3 Ways to Start Plants in an Aquaponic System

[@RobsAquaponics]

Want to learn more about Aquaponics? 🐟 🍓🥬🍅 Now you can with Rob's "Backyard Aquaponics for Beginners" Guide for only $9.95. You can see the guide in action on my website, ► www.bitsouttheback.com/aquaponics-guide Or, buy directly here, ► robbobaquaponics.retrieve.com/g/XL0J6T2P#/content/90525 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button if you want to be notified when new videos are posted to our channel. Cheers all & happy growing. 🐟 🍓 🌱

[@ritabarata789]

Hello! Thanks for all your amazing videos! How can I send you an email? (Wanted to show you my ap system)

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@ritabarata789 It's probably best you take a video & post the link in a comment Rita. I still have about 30+ emails I need to go through going back to February & with what I have going on it may be quite a while before I get to your email sorry.

[@cobrasam7774]

Just started getting into aquaponics a few months ago and am ready to pull the trigger and start a small system in my basement. Just want to say thank you for all these super informative videos, they really motivate me to grow and raise my own food and build a sustainable life for my family. Thanks a ton.

[@gatekeeper88]

I'm putting this out there for the fan's of Rob - who's selflessly given us a world of information and knowledge... so.. Who's been here long enough to celebrate Rob's beard?.. I've given at least 3-5 drinks to it over the years at X-mas I think lol. It's always something I personally notice in any vid.

[@RobsAquaponics]

🤣🤣 Cheers Gatekeeper. 🍻🍻

[@alanloflin883]

Hey from the USA. Your videos are great. We are just getting started and live watching you teach. Can definitely tell you live what you do. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad you're enjoying then mate. Chers Alan. 👍👍

[@uprightfossil6673]

I am finally going back into aquaponics. After ten years I find someone who knows and presents the info quickly with no fluff. Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers mate. Hope the build goes smoothly when the time comes. 👍

[@uprightfossil6673]

@@RobsAquaponics our winter water temps drop to the 40s Fahrenheit so that’s about 2c…I have small pond fish and tadpoles as well as a frog. The whole greenhouse will be an ecosystem. I also use it as a brooder for chickens. Your ideas are the best for me. Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@uprightfossil6673 Sounds like a great little setup you have planned.

[@uprightfossil6673]

@@RobsAquaponics a local friend lost his tilapia when the power went out and he didn’t have propane backup. I sold him on catfish and blue gill. They grow slowly with the system and can be sent back to the wild without a nuisance.✌🏿

[@mrballoonpimp]

How can you not like a video with such a nice guy

[@RobsAquaponics]

I normally get 1-3 within the first hour or so of posting which leads me to believe it's just some haters that have subscribed just to thumb them down. Is rather childish yet still funny I think. 😉 Cheers & have a top one.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Don't forget to click the subscribe button if you found the clip helpful & want to see how the beans & carrots turn out, bit.ly/Subscribe2Rob and share the clip around with family & friends if you think they'll enjoy it too. 🐟 🌱🍅 Cheers all & have a top one. 😊 Rob

[@gaykiwi9740]

First - "At the stupi... supermarket" xD New to the channel, and have loved the videos and content you bring out. Thanks for the work you do to promote a gardening life-style.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks & hope the clips give you a helpful idea or two PF. 👍 Happy growing.

[@gaykiwi9740]

Actually, I have never gardened before - unless you count the time I planted a slice of pizza (literally) because I heard my mother saying she was going to plant a 'money tree' as a little kid. Ive just purchased plant tags, soil tester, seed pots and did my first ever seed collection from a butternut pumpkin/squash. Not sure I will actually use these, but I thought, I might as well try and get used to collecting seeds as I know going into this I want to do things from seed rather than buying $10-$20 dollar plants from some place. That blew out my savings even before I started ^.^ Have a gift I will be using for more gardening things, I will then be looking into a greenhouse, at least two raised beds (medical problems) and then the dreaded soil... The ongoing cost of keeping that soil where it needs to be is going to be my biggest fear, as I am a very low wage earner and currently cannot afford to buy weekly meals let alone continue costs of a garden. But we will see how it goes. So far spent $800+ NZD and know very quickly that will become $1.5 if not more. But I want to make sure I do it right, and do it well so I can keep doing it. But yes, I have so many ideas its almost paralysing where to start, but Ive started, and will be looking to see if I can use the Polystyrene Fish Transport containers as a free source of containers for herbs. So yes, many ideas, not enough money to make it happen, but gotta start or I will just keep it as a 'pipe dream'.

