HD Aquaponics – Ep.28 – Swirlponics, Swirl Filters and External U-Siphons, winter greenhouse update
And we’re back! This episode we look at the swirl filter that is cleaning the blue tilapia fish tank. We also look at the greenhouse during the off season. Website: www.hdaquaponics.com Forums www.hdaquaponics.com Music by Chris Wells – burn it up
25 Responses to HD Aquaponics – Ep.28 – Swirlponics, Swirl Filters and External U-Siphons, winter greenhouse update
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salsa is a good idea and it can keep for a long time
Irishgirl41
January 16, 2012 at 10:25 am
@tdbt3c I just use organic liquified kelp that I picked up from my local nursery. I doubt the chlorine content would be high enough to do any real damage. (I’m not even sure if mine contained it.) I don’t use much, maybe a couple of tablespoons for a 55 gallon system. I also used it to jump-start my greenhouse system before I added fish. As long as you don’t put too much the fish not even know the difference. That and chelated iron are the only nutrients I use.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 11:12 am
Hey Ed, another question: I believe I heard you say in one video that you had been putting seaweed extract in you system as a supplement. Do you recommend a certain brand? Also, what concentration did you use? I assume it’s fish safe, but then I wonder with the chlorine that is in it as a preservative. Do you use any other supplements to boost your micronutrients?
tdbt3c
January 16, 2012 at 11:57 am
@tdbt3c You can find my contact info on the website listed in the video info. If you want, sign up on the boards and ask away. Either by email or message board, I’m always happy to take questions.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 12:24 pm
NM, figured it out! Durka dur…sorry everyone…
tdbt3c
January 16, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Is there a way I can send you a PM or email? I’ve got a few detailed questions that I’d like to bounce off of you, but I don’t think I can do it all 500 characters at a time, nor do I want to clutter your videos with comments (too late?…)
tdbt3c
January 16, 2012 at 12:51 pm
BLAST! It didn’t cut me off on characters so I just kept rambling. Anyway, thanks for your detailed videos. It’s really helped me get started with my setup. Keep up the good work!
tdbt3c
January 16, 2012 at 1:04 pm
What size pipe is your external U-siphon. Funny, when I first started looking at aquaponics, I was perplexed by how the bell siphon worked, yet the U-siphon made sense right away, but they are essentially the same thing.
Anyway, I’m looking at building a grow bed similar in size to yours and was wondering how well the U-siphon works, and again, what size it needs to be. Seems like it may save some space.
I suppose I’m going to have to make a video of my current setup. It’s not much, but unique
tdbt3c
January 16, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@SpeedGimp Hmm, that’s a good idea. The smaller systems are harder to get growing as well as the bigger systems so I’ll be doing everything I can to get this going. Thanks for input!
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Have you considered putting a thin layer of gravel at the bottom of the tilapia tank? It’ll provide another place for beneficial bacteria to grow and they’ll slowly breakdown the solid wastes that accumulate in the gravel bed. If the layer of detritus ever gets to be too much, you can add Muck Away or a similar product that will load your gravel bed with bacteria that will speed up the breakdown of waste into silica and in turn provide more nitrates for your plants.
Glad to see you back, btw.
SpeedGimp
January 16, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@edpozek : )
bluegreen1138
January 16, 2012 at 3:12 pm
make some tomato sauce
dwiggs77
January 16, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@highvoltagerob I do have worms in most of my systems. Whenever I come across some I usually add them to my system.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@FloppyHatPhotos Also, I have been running that system for about a month with no sand cleaning needed as of yet.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@edpozek Do you have worms in your grow bed? I find they do a very good job of cleaning my grow bed.
highvoltagerob
January 16, 2012 at 4:45 pm
@bluegreen1138 Thanks, I will.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@FloppyHatPhotos I know the waste wont hurt the plants being in the bed but I’m finding that overtime the build-up really plays a roll in the smooth functioning of the system. Besides the plants rely mostly on the nitrates that are built up by the bacteria.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@MrMadmax478 I think this is going to need to be a topic for an entire video. I think if I could go back and make changes I would have put more thoughts into the sump tanks of the system. They are going to be essential for 1 pump systems.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 5:57 pm
@JoshABand Thanks! We’re actually trying to breed the blue tilapia. Just need to figure out how to tell male from female.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 5:58 pm
@myclem6674 I’ll have to look into that, thanks a lot.
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 6:13 pm
@wildside126 Thanks!
edpozek
January 16, 2012 at 7:10 pm
nice, i love your set up.
wildside126
January 16, 2012 at 7:47 pm
if you’re still having nitrate / nitrite / amonia problems (which you may with the amount of sand that you used), try a sulfur reactor. easy plans available online
myclem6674
January 16, 2012 at 8:05 pm
I breed white nile tilapia if you are interested in ever purchasing more 🙂 I know you have been expanding your systems at a pretty fast rate.
JoshABand
January 16, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Freeze them and use them for spaghetti sauce!
Can’t wait to see what you do next year!
noctame
January 16, 2012 at 9:23 pm