Eddie's AP system with soil and hydroton as media

[foodchain]

Me personaly, others may have a different opinion. BUT I would would change out more of your water.

[eddiemigue]

K. Thanks.

[eddiemigue]

Foodchain, let me know if I answered all your questions or if you want more details, which I'll be more than happy to provide.

[eddiemigue]

Hello all,

Here's a quick update with system progress/expansion. Tilapia have been growing nicely and are getting close to 4" and continue to look very healthy. Plants have grown well, with a good amount of flowers, but no fruit yet. There are some that show light deficiencies, and I am tweaking layout/lighting accordingly.

Also, just added a DWC/duckweed tank, which is before the FT in the water column. The inlet T's into the duckweed area, which is separated from the growing area by matala filter, and I have lettuce, chard, dandelion and cress growing there. This should improve water quality even further, give me greater redundancies, and lower my nitrates, besides providing more food for us and the fish. Also have an air stone next to the matala, on the DWC side.

[JCO]

Looking very good...keep the photos coming

[eddiemigue]

Thanks JCO. Just noticed that I don't have any recent pictures of the whole system (may have been lost in the purge) so here it goes. Also, any chance that you're ready to send me some scuds?

[JCO]

Yes I can send the Scuds, but give me until next Thursday before you make your purchase. I will be back in town then.

[davidstcldfl]

Looking nice...

[eddiemigue]

Good stuff JCO - I'll order then.

Thanks David. Looking at your avatar reminds me of the growth in the fish, which are now about 4" and starting to really look edible.

[eddiemigue]

Hello all. How long does it take for a system to be mature enough to support fruiting plants? I have a bed with soil, which should support plants right off the bat, and a hydroton one, but neither is producing fruit. Some of the plants are doing well, while others are meek, but while I get tons of flowers, no fruit. I have been using a small brush to hand pollinate the eggplant, pepper and cucumber, but nothing yet.

I can't imagine that the soil side would have any nutrient deficiencies since the soil could support the plants without the AP water. Could insufficient light, or excess nitrogen be the issue?