My very small aquaponics system

[Hydroponics Curacao]

Hi everybody!

You guys probably remember me as Brandon Koots. The boy with a 7 gallon raft system. I grow Guppies. I got about 30 of them. 

• 2 adults
• 28 babies

A lot of people told me that the plants' roots can not hang in the same water as the fishes. But I kept my system the way it is. 

They also told me that my system is too small. But I still kept my system the way it is. 

 

Now I got about 10 plants in my system and they are growing great! 

• pH: between 7 and 8
• Nitrite: 0.0 ppm
• Nitrate: 10 ppm
• Ammonia: between 0 and 0.5 ppm

My system is now almost 2 months old. So for those who thought this won't be a success here are some pictures!

Before: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After:

[Eric Warwick]

Great work, how did the cycling go, did you lose any fish, how have you dealt with nutrient lock--if any. For clarification, though, people suggested a larger system because, smaller systems are less stable, we ultimately wanted you to experiment. This gives me some hope on a future system, as well.  

[Hydroponics Curacao]

There was no problem. The only thing I did was giving the fishes food and testing the water.

[TCLynx]

Welcome Back, Good to hear that your cycling wet well and that the fish are doing well.

[Hydroponics Curacao]

Thanks

[Rik Kretzinger]

Good for YOU  ---

I started with a 10 gal system also, you will learn a lot about how aquaponics works and how to solve problems.  One thing that I found in a small system is that when thing turn they turn fast and you do not have much buffer to play with.  It is important to make sure you stay with the 1:1 ratio for correct bio filter effect.  One way to add a little extra protections to the system is add a mechanical  filter setup.  You still get the nutrients you need, but it will clean out some of the solids that can over power a small system.  Looks great and kept up the good work and enjoy.

[Hydroponics Curacao]

Thanks!