Comment

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on August 31, 2012 at 1:41am

Hi Bob and all. Got your message. Please forgive me. I know I've been quiet but there is a reason. Been kind of doing my mad scientist/civic activist thing so will be kind of out of touch for the next month or so. Will seek answer your questions below shortly however.

Comment by Nathanael on August 31, 2012 at 12:36am

Thanks Bob.  I've been reading on this site for some time now and you always seems to have great insight and wisdom. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Comment by Bob Campbell on August 30, 2012 at 11:32pm

@Nathanael - I think what John is saying is add ammonia until your water test indicates 2-4ppm.  You what to feed the bacteria and then check to see that it has converted nitrites to nitrates

Comment by Bob Campbell on August 30, 2012 at 11:26pm

@Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. - Your backyard aquaponic system has clearly out performed most of ours. 
I have read everything you have ever written, but I can't find any thing to help me understand how your system is designed.
Please provide us with some details about how you have accomplished the exceptionally low power consumption, and abundant food production.
30 pounds of fish and 40 pounds of vegetables!  $0.36 per day! That's fantastic! 

I see that you are using what appears to be a 10 ft pool. 
Where do you grow your fish, in the pool with the vegetables?
If so do you separate the fish from the plants? How?
What nutrients do you supplement? 
Iron chelate?
Magnesium?
What pH do you strive for?
How much and what type of food do you use?
What's the fish to water ratio?


What levels do your Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Phosphate run at?
How often do you do water replacement, and how much?  
Do you have a media bio filter, or settling tank?  If so please tell us about them.

 

I would really appreciate a video tour that reveals the mystery behind your success.

Comment by Nathanael on August 30, 2012 at 11:23pm

John, Thanks a bunch for the good info.

This may sound like a silly question but... how do I make sure to measure out 2-4ppm of ammonia. Is there a specific amount per 100 gallons?

Comment by John Malone on August 30, 2012 at 8:30pm

@Nathanael  : That looks like a good set of numbers on the water chemistry.

Before you add fish, be sure that you can dose with 2-4ppm of ammonia and have zero readings of ammonia and nitrites 24 hours later.   If you can do that for a couple of days, I'd say that you're ready for fish.  

2 1/2 weeks is pretty quick for cycling a new system.  Well done.

Comment by John Malone on August 30, 2012 at 8:27pm

Welcome Nathanael.  Glad to have you aboard.

Feel free to ask any questions and make any comments.  We try to be a friendly bunch here and there's a very wide range of experience too.

I'm having good success with the Nile tilapia fingerlings that I got from Sheri Schmeckpeper, who is very active on this forum.   Send her a private message and I'm sure she'll sort you out.   She had a LOT of fry and fingerlings last I saw.

Comment by Nathanael on August 30, 2012 at 7:04pm

Hey Everyone, I'm brand new to this so not really sure where to post but I have a few questions. I just finished building my first system (a few start-up pics are on my prof. system has come a long way since those pics though) been cycling my 400gl system for about 2 and 1/2 weeks now and things are looking really good. The plants are taking off and my readings are: PH - 6.8, Ammo - between .25 and 0 (hard to tell), Nitrite - 0, and Nitrate - 40.

I believe that my system is getting very close to adding fish. I would love your opinions on what breed of Tilapia you prefer here in the phoenix area and a good place to purchase.

I've been leaning toward Blue because of their ability to handle lower Temps than other breads and because some say they are the best tasting. What do you all think.

An other advice you all can give would be incredibly helpful.

Excited to join this journey with you all.

thanks so much

Comment by Larry on August 30, 2012 at 11:10am

Watermelon Really So now my chicken fight over the watermelon rinds and now my fish too. I am sure am glad i am the one who eats first LOL.

Comment by Bob Campbell on August 30, 2012 at 8:30am

@Larry - I have another solution that I have been experimenting with.  I've placed an aquarium in a sunny location, and it's growing thick algae which the fry eat.  I've been giving them treats, but I think the algae is really all they need.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 300
• 301
• 302
• 303
• 304
• …
• 558
• Next ›
• Page