Start of my aquaponic a system

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I have decided to add aquarium gravel to the bottom of the raft beds. The beneficial bacteria colonize on surface area, so the more gravel or hydroton you have, the more ammonia you can convert to nitrogen. Also, adding gravel to the raft beds (roughly 1.5") will have a colony per bed; adding even more nitrogen that hasn't been converted in the media beds.

I don't know why no-one else has thought of this, or maybe they have and it didn't work. Regardless, I'm gonna try it anyway.

Are you getting ammonia buildup, or are you just thinking to do a higher stocking ratio?
 
Brian, I want to overbuild my system. You can never have too much filtration or oxygen. If you have the means to add, then why not?
 
I'm not nearly qualified to answer those questions, but my gut feel is that at some point in overstocking (who knows? 2fish/5gal, 3? 5?) the filtration becomes a secondary effect to cannabalization, fish stress, susceptibility to disease, whatever. If you're still well clear of that, then keep on keepin' on.
 
I'm not nearly qualified to answer those questions, but my gut feel is that at some point in overstocking (who knows? 2fish/5gal, 3? 5?) the filtration becomes a secondary effect to cannabalization, fish stress, susceptibility to disease, whatever. If you're still well clear of that, then keep on keepin' on.

Ahhhh that makes sense. I was thinking of just 2 fish per 5 gallon
 
Is aquaponic a big word for water boarding? How long can you hold yor breath underwater?
 
Wow, they are sure growing away.

In my hydroponic system I use rock wool, but what you use is reusable.

Look forward to updates.

Yeah that's why I'm using it. I want reuse everything to avoid waste
 
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Updated broccoli, cauliflower and bush beans

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Updated zucchini, soy, bush, sweet pepper and brussel sprouts

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New seedlings of mixed salad

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Kale, mixed salad and leech raft

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Butter lettuce raft

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Lighting system and climate control

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Red romaine and green romaine lettuce

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Strawberries

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Seedling of spinach and kale
 
Where's the tomatoes?

I won't grow tomatoes in this system because of how dense the roots are. I did build a separate unit, using a 55 gallon drum and larger siphon, but that will be used in the system at work.
 
What kind of bait will you use to catch the fish?
 
I won't grow tomatoes in this system because of how dense the roots are. I did build a separate unit, using a 55 gallon drum and larger siphon, but that will be used in the system at work.

I was thinking what a great salad you could make, but you have to have tomatoes.

This should be stickied so we can see the progress.
 
HEY MAGS!!!!

Brother, I want an update, please!

Thanks to SPD for finding this thread for me, I am sure that there are several who would like to revisit this project of yours. Also I am looking at starting up something similar, and any advise after a year of operation I am sure would be of benefit.
 

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