Finally! Another update after a long period of dormancy! Not that I totally neglected aquaponics, I just dont have anything fun or nice to show off. Unlike other peoples system, mine isnt that successful. No lush jungle growth or monster fish. Ive yet to enjoy my first fully aquaponics meal like the one shown in Murray Hallams video.
Anyway heres an update of my system. Ill start with some old pictures, followed by bad news and then finally the good news!
Here are some NICE old pictures taken over the last 3 months:
17 March
Overgrown tomato "bush"
Bak Choy doing well in the beginning...
Single tomato flower. They kept falling off in the beginning.
Purple okra never did well. They were infested by aphids. I had them removed later.
21 March
Gave the tomato plants some trimming. Lots of flowers but no fruits.
Left growbed
Ripening chilli fruit
Fully ripen chilli next to a green one
During that time, my chilli plant went berserk and produced around 15 fruits. Juicy chillies! They were hot as well.
15 April
Trimmed the tomato again. Bak choy showing signs of deficiency. The bottom was also getting overcrowded that time.
This is a single piece of root from ONE tomato plant that had been clogging the right growbeds outlet pipe.
Okay, back to present time. Now the bad news... The plants have been showing signs of nutrient deficiency. It looks like a lack of potassium or magnesium... or maybe both. I dont really know. Also, I removed all except one Bak Choy plant because they werent growing so well. Most were stunted with brown edges. I threw most of them in to the tilapia tank.
Chilli plant had stopped bearing fruits like crazy
Leaves yellowing with brown edges. Curled up as well. What could it be?
Roselle have not been doing well since the beginning
New growth showing sign of chlorosis. Growth is slow too.
The remedy the problem, Ive been adding potassium in to the system in the form of cream of tartar. I couldnt find any other forms of potassium. Previously, I used to bury banana flesh in the growbeds.
For magnesium, I used dolomite lime. It contains calcium and magnesium, but I read from somewhere that I shouldnt use too much of this stuff.
Finally, the good news...! :D The good news weve all been waiting for!
WE... HAVE... TOMATOES!!!
Indeterminate tomato plants need plenty of space. Im still learning how to grow them.
Green tomato!
A red one there! 4 on the left! Dont ask... Yes, I have eaten that one. Firm, sweet, & juicy!
More tomatoes!
My tomatoes didnt bear any fruits at first. Just flowers, no fruits. That was until I started adding cream of tartar in to my system. I wasnt sure how much cream of tartar Im supposed to put in to my system, so I just added 1 teaspoon every week. Ive already stopped adding them and will only continue once my plants show signs of potassium deficiency again.
This basil plant which once was a mysterious seedling now growing healthily. I wasnt sure how the seed got there. I think it is Genovese.
Fish water is getting clearer recently. Im not entirely sure why, but I think its due to the tomato plants working hard to suck out nitrates from the system which then improves the efficiency of the nitrifying bacteria. Or maybe its due to the massive tomato root system which helps to capture suspended solids in the water.
Its been a year since I bought my tilapia and they havent reached plate size yet. They dont eat much; only a handful of pellets everyday. They also dont grow at the same speeds. Some are like 9 inches long while some remained at only 3 inches. Im not very experienced with fish keeping, but I think water quality effects their growth. Its like the fish instinctively go on a diet to reduce poop saturation levels. Oh well, not that Im in a hurry.
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