IBC Aquaponics
A place for IBC tote systems to share what they have learned and system designs.
Update to my IBC system
Plants are doing amazing. Peas growing all over the rafters, squash growing over the media bed, down to the floor, tomatoes tied up to the rafter and flowers everywhere however, fruit production has been extremely poor. 3 tomatoes, one huge cucumber, several smaller squash not growing very much, the chiltepin peppers have lots growing but thats about it. I added a 50% shade cloth, exhaust and input fan at opposite ends of the greenhouse. Water is staying in the low 80's. Fish seem to be more or less active depending on the PH. About 12 died in April and May, lost only one since and they are growing. I shake the tomato plants for pollination but shaking all the plants doesnt seem to be doing anything so I am thrilled with the plants but disappointed in the production. Adding about 10 gallons of water a day due to evaporation, filling two 5 gallon pails in the morning and then putting that water in the tank the next morning.
Any recommendations to increase the production? Is hand pollination the only way and is it different for each type of plant? Thanks to all for your help.
Mike
Jeff S
I use the recommendation from Bright Agrotech. Every other week I put in 3 tbsp. Epsom Salt, 3 tbsp. potassium sulphate, 6 tsp. iron chelate into my 500 gallon system. Everything looks real healthy. Before I started doing that the plants didn't look as good. If I need to raise pH I substitute the potassium sulphate with potassium hydroxide and sometimes hydrated lime (garden lime). Carbonates work just as well but create a buffer, which is good for the most part, but the buffer makes accurate quick changes to things like pH a little more difficult for folks like me who don't do measurements every couple of days. If you haven't found the Bright Agrotech videos I suggest you take a look at them. Everything you need to know about aquaponic nutrients in short accurate videos.
Jul 20, 2015
Mike Beckman
Thank you Jeff and Leo White Bear. I have been using Potassium bicarbonate(suggested by Vlad early on) to bring my PH up and I added a teaspoon yesterday for PH and the additions suggested above. Will get some epsom salts today and do the same. I am adding the micro-nutrients to the grow bed right under the water input from the fish tank. Is it better to add it to the water directly? Will also try the hand pollination suggestions today and glad I dont have an acre to do!! Wow. Jeff, thank you for the Bright Agrotech recommendation, will find and view them asap. Also will let you know how I make out and once again, thank you for both of your interest and advice. Much appreciated.
Jul 21, 2015
Jeff S
If you have a sump that's the best place to add nutrients. If not just put them in a jar of water to dissolve them. Not sure what adding direct to the bed will do as far as bacteria and we know you don't screw them up.
Jul 21, 2015