IBC Aquaponics Update

The IBC Aquaponic system in Delaware is still cycling.  Its had some pH swings, too high, then too low.  When it was high, I added some HCl to lower it a bit.  When it was low, I drained about 1/4 tank and added hose water which is high pH.  Green algae still a problem.  I cleaned algae from grow bed by waiting until the Bell siphon kicked on, shutting off the pump, and waiting until the water all drained from the grow bed.  Then I just wiped out the algae.  No sign of the two Koi fish added before cycling.  :(  Im sure theyre dead.  Well, now that Ive killed some fish, I guess Im a real aquapon.  :-/

When I last checked on the system on September 1st, the nutrients looked like this:

Seedlings are growing, and Im planning on adding them when they get a little bigger.

My dad has started constructing a PVC frame for a small greenhouse.  Were going to try to use insulation, water heaters, and maybe a small space heater to keep the system running through the winter.  Well see how it works out!

The bell siphon had stopped working for a few days.  It seemed like the grow bed wasnt filling up quick enough to kick on the siphon.  We took apart the pump and cleaned the filter, and it pumped water much faster, fixing the siphon issue.

Below are a couple sketches of my plans for the system.  I was originally thinking of adding a solids filter that would sit above both grow beds, but now Im thinking that if I add a sump tank to grow duckweed, I can add a radial flow solids filter, and a solids lifting overflow to the sytem, which might help keep the system clean, especially the pump.

Old Plan

New Plan

Were deciding between a 90 degree roof, or a rounded roof.  I think the 90 degree roof will help keep snow off the top of the greenhouse, which is my major concern.

We just have to get the greenhouse up before it gets cold.  My dads having almost as much fun with this project as I am!

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IBC Tote!

A few weeks ago, I saw a post on reddit.com/r/aquaponics where someone was offering to sell an aquaponics-ready IBC tote.  I had to drive down to Alexandria, VA, but it was worth it.  I was able to get this awesome 330 gallon tote, already cut in half, including plumbing and a pallet, for only $180.  Im going to set it up at my parents house in Wilmington, DE in the Spring.  Its pretty much ready to be set up, and just needs a pump.  This will be my biggest aquaponic system to date, and Im excited to see how it turns out.  I have a few months to plan the system, but Im thinking about building more grow beds to link into the large fish reservoir that well have.  I might even set up some strawberry towers.  Super exciting!

This is what it looks like now.

 

This is what it will look like in a few months, hopefully.

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Apartment system update from October 27th and Harvesting some Bitter Arugala

Heres a quick video of the system from late October.  I ran out of room on my camera, so its a quick video.

Also, a few days later on December 3rd, we harvested the arugula.  It ended up being too bitter to eat.  We harvested it too late.  Im still learning about growing veggies, but its been a fun experiment!

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Aquaponics Greenhouse update

I took a quick video of the Aquaponic IBC system my small greenhouse.  The Alpine Strawberries are doing great, but all the tomato plants look dead.  Im buying another heater to keep the water a bit warmer, and we have a small space heater in there to help the plants and koi fish to survive the winter.  The mint growing in the ground is still thriving, and its definitely not cold inside the greenhouse.  My next step is to build a solids lifting overflow, and a radial flow filter from a 5-gallon bucket.  Then Ill hook them up to the IBC tank, draining into the 100gallon sump tank.  Then Ill add a stronger pump which will pump water to both grow beds.  Im hoping to get all this done by spring so we have a fully assembled system by then.  Check out the video:

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New IBC Aquaponics in Trenton NJ

My buddy Graham with th SAGE Coallition in Trenton, NJ has started up a makerspace called The Hive.  I believe there are at least 5 artists now using their warehouse space to create art, and awesome projects for the community.  They have a bunch of IBC tanks, and a few South-facing windows, so Graham started constructing and IBC aquaponics setup.  I came over to lend a hand one night and snapped a few photos.  Enjoy!

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