How are my numbers?

[jesse farnsworth]

Ibc tote flood and drain system. 150 gallon fish tank. One grow bed 40x48x12"deep. One grow bed 40x48x7"deep and another grow bed that will be running this weekend same size as first one. System up and running since April 1st 2012.
Ph 7.6
High ph 8.0
Ammonia .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40
15 tilapia 5 to 8" long
4bluegill
4 cantaloupe plants from lowes
5 watermelon plants from lows
Several green beans plants by seed
Cantaloupe and watermelon plants are starting to turn brown on old growth. Been in system since April 1st. Have a gallon of maxi crop with iron on the way. So how much maxi crop should I use and what do the experts think about my systems numbers? I'm a newbie and love aquaponics so far, very addicting though. Something else I should mention is I have a 3 acre pond on my property and I started the aquaponics fish tank with water from it. I've feed the fish game fish chow a few times. The big pond has a lots of Filamentageous algea in it right now and was wondering if I could take some out and put it in aquaponics tank? I stock the big pond with tilapia to eat the algae and to feed the bass. I live in ennis Texas which is north Texas. Thank you for reading my post and appreciate any help from y'all with my system.

[jesse farnsworth]

Sorry I left something out I am using expanded shale 3/8" in grow beds. I think I'm regreting that

[TCLynx]

Patience. 

No don't put algae into your aquaponics system.

The melons are probably not enjoying your high pH, I've not had much luck with anything in the squash, melon or cucumber family in aquaponics so far but I made the mistake of using shells as media in my aquaponics system back in the beginning.

Hopefully the seaweed extract will help.  How much to use, I'd guess about an ounce or two but that much will turn your water dark.  I usually just add a splash into each grow bed under the water inlet once a month or so.  You might dose with it weekly for a few weeks since your system is new and probably lacking in potassium and trace elements.

The 3/8" shale may be on the small side but other than the initial elevated pH I expect it should be ok for the first season or so.  You will have to keep an eye on it over time to make sure it doesn't clog up too much with old roots and slow water flow.

[jesse farnsworth]

One to two ounces per growbed tc?

TCLynx said:

Patience. 

No don't put algae into your aquaponics system.

The melons are probably not enjoying your high pH, I've not had much luck with anything in the squash, melon or cucumber family in aquaponics so far but I made the mistake of using shells as media in my aquaponics system back in the beginning.

Hopefully the seaweed extract will help.  How much to use, I'd guess about an ounce or two but that much will turn your water dark.  I usually just add a splash into each grow bed under the water inlet once a month or so.  You might dose with it weekly for a few weeks since your system is new and probably lacking in potassium and trace elements.

The 3/8" shale may be on the small side but other than the initial elevated pH I expect it should be ok for the first season or so.  You will have to keep an eye on it over time to make sure it doesn't clog up too much with old roots and slow water flow.

[TCLynx]

Yea, I do about a shot glass or so worth of seaweed extract per 100 gallon grow bed on occasion.