The Backyard Farmer video update- Aquaponics at the completion stage of construction
www.thebackyardfarmer.org This weeks video I finished the construction of my aquaponics system. The entire project is cycling. The fish tank, two sump tanks, and twp grow beds are all working in sequence. I have planted only one plant at this time and it is doing great. I show the progress on the other seedlings. The siphons were both changed to bell siphons in the growbeds.
21 Responses to The Backyard Farmer video update- Aquaponics at the completion stage of construction
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Just FYI, plants don’t use UV light. Chlorophylls absorb light around 660nm (deep red, almost infrared) and 450nm (bright blue, almost UV) most effectively. Depending on what exactly you’re growing a little orange around 615nm helps too for carotenoids, I believe that’s tomatoes and carrots for example. Just incase you wanted to set that up. 🙂 happy planting
MrLoverThe
February 16, 2013 at 4:33 am
Nice job. I was wondering if your gravel will be porous enough to house enough beneficial bacteria to break down the ammonia. I know hydroton is porous but very expensive. I use 1/4″ lava rock. After cycling my systems, I have never had any ammonia spikes. Looking forward to your progress. Thank you. Check out my videos on fishandgreens channel.
fishandgreens
February 16, 2013 at 5:27 am
hey, im growing giant leeks in my system and there the size of mature green onions in 2 weeks
toy thomas briggs
February 16, 2013 at 6:26 am
if you are using rock or media for your garden make sure the water level stays below the top the media. If you are just using water with the roots hanging then make sure the whole reservoir is covered with plants or wood or plastic.
72chevelle156
February 16, 2013 at 6:58 am
Is the only growing medium rock?
rhooie
February 16, 2013 at 7:16 am
get a few pleco..they like to have somewhere to hide so id suggest building something at the bottom of the tank but they will eat up all the algae
Max Havok
February 16, 2013 at 7:39 am
use duck weed like he said it will keep algea down and feed the fish. take about 36 to 48 hours for one foot section of duck weed to become 2 feet so you will have to balance out the food intake of the fish with the growth of the duckweed. also to cut down on the algea you could cover the top of your holding tank with some vegtibles that also feeds the fish with the roots and the plants use the dirty fish water for fertilizer. good luck
mitchell85347
February 16, 2013 at 8:01 am
Good job reminds me of growing in hort class back in 87 it was awesome 12 ft tall tomato plants really got me thinking I have some hoop house frames in my back yard been sitting there since 01 let me know how its going what do you do with the tilapia when the temp gets below 50 we stock blue Mozambique here in north Tx for bass forage but I never have caught any
houndawgman
February 16, 2013 at 8:55 am
Just a thought. The water supply to your grow beds might want to be located to the far end of the bed away from the bell siphon so that the nutrients have a chance to flow down the length of the beds before being evacuated by the siphon.
benchkey
February 16, 2013 at 9:47 am
Call me cheap but whenever I buy green onions I plant the bottom inch or so in my garden. If it is winter I grow them out in a container of water. So I guess they will grow in a soilless system.
marshgre
February 16, 2013 at 9:50 am
nice setup 🙂 great vid
yobooyoboo
February 16, 2013 at 10:39 am
Well as you know I am just starting also. I have looked at a few places and only one seems reputable. The White Nile tilapia is probably where I go with. I saw that the Urban Farm Guys just started selling tilapia also, but is the quality there at first. I am sure they are gonna be good in the future, but right now I would go with White Nile. If anybody else has references please let us know.
backyardfarmer12950
February 16, 2013 at 11:33 am
Where, if you don’t mind me asking, are you getting your tilapia from? I’ve just started my system as well and have an algae problem due to my garden having exposure to the sun all day.
yustinaaron
February 16, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Really nice explaining things. I am just starting , and nice video.
CoffeeAndAViewdotcom
February 16, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Your Welcome. and’, alright. keep an eye out for future vids of mine, too, please. I also may need some help and advice in the future.
DIYHydro
February 16, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Thank you for your comments. Keep an eye out for future videos. I can use your help!
backyardfarmer12950
February 16, 2013 at 2:14 pm
YES! you can definitely grow green onions in an aquaponics system. In fact, that is the only thing i grow in my mini aquaponics system, even though it might be so good.
DIYHydro
February 16, 2013 at 2:35 pm
You need more plants for the cycle. Where is water test kit? Good to see that you are at the cycling stage.
K Kingsley
February 16, 2013 at 2:35 pm
@meancoyote I don’t know yet. If I do, I already have a plan of attack.
backyardfarmer12950
February 16, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Good to see your update, using the bell siphon, and your IBC’s.
VeggieManCenter
February 16, 2013 at 3:13 pm
You don’t need UV light.
meancoyote
February 16, 2013 at 3:26 pm