Aquaponics system. Need people to critique my system

[helomech]

A little update. Fish are doing great, the 25 I moved to the big tank all seem to be doing fine at least none are floating.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_102100.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_101734.jpg

Banana trees and sugar cane plants.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_102012.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_101957.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_102002.jpg

[helomech]

And I added a grow bed and a swirl filter to my green water tanks.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_101931-1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120826_101918.jpg

[bacpacker]

Looks good helo. Lots of progress since the hole in the ground.

[helomech]

Thanks bacpacker. Hoping to pour the concrete next time I am off, but I am not sure I will make that deadline.

[helomech]

Well as some of you know the wall collapsed on my system. Got it put back up and will be pouring concrete on Monday.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P5140075_zps25138275.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P5140075_zps25138275.jpg.html)


In the mean time I have everything moved to this location, and also going to try out a DWC tank. I added it today, now just to get the material (any ideas are appreciated) to float on the surface, and some net pots.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P5140073_zps66dd1bc0.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P5140073_zps66dd1bc0.jpg.html)

This tank is going to be a DW (Deep water tank). It is going to have a floating raft on the surface of the water, with the plants sitting in net pots and the roots hanging into the water. The water is dirty, because I cleaned out a grow bed and stirred up all the sediment.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P5140076_zps34b89e31.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P5140076_zps34b89e31.jpg.html)

[Grumpy Old Man]

Looks good Helo!

[bacpacker]

Helo, Have you had much problem keeping your systems in balance? Any problems with plant die off? Fish kills? If so what have you found to be the problems that caused it? About how much time per week would you guessimate you spend keeping the system up and running?

[helomech]

Helo, Have you had much problem keeping your systems in balance? Any problems with plant die off? Fish kills? If so what have you found to be the problems that caused it? About how much time per week would you guessimate you spend keeping the system up and running?

No not really, never had any issues with my plants. I have had some fish die, but I think it is because of the temperatures, tilapia can't handle cold temps (I had bass in the system for a while and never lost a bass). As far as weekly maintenance, there really is not much. Trimming yellowing leaves, and feeding the fish is about it. Now every now and then the grow beds need cleaned out, had to do that for the first time this week. Had one grow bed that was not draining properly and had to clean out all the roots. That was not fun, but it has been almost a year and a half of running time. I believe it was the sugar cane that caused my problems, and I won't be planting sugar cane any more, way too much root system on them.

[bacpacker]

Thanks Helo. I had jist been wondering about it.

[helomech]

Well the wall is fixed and the concrete is poured, should not have to worry about the wall falling now. Going to start building the green house next time I am off. Need to do some math to figure out how long the pipe will have to be to span 30 feet and to give me the height I want.

[Vodin]

My indoor AP system ( an tiny 55 gallon barrel ) has exceeded my expectations. I have pulled out about 20 Green beans and 2 of the 50 tomatoes growing tasted great. The tomatoe plants have grown to the roof and are curling over.

I am now completing a 150gallon setup in my basement. And when that one is running I will finalize rebuilding my 1800 gallon pond with growbeds. (11'x12')

My indoor systems will run year round and the pond will be running for the Colorado growing season. All the work and time I have put in these was taxing.

I can only imagine what you have done Helo. I am in awe with what you have accomplished.

[helomech]

Thanks, I don't want to think about what I have spent already, and still have at lest 6k more to spend. Probably more than that.

[helomech]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7020024_zps20f11341.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P7020024_zps20f11341.jpg.html)

[helomech]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7020026_zpsdbd66eb2.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P7020026_zpsdbd66eb2.jpg.html)

[helomech]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7030027_zps7ed2713e.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P7030027_zps7ed2713e.jpg.html)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7030032_zps0b3913d5.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P7030032_zps0b3913d5.jpg.html)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7030030_zpsdfee9920.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/aquaponics/P7030030_zpsdfee9920.jpg.html)

[bacpacker]

Now that is a good start Helo. Looks good.

[Metrocruiser]

Hello helo and fellow subscribers.
I just read the whole thread from start to finish over the past 5 days. Im very impressed with your standards of work helo. Kudos to you and your family. Those tomatoes look yummy, how are the ep's?

[helomech]

Hello helo and fellow subscribers.
I just read the whole thread from start to finish over the past 5 days. Im very impressed with your standards of work helo. Kudos to you and your family. Those tomatoes look yummy, how are the ep's?

Thanks, but what are ep's?

[Metrocruiser]

Silly me, eggplants.

How is the project coming along and how has harvest/yield been over the summer?

Has the greenhouse been completed, I can't wait to see some updated pics.

[helomech]

Silly me, eggplants.

How is the project coming along and how has harvest/yield been over the summer?

Has the greenhouse been completed, I can't wait to see some updated pics.

Oh, not much has been happening. My water was not right and my growth has been horrible. Started topping off with pond water and now everything is growing great. I guess my well water has to high a ph. Greenhouse is on hold till I get my finances in order. Had to take a pay cut at work so not spending any extra money till I get comfortable with the new pay. But now that my water is right I have eggplants growing, tomatoes going crazy, dwarf banana trees are going nuts, so from now on will only be topping off with pond water and rain water once my greenhouse is built.

[Metrocruiser]

Awesome. Glad to hear your ph problem was remedied.

Can I ask how many mature tilapia you have at most times and how much and what do you feed them?

[helomech]

Awesome. Glad to hear your ph problem was remedied.

Can I ask how many mature tilapia you have at most times and how much and what do you feed them?

Not much right now, because my big system is not up and running till my green house is done. I have about 14 adult tilapia inside that are my breeders, maybe 10 big ones outside, and about 100 smaller ones outside. Once my big system is done, I am hoping to grow at least a few hundred a year. Not sure how much feed, I just dump feed in and watch them. I put as much as they will eat.

[ditchmedic]

I just read this entire thread and still have no idea what is going on, but it looks cool.

When I say read, I mean I treated it like a picture book.

[Metrocruiser]

Hi Helomech, how about an update on your system please.

[helomech]

Don't have one running right now. Hoping to finish my greenhouse this summer.