
Yes, I like to keep drains accessible since I have to regularly clean roots out of the stand pipes when I grow huge plants. (Corn, Lufa and bananas have all proven they will grow down the drains in my systems even with the 24 inch deep beds and stop the drains up pretty good.)<br/> Hi Jeff, I had a blockage in…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-09-19:4778851:Comment:2207302011-09-19T02:26:20.817Zbarry hockinghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/barryhocking
Hi Jeff, I had a blockage in one of my tanks this morning it was caused by root growth entering the stand pipe. If It was underneath the surface of the grow bed I would not have been able to see or fix it. Below is some of the cause. Regards, Barry.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186654?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186654?profile=original" width="348"></img></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186731?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186731?profile=original" width="348"></img></a> what came out…
Hi Jeff, I had a blockage in one of my tanks this morning it was caused by root growth entering the stand pipe. If It was underneath the surface of the grow bed I would not have been able to see or fix it. Below is some of the cause. Regards, Barry.<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186654?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186654?profile=original" width="348"/></a><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186731?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772186731?profile=original" width="348"/></a>what came out of the stand pipe. Sorry all, been off the grid…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-09-16:4778851:Comment:2199652011-09-16T15:12:58.013ZJeff Hesshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffHess
<p>Sorry all, been off the grid for a month as things at work are CRAZY right now. It's a good thing, but I'm working 13 to 14 hours a day 7 days a week. Luckily this "work project" will end on Oct 2nd and I can go back to life as I once knew it and will be back in sync with our aquaponics project.</p>
<p> JANE to answer your questions: The top level of the fish tank is even with the grow beds. There was no reason other than being easy to get to the fish. 1/2 the tank is buried. I use a CHOP2…</p>
<p>Sorry all, been off the grid for a month as things at work are CRAZY right now. It's a good thing, but I'm working 13 to 14 hours a day 7 days a week. Luckily this "work project" will end on Oct 2nd and I can go back to life as I once knew it and will be back in sync with our aquaponics project.</p>
<p> JANE to answer your questions: The top level of the fish tank is even with the grow beds. There was no reason other than being easy to get to the fish. 1/2 the tank is buried. I use a CHOP2 type system so there is only one 750 gallon fish tank, one 300 gallon sump and one 3000gph pump in the sump running the system on a flood and drain type set up. As far as the sump sizing goes.... it was a guess and I got lucky.</p>
<p> Everything seems to be working GREAT right now. The pests are under control, and all the plants are beautiful in color and production. This has been a learn by doing for me. The biggest problem I came across (besides aphids and spidermites) was starting this project just before summer hit with a green house that needs more venting in the 100+ degree valley of Southern Calif. I learned you can't plant everything you want in the dead of summer in a greenhouse without A/C.</p>
<p> The water issues also seem under control and thanks to the great people of this Forum, I'm learning to suppliment the plants with the food they were lacking and be patient while the system cycles up. Now the PH is stable around 6.7 the Ammonia doesn't seem to go over .25, nitrites always at 0 and nitrates stay at 160. Next month when life goes back to normal I will be looking into Barry's suggestion (post above yours) and start planting my fall/winter crops.</p> I love this setup , functiona…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-09-16:4778851:Comment:2199422011-09-16T02:44:19.444ZJanehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Jane33
<p>I love this setup , functional and attractive. I have these 3 questions.........</p>
<p>Is your fish tank water level higher or the same as your grow beds?</p>
<p>Is there one pump in the sump ?</p>
<p>What are the ratios to help determine the size of the sump in comparison to the water everywhere else ?</p>
<p>I love this setup , functional and attractive. I have these 3 questions.........</p>
<p>Is your fish tank water level higher or the same as your grow beds?</p>
<p>Is there one pump in the sump ?</p>
<p>What are the ratios to help determine the size of the sump in comparison to the water everywhere else ?</p> Hi Jeff,
To be honest I don't…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-26:4778851:Comment:1961042011-08-26T05:57:28.435Zbarry hockinghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/barryhocking
<p>Hi Jeff,</p>
<p>To be honest I don't like when I can't see how much water is going into a grow bed or how much is flowing out of each individual grow bed. Point 2 The out flow should be in the middle of the grow bed not at one end. This causes a wave effect on the out flow of water. Also dead zones at the further-est end from the drain. Jeff with the grow beds you have there is a flow problem only not the feeding as they eat the food in less than 1 minute. Feeding only becomes a problem if…</p>
<p>Hi Jeff,</p>
<p>To be honest I don't like when I can't see how much water is going into a grow bed or how much is flowing out of each individual grow bed. Point 2 The out flow should be in the middle of the grow bed not at one end. This causes a wave effect on the out flow of water. Also dead zones at the further-est end from the drain. Jeff with the grow beds you have there is a flow problem only not the feeding as they eat the food in less than 1 minute. Feeding only becomes a problem if the food just lays around the fish tank not eaten. 3 Do not turn your pumps off ever. You must have a constant flood and drain for this system "eg" there must be a constant flow ether in or out. It only takes 30 to 45 minutes of no water flow to start killing off Aerobic Bacteria. Especialy at the temperature your tanks are at. It is not just Aerobic Bacteria that is needed in the system you also need Fungi. Fungi is what starts breaking down more of the solids. At this point I must add the Aerobic Bacteria it's self does not feed the plants. They carry the nutrients for the plants. The nutrients they carry are not released till the Aerobic Bacteria is consumed by other organisms. So Please don't think it is just Ammonia Nitrite them Nitrate end of story that is only 2/3 of it.</p>
<p>Regards, Barry.</p>
<p>you may like to have a look at I just finished drawing it for you Jeff.</p>
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<p>password: guestguest</p> Jeff, what's your pumping sch…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-26:4778851:Comment:1950422011-08-26T01:40:45.527ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Jeff, what's your pumping schedule? Does it pump all the time and use siphons? Or are you running timed flood and drain?</p>
<p>If you are running timed, then you might want to increase your pumping and see if that helps bring the ammonia down. Many people who usually do timed flood and drain with stand pipes will go to constant flow constant flood for a while when ever water quality is suffering.</p>
<p>Jeff, what's your pumping schedule? Does it pump all the time and use siphons? Or are you running timed flood and drain?</p>
<p>If you are running timed, then you might want to increase your pumping and see if that helps bring the ammonia down. Many people who usually do timed flood and drain with stand pipes will go to constant flow constant flood for a while when ever water quality is suffering.</p> Hi Jeff,
Nitrates come from t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-25:4778851:Comment:1951132011-08-25T19:04:08.765ZHarold Sukhbirhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/HaroldSukhbir
<p>Hi Jeff,</p>
<p>Nitrates come from the conversion of ammonia by bacteria. These nitrates are the end product of a healthy biological system and are needed for plant growth. Nitrates can be as high as 200ppm safely in AP systems. Test the ammonia early in the morning and at noon, if you are getting a reading at both times up to 1 ppm then you have to regulate it by decreasing your feeding.The bacteria will convert ammonia over time but you can prevent spikes. You can regulate ammonia spikes…</p>
<p>Hi Jeff,</p>
<p>Nitrates come from the conversion of ammonia by bacteria. These nitrates are the end product of a healthy biological system and are needed for plant growth. Nitrates can be as high as 200ppm safely in AP systems. Test the ammonia early in the morning and at noon, if you are getting a reading at both times up to 1 ppm then you have to regulate it by decreasing your feeding.The bacteria will convert ammonia over time but you can prevent spikes. You can regulate ammonia spikes by managing your feeding regime. At these high temps you want to keep an eye on ammonia. to deal with high ammonia readings i divide the feeding into three parts feeding morning, noon and afternoon. If you must feed all at once you have to decrease the amount you'd normally feed.</p> Next queston... why would my…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-25:4778851:Comment:1947412011-08-25T16:21:15.620ZJeff Hesshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffHess
<p>Next queston... why would my Ammonia and Nitrates keep slowly climbing? The system holds over 1000 gallons of water and has plenty of growbeds and turnover of the water. Very little algee with clear water. We have 65 Talpia about 3"+ long and I only give them 1/2 cup of food so they eat it all in seconds. These are the latest readings. Ammonia 1.0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 30ppm, PH 6.7, water temp 84.</p>
<p>Thanks all. Jeff</p>
<p>Next queston... why would my Ammonia and Nitrates keep slowly climbing? The system holds over 1000 gallons of water and has plenty of growbeds and turnover of the water. Very little algee with clear water. We have 65 Talpia about 3"+ long and I only give them 1/2 cup of food so they eat it all in seconds. These are the latest readings. Ammonia 1.0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 30ppm, PH 6.7, water temp 84.</p>
<p>Thanks all. Jeff</p> Hi, Good for you John. One of…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-24:4778851:Comment:1931512011-08-24T05:54:20.596Zbarry hockinghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/barryhocking
<p>Hi, Good for you John. One of the best and most natural way also to drop the PH. is to drop a branch from a grape vine in there. "Tight Wad" NO you are not this is what Aquaponics is about. Keeping every thing as natural and organic as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Regards, Barry.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hi, Good for you John. One of the best and most natural way also to drop the PH. is to drop a branch from a grape vine in there. "Tight Wad" NO you are not this is what Aquaponics is about. Keeping every thing as natural and organic as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Regards, Barry.</p>
<p> </p> I have used vinagar for dropp…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-24:4778851:Comment:1934182011-08-24T04:26:59.324ZJohn Jayhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/johnjay
I have used vinagar for dropping ph in the PH as as well as wood and leaves ( yep I am a tight wad but it worked)
I have used vinagar for dropping ph in the PH as as well as wood and leaves ( yep I am a tight wad but it worked)