apistos and and aquaponic setup

[Jplebron]

Hello all my apisto afficianados I am currently looking into an indoor aquaponics system using my apisto tanks (30gal and a 40gal).im wondering if any of you have done this and if so what system did you use?What "soil" did you use?did u use a sump like system?what were the biggest chalenges?were there any losses?thank you guys i will begin to share photos once i begin the process all the way through.thank you my apisto family!!!

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I used to use over-tank plastic guttering with hydroleca in it, and pump the water up to it with a maxijet powerhead, but there would be no reason why you couldn't use a sump.

I'm not sure Apistogramma would be any good if you wanted to grow vegetables etc. because they like low conductivity water. If you didn't find having Aroids like Anubias, Philodendron or Epipremnum etc then it works pretty well.

My initial design had slits in the bottom of the drain pipe, but these clogged easily, the later version was on a very gentle slope and internal baffles to retain the hydroleca. An advantage of Aroids is they have pretty chunky roots, which makes occasional maintenance easier.

cheers Darrel

 

[Jplebron]

please excuse my ignorance but what do u mean by low conductivity water?and I was thinking of starting out with a similar over tank set up as u have mentioned i will take note of your design also did u try using lava rock under your hydroleca???i hear that helps as it gives room for the water to flow freely without clogging.thank you for your insight darrel i hope to hear from u again soon.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

please excuse my ignorance but what do u mean by low conductivity water?

If you are growing Tomatoes etc. you have a nutrient rich growing solution with an electrical conductivity of ~3,500 microS. Apistogramma are soft water fish that come from water with one or two orders of magnitude less salts.

and I was thinking of starting out with a similar over tank set up as u have mentioned i will take note of your design also did u try using lava rock under your hydroleca???i hear that helps as it gives room for the water to flow freely without clogging.thank you for your insight darrel i hope to hear from u again soon.

I didn't use lava rock, but I think it is a good idea under the hydroleca.

cheers Darrel

 

[Jplebron]

Ok thanks again. Do u know of any edible plants that may work with the apistos?herbs?veggies?fruits?and what are your thoughts on alternatives to hydroleca?can't find it anywhere locally...i was thinking of using eco complete instead,do u think that would work?thank you!!!

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Do u know of any edible plants that may work with the apistos?herbs?veggies?fruits?

Basil might work. I've grown Monstera deliciosa like this and that eventually fruits, but not any time soon. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) might be another option, or Ipomea aquatica?

and what are your thoughts on alternatives to hydroleca?can't find it anywhere locally...i was thinking of using eco complete instead,do u think that would work?thank you!!!

It is probably a name thing, they are used for planters etc some I'm pretty sure they will be for sale somewhere. I've always used Hydroleca, partially because it is light in weight.

Have a look for "Expanded Clay Aggregate Pebbles", "Hydroton", "Hydrocrunch" or "Hydrocorn".

cheers Darrel

 

[Jplebron]

OK THANK YOU VERY MUCH U SEEM VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE WHEN IT COMES TO PLANTS,I AM FAIRLY NEW TO IT SO ALL YOUR RESPONSES TRULY HELP.

 

[Jplebron]

I AM GOING TO TRY USING LAVA ROCK ON THE BOTTOM AND ECO COMPLETE BY CARIB SEA IN PLACE OF HYDROLECA.I WILL START WIT SOME HERBS AND MAYBE WATER SPINACH

 

[gerald]

Here's an aquatic plant farm operated by Carl LeBron ... maybe a distant cousin of yours?
https://www.facebook.com/pg/StonyHillFarmWFNC/posts/?ref=page_internal

 

[Jplebron]

NO WAY????REALLY A LEBRON?FUNNY ALL MY LIFE IVE NEVER MET ONE WHOM I WAS NOT RELATED TO LOL THANK YOU GERALD

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

OK THANK YOU VERY MUCH U SEEM VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE WHEN IT COMES TO PLANTS,I AM FAIRLY NEW TO IT SO ALL YOUR RESPONSES TRULY HELP.

I'm much better with plants than I am with fish.

Darrel