Green onions and Leeks for aquaponics

   Who doesnt like the onion class of vegetables?

   I first tried some cuts of green onions. It was soooo simple. I used the tops in what ever I was cooking that night and then I placed the bottom of the bulbs in a net pot with expanded clay and within the next day I seen growth. You amazingly cut the same green onions every 2 to 3 weeks. And even sooner if you like the small ones. The only problem that I have is they grow so quick and absorb the water also if you dont cut them in a reasonable time they will fall over. The green onions get very big around. I usually juct cut a few bunches when I harvest and what I dont use I cut and freeze.

 
   Then I tried the leeks the same way. And yes I know usually folks want the white part of the leeks.
Well maybe so, but try some of the green part diced up like a regular onion and you will see its a gold mine. Just cut what you want when you want. And they grow very fast too. I have bags full in my freezer so that when I need a lil onion, this is what I use. Does well in a dip too. Growing Leeks in Aquaponics is definitely one of my top to grow.

   And After doing an experiment with chives, Growing chives in aquaponics works pretty good too. They take a lil extra room, because they spread out, and if having the choice I prefer the net pots over the grow grips. The chives dont seem to get as wet on the bottom in the et pots. But all in all thay produce very well and after cutting it all back to put in freezer. I would say within just a couple weeks maybe 3 they are ready to harvest again.

     Growing all these onions is such a great addition to your basic lettuce and basil plants. And they are hardy in most temps. They do like a lot of light but if not they just stay a smaller version longer.

Give them a try. I think you will like it.

Oh and please support The ASC MAgazine. Its for sustainable foods for now and the future

   

Feeding my fish lettuce

   Sometimes I have extra lettuce  or some has gotten too big and bolted from the July heat so my Tilapia fish get the treat.  I have 2 tanks and they get fed 3 times a day. So once a day they get a dish of lettuce. They eat everything except the stalk if its too thick. they tug at the roots first.

   It gives them stuff to do for about 30 to 45 minutes.  I pull the stalk out when they are done to prevent rot and that part goes to the compost bin.

   This cuts down on my fish food a lil. 

  

Oh and dont forget to support the ASC Magazine.

Its all about sustainable foods for now and the future.

How I washed My IBC tote for Aquaponics

   I had washed my tote out the first time, but it was quick wash and rince but no hot water.
I work a lot and didnt take the time. That was a very big mistake. There seem to be a reidue left I think because I had a smell to it and my water stayed cloudy.   It is important to use hot water. I now use a  propane cooker to boil water .
   Also I did not know what was in the tote previously. Just because someone says its food grade doesnt mean they know for sure. Lets just say it did not smell like apple sauce. lol.
   HArd lessons learned are always the best lesssons.
   I now have other fish tanks and raft systems made from these totes. Washed them VERY well.



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12 volt lighting for Aquaponics Green house.

This is my 12 volt lighting option that I am trying. It seems to work pretty good.




    The Camera didnt catch the lighting very well. but I can go into my green house any time and it is alternative power in case power outrages. It keeps all pumps going in my aquaponics.

lit  up more than enough to see by and feed my fish.The  12 volt lights and fans stay on all the time. so I never have to turn switches on or off.It is run off my solar panel back up system.  Its

    I have replaced most of the 12 oz bottles to the coke bottles without lables. seem to do very well.

The LED's are bought off of ebay for $4.00  for 20 of them. I placed 5 in each bottle. Pretty sure you can buy lights already made for cheaper but It was an idea I had to see if it worked, and I am very happy with them, oh and there is different colors now so if you want to build grow lights the same way, I am sure it would work pretty good.

    My fish likes them ( or not lol) sometimes I come in late from work, and it is nice to just go in to check on things and feed them.

 I use pvc fittings to encase the wire and hold the mouth of the bottle. I will be running a long series of  pipe and fittings from the top of the green house.  Easy enough to glue or ziptie the bottles into the fittings.

