Tom Price DIY AP System

Wal

Day three for our fish and so far no deaths. The pH seems a little low and I am concerned about this... should I be?

I also backed off the food a little as they don't seem to want to eat much.

Anyway, two new pics below... fish and one GB.

Outbackozzie

Dont stress too much about low pH.

I would like to know how to get some barra out to kal....

freoboy

in a tank

BlueThumb

Have you added an airpump to your system yet, Wal? If not, it may be a prudent decision considering your temps and stocking density!

BlueThumb

BlueThumb wrote:

Have you added an airpump to your system yet, Wal? If not, it may be a prudent decision considering your temps and stocking density!

Edit: I see your spraybars, but have you contemplated bubblers?

Now Andy's moved up to TP, you'll have to get him set up!

Wal

Well we have been running for a few weeks now and have had fish for the last two of those weeks. I graded the Barra yesterday and split the larger one from the tiddlers as a few were being consumed for lunch by the bigger fish. I have also added a home made bio-filter as a trial.

We planted a Passion Fruit today so it will be interesting to see how it goes in the GB.

I have added a few videos to better define the system.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5hkL-18JVI[/youtube]

RupertofOZ

Just use the "youtube" link Wal... and include the filename between the brackets... "H5hkL-18JVI"

Like this....

Wal

Doh! Lets try again... Part 1 now available above or below.

... that's better, thanks Rupe.

Decal

Hi Wal,
Welcome to the world of YouTube! :thumbright:

What neat looking system and love the clear water, the benefit of having your tank indoors out of the sun. :hello1:

Please keep the videos coming!

:flower:

Wal

Ok, now I have tried just about everything over the last month HCL and lemon juice but my pH is still solid at 8.2. I am now convinced that I will let the system sort itself out.

On a separate note I have been poising fish and have just discovered that they are being eaten by the pump. I have now put a basket around both pumps and the Barra look much happier? If only I was smarter the first time around.

Wal

Today we had the first real test of our aquaponic back up system. The power outage was scheduled for 60 minutes but ended up being 95 minutes in total. The back up pump switched on automatically and easily handled the 95 minute duration. The pump is connected to a 12v battery supply and this in turn is on a constant trickle charge and is maintained at 100%... I test the system weekly. Our second "reconnection" outage occurred this afternoon and the battery was back at 100% to look after our Barra in their time of need.

Back up pump http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/prod15.htm
Power fail switch http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/prod155.htm
12v Battery charger http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/prod89.htm

RupertofOZ

Good to hear Wal.... and it's probably good to give the batteries a bit of a run down/test every now and then anyway....

gnash06

Good to know it will handle 95mins Wal :thumbleft:

How long do you think it will actually run for if a serious outage happened ?

BlueThumb

Hey Wal -

Did you get to the bottom of your chilli 'stalk dropping' mystery?

I noticed today that I have the same issue. Peculiar. Take a look here !

If you have an answer - lemme know. The chilli plant is pretty much the only thing that isn't or hasn't worked in my AP system thus far!

BTx

Wal

Hi folks. Just thought I would take a quick video of my wonderful baby Barra... not the best video but I am a novice at this you know.

Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics