Aquaponics for Vegans/Anubias Farm

[nalu86]

Originally Posted by DogFish

I like the nepenthe, grow is vey slow so maybe it needs more humidity? I have two new leaves that start making pitchers.

In my opinion this set up would be better outside or best in a greenhouse. The outside wouldn't work in Chicago Land and I don't have a greenhouse.

There are dozens of ways to do this outside. Spend some time on youtube. I saw one nice pond with raised grow beds from Austraila that was really done well and rather inexpensive.

you can actually do it outside, as long as you keep your tanks heated. I saw a video on youtube, everything was covered in snow, but he still had growth.

[DogFish]

Lettuce update



I think I got my Golden Beet clone started!
The Ghost Pepper clones NOT so much.

[DogFish]

The Lettuce should be ready for the Thanksgiving table, note the tomatoes in the upper left corner of the grow bed. Compare to the 11/5/2012 pic above. Very happy with them too.


New growth on all Anubias, losing old leaves. Got some algae growth on the old leaves. I've cut the photoperiod on the Fish tank back to 8hrs. I did a H2O2 spray today on the Alage cover leaves



NEW - Anubias barteri 'glabra'

[chad320]

Is that Basil too? Nice work! Are you supplementing ferts too? I am going to start a huge operation in the springtime with some Koi as the only fert source other than the food I feed them.

[DogFish]

Chad - Yes, it's Basil. There also Parsley now hidden by the Lettuce next to it.


I have down a bit of Dosing. I don't think the Goldfish are offering enough Marco "support". For Traces I'm experimenting with Azomite. I'm also using it in my 40gl display tank. I feel I'm seeing growth & color improvements but my methods are far from scientifically objective and I lack a control study.

Just the same I'm very happy with the results in both tanks.

I see the possibility of a Pond and Grow Bed outside next spring myself.

[izabella87]

Very frikin cool setup!

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by izabella87

Very frikin cool setup!

Thank you

I think this could be done a bit smaller too for an Apartment, with a 20L tank on the bottom of an Aqurium stand and a grow bed on top. Might be best for herbs maybe a single tomato.

[In.a.Box]

how the tub holding up? Hunting down grow bed to grow pak choy

[DogFish]

No problems with the Tub at all. I do recommend it. It does need full bottom
support so build that into your design.

I could see problems if your drain/supply holes were cut to tight to the fittings as that could cause a crack or wrap in the plastic. I thought I'd be clever at cut the 1st access hole tight and attempt to tap it with the threaded fitting. BAD IDEA I caught the flex on the 1st quarter turn and stopped.

[In.a.Box]

Thanks for the head up. I was planning to make the hole smaller than the fitting for a tight fit. So a 3/4 hole with a 3/4 fitting would be fine?

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by In.a.Box

Thanks for the head up. I was planning to make the hole smaller than the fitting for a tight fit. So a 3/4 hole with a 3/4 fitting would be fine?

Yes, I'd also suggest a flat soft(er) rubber gasket on the for the inside fitting vs. a round "O" ring. I ended up using silicone with the "O". In most video builds it really doesn't matter if there is slight leaking/dripping as the open sump tank tends to be directly under the Growbed.

In mine, there is a wood shelf that would eventually rot.

[DogFish]

TODAY ~
Prior to Harvest for Thanksgiving dinner


60day update video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okL6B...ature=g-crec-u

Pics from Video:







Scotch Bonnets from last summer, finally ripe.

[Dawn Haze]

Nice set up. I love the concrete tubs for grow containers I have had one in almost continous use for growing baby lettuce for 5 years. If the white flies are still a problem try yellow sticky paper.

[DogFish]

Did a little maintenance today. I removed the Bucephalandra and relocated it to teethe 40 to grow submersed for a while. It was developing BGA. Maybe too long a photo period & high lift combination?

I also speared out the plants that were not harvested for Thanksgiving dinner. I moved the Parsley to the lower light section of the growbed.



Tomatoes in bloom



Developing Butter Crisp head

[DogFish]

I also pulled the Nepenthes 'sanguines black' and put it in a 5gl emersed tank. I was getting new growth leaves but it was not producing pitchers. I felt it might be a humidity problem. In one week I'm seeing pitchers starting on two leaves.