Water cooling using aquaponics tank

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
Clones usually take a week or two to root. It's possible that sprig was already partially broken off or in contact with the rocks and was throwing roots even before you stuck it in. Then again, maybe you've just stumbled onto an ideal cloner, lol
It was off the top of the plant and broke off when it got caught against the line going to the heatsink. The plant was big so it was bound to break a chunk off regardless of how careful i was
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
It was off the top of the plant and broke off when it got caught against the line going to the heatsink. The plant was big so it was bound to break a chunk off regardless of how careful i was
Hmmmm... Yeah I definitely need to get myself an IBC container and some tilapia.

Cue meme from Finding Nemo; I'm having fish tonight!
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
It is possible that the time between water and air is just right and maybe the plant is drowned in nitrates causing fast growth with all the light hitting it. Its around 20,000lux where it was put. Only way to find out is to do another clone this time with picture of the cut site, the placement in the grow bed, and pictures every day until roots are formed. Also exact readings of lux hitting the spot, temperature, and nitrates when planted. I think i'll try the banana pepper plant next.
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
Your setup has solved a lot of problems I was wrestling with. I'm surprised the rocks don't get nasty over time.
Well the rocks do kill most leaves that touch it, so there are times when you will pull dead leaves off the bottom but it really looks clean for what all has been in the grow bed.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Well the rocks do kill most leaves that touch it, so there are times when you will pull dead leaves off the bottom but it really looks clean for what all has been in the grow bed.
I have a lot of water cooled COB LED lights, it would be a shame for them to go to waste.

It's an excuse, right? LOL
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
I have a lot of water cooled COB LED lights, it would be a shame for them to go to waste.

It's an excuse, right? LOL
Sounds like a very serious problem, cobs with nothing to grow lol. Mine is the opposite, not enough cobs yet....i really should order more as i definitely need to expand the grow space asap. Maybe clone a bunch of plants and run out of room. Not on purpose of course lol.
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
Well this is bad timing for them to breed....anybody want tilapia fingerlings? Lol
Luckily its the biggest male and biggest female breeding. That was easy selective breeding. I'll take a picture of them together and upload. Maybe a video of him chasing off the other fish from HIS corner and courting her around in the spot he cleaned up for them.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Well this is bad timing for them to breed....anybody want tilapia fingerlings? Lol
Luckily its the biggest male and biggest female breeding. That was easy selective breeding. I'll take a picture of them together and upload. Maybe a video of him chasing off the other fish from HIS corner and courting her around in the spot he cleaned up for them.
If you're near Colorado I'd be happy to take advantage of the bounty!
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
If you're near Colorado I'd be happy to take advantage of the bounty!
I do have in-laws around there. There is a pet store right nearby that can ship live fish. They fill the bag with pure oxygen then pack it in a box filled with foam peanuts. Then they do 1 day shipping. If i have extras and you get ready for them i can ship you some. It'll be awhile though, they cant be shipped until an inch in size and they wont hatch for up to a week. So about a month from now.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
I do have in-laws around there. There is a pet store right nearby that can ship live fish. They fill the bag with pure oxygen then pack it in a box filled with foam peanuts. Then they do 1 day shipping. If i have extras and you get ready for them i can ship you some. It'll be awhile though, they cant be shipped until an inch in size and they wont hatch for up to a week. So about a month from now.
Ok don't count on me to be ready by then lol

I still have to figure out how to get a container etc etc
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
Ok don't count on me to be ready by then lol

I still have to figure out how to get a container etc etc
At first i thought it was hard to find ibc totes, but Craigslist and a couple local farms and many businesses will have them. Hardest part is getting that tote in your house unless you have a nice area in a garage to use. I precut mine outside and then separated it, flipped it on its side and took it in. Luckily it isnt very heavy.
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
Can you show a pic of the output end of the fill tube? I'm wondering if it catches much debris. Do you have a filter that removes solids?
No filter, just open tube straight up to grow bed.
1493558013548342504870.jpg
The solids that go into the grow bed get dissolved by the nitrification bacteria in it. You've probably heard of the swirl filters ppl use for the floating raft systems because they need a bacterial media to put water through. In that situation you have no choice but to use a swirl filter so you can get the ammonia converted to nitrate.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
No filter, just open tube straight up to grow bed.
View attachment 3933607
The solids that go into the grow bed get dissolved by the nitrification bacteria in it. You've probably heard of the swirl filters ppl use for the floating raft systems because they need a bacterial media to put water through. In that situation you have no choice but to use a swirl filter so you can get the ammonia converted to nitrate.
I have not heard of such devices, this is all pretty new to me.

What I'm liking is the simplicity of the setup.
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
I have not heard of such devices, this is all pretty new to me.

What I'm liking is the simplicity of the setup.
Thats the goal. Ive been waiting for the rain to stop pretty much the whole weekend to get a cutting from the tomato plants outside. I want to use the same plant. But if it keeps raining i'll just use the banana pepper plant.
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
Alright i dont feel like waiting any longer so time to use the banana pepper plant.IMG_20170430_184024.jpgOk now to pick a random spot.
IMG_20170430_183958.jpg
Cut it offIMG_20170430_184251.jpgAnd stick it in the grow bed.
IMG_20170430_184321.jpg
If you are wondering i did start with river rocks as the first couple inches of depth and the rest is clay rocks. After planting and pulling plants out some river rocks made it to the top. I tested the water and i have the nitrates down substantially to 1200-1600ppm and water temp is 74.7°f currently as we have let the house temp drop below 66°f for a day or 2. Now every afternoon i will check it for roots and take a picture.
 

Ken Beck

Well-Known Member
If cloning is this easy with the grow bed, i think i can easily recommend this. Again i didnt follow any recommendations for cloning and cut a piece off and stuck it in the grow bed. I think anyone can follow this process lol.
 
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