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Thanks and remember, simple is easier and funner~!

My Aquaponics green house update.

   Here is my new Aquaponics Green house. I recently moved from Arkansas to Alabama to assist family. So I ma having to start all over.

   The green house is a 10x20 hoop house with 6mil plastic. Seems to work well and holds up to fairly strong winds.

   As of this video, there is only one fish tank. will be putting in one more for the other side. That will make two separated systems to make it easier to control.

    The trays that I am using on this table is mixing trays that you can get from hardware stores, usually coast around 15.00 each.   Also there is a swirl filter but no bio filter at this time. 

There is a lot of plants inside that I am wintering over like the lemon and lime trees and some bananna trees too. They will be moved out soon and the rest of the aquaponics can be added.

I am planning on putting in 3 more 3x4 raft systems on the one side and a filtration system on the back side of the green house.

The only lights that are in here is 12 volts.  I bought some LED lights and built my own bulbs with water and coke bottles. They are run off a batter system that I have from solar panel.. Check my videos, you will see the  Solar generator.

2 fans are installed to move the fans, they are computer fans that run off 12 volts also.

The heater is  one that I made out of a barrel and built an oven on top! never know when you want to have baked fish right?

I will update soon with the next side of the green house. \

Thanks
and please subscribe.

Trouble shooting fish problems in aquaponics

   Well, we all hope to the perfect Aquaponics system, and usually, we only have to worry about the  nutrient intake for our plants.

   But sometime our fish have issues too. It is up to us to prevent them or treat them as soon as
possible.

   Fish are prone to bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections and most fish problems are human induced.

  First off before we go through the common problems, lets just say if you have a choice, make sure you get your fish from a reputably fish supplier, not saying that getting fish from someones back yard off of craigslist is bad, I do it all the time, but do note that it is a better possibility to get infected fish that way.

  So now to the point of it all...STRESS! There are not that many diseases your Aquaponics fish can contract. Stress is the number one problem for fish.
 
   Lack of oxygen is the first  that we should prevent. Rolling the water over is key. Plenty of aeration from the BOTTOM. Having the air bubbles on the top of the surface doesnt help as much.

    High volume of fish solids and food is a big concern. This will lead to high levels of ammonia and low levels of oxygen.  Pumping the settlement from the bottom of the fish tank into a swirl filter or a medium bed will help, but more importantly is watching the food intake. If there is food left then slack on the feed next time.

   Excessive handling is not a good idea, just because you want to show all your friends and family whats in the tank, its not good for the fish. So put the net away until harvest time.

  Water quality should be steady. If it fluctuates or has a bad source, the ph levels can spike up or down causing issues and of course if you get your water from town supply, it will have to be dechlorinated.   Keep a supply of rain water in a drum to use when water levels drop.

   Keep your algae levels low. Algae will give off oxygen during the day, but will starve it during the night. Keeping your fish tank covered or if its plastic, you can paint it or cover it in plastic. This will keep the sunlight from growing excess algae.

   If there is a bulling fish, it should be removed. Some fish will push other fish, or rob feed from them. It isnt very common, but it does happen. if so, it needs to be removed.

   Water temperature should be checked regularly. Place a digital thermometer, ( I use an auto in and out thermometer) where is is easy to see If your fish or cold natured  fish then keep it that way, and if your fish like warm temps, then expose them to the adequate heat and put a heater to keep the water maintained. Grow your vegetables accordingly. Some veggies like cold temps and some like warmer temp, use this to your advantage!

   Detection:

• Fungal infections: Fungal infections are can be seen as white botches on your fish’s fins and or body.
• Ammonia Toxicity: Fish are gasping for breath; fish have red and inflamed gills; fish appear lethargic; fish doesnt like to eat; and fish have red streaking on the fins or body.
• Low dissolved oxygen: Fish die in quick succession; fish are seen gasping for oxygen; hot weather is current; or fish die overnight and algae is present.

  

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