[@rayzincrothravenwood1510]

@@gaykiwi9740 I have started gathering materials for setting up a greenhouse aquaponics as well. I have been lucky that I found IBC's for free as well as some of the plumbing and a friend of a friendworks at a glass companyand cane get me a few imperfect glass panes too. Never forget that there are some things people get rid of free or at least cheap! Happy gardening!

[@Bigelowbrook]

Good tips! I still start my lettuce in the gravel trays and transplant them into growgrips. The root crops like lettuce I usually just broadcast them into the bed and thin as necessary. For my tomatoes, I usually start them in late winter in soil pots and let them grow for a while until they can be put outdoors. Then rinse the soil off and move them into the DWC or media beds. 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

Tomatoes in DWC 😮😮😉 Do you think you'll be growing much through the coming Winter Rob?

[@Bigelowbrook]

@@RobsAquaponics Usually the only thing I grow in the winter is icicles. I heat the dome greenhouse a bit and have a few herbs, carrots, and beets that will grow. They really don't do much until the spring when we get a little more sun.

[@edwardsteele4564]

You've been a huge help over the last couple of months as I start up my system. Thanks a heap for all you do.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad to have been able to help Edward. Cheers mate & happy growing. 🐟🌱🥦🍅

[@madaxe79]

Mate that mini wicking seeder idea is what I’ve been looking for, thanks...

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad I could help. 👍

[@vickyveeramah1562]

Thank you for the information.. You're the best brother.. God bless

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad I could help some Vicky.👍 Cheers & all the best.

[@jimba6486]

This was a wealth of information, thank you Rob

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you enjoyed it Daniel. Happy growing.

[@jongroom2954]

Great vid Rob. Thanks for all the info. Have a top week.

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem Jon. Cheers & have a top one yourself mate. 🍻🍻

[@RS-mj9cx]

I was worried about my seedlings having dirt on them. You really helped me with the planting method.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad I could help R&S. 👍

[@aryluiz]

good day from nz, those plants are looking good

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Ary. 👍 Have a top one.

[@sandymcgill7024]

I’m just starting out… Great information, thank you

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful Sandy. I have a few beginners style videos in this playlist if it helps any, kzbin.info/aero/PLBcWprMIwYYj8zCdbSzPJOR3HRXpxuBwf & I'm also editing one for this weekend as well. 😉 Cheers & happy growing. 😁🌱🐟🍅

[@Elizabeth-ee7nm]

Amazing... Great ideas for planting and the different varieties of plants we can grow. Best of all, it's all organic, no pesticides have to be used. Thank you so much!

[@RobsAquaponics]

You're more than welcome Elizabeth. 👍 Cheers & happy growing. 🐟🌱🍅

[@Berkeloid0]

I wish I could grow the Kang Kong as well as you! Mine is in one of your root pouches but it gets smashed by the spider mites so I'm lucky if I get a couple of leaves a week to eat!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have you tried the wettable sulphur sprays on them Berkeloid? I found it helped small outbreaks. Folks OS look to have success with neem oil applications in treating the mites, but apparently it's still not allowed on food plants here.......... 🤔

[@Berkeloid0]

@@RobsAquaponics I've had the Neem oil recommended to me and used it (for the record, don't eat the unwashed produce within 48 hours of spraying or you get a cracking headache) however it seems like you have to spray the whole plant every couple of days, and once an infestation takes hold it's too late. I missed too many sprays and eventually the mites took over. I haven't looked at wettable sulphur, will check it out, thanks!

[@montys420-]

Isoprople alcohol and water is good trick for mites and other things

[@angerainbow9200]

Try a garlic/ chilli spray. I hope by the time you read this you have got success.

[@shanecarroll9929]

When seperating seedlings I've found doing it in the tub of water causes less friction between the roots. Great tips as always Rob, Happy growing

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Shane & happy growing mate.

[@XavierArte]

Thanks Rob. Excellent as usual

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem Xavier. 👍 Hope all's going well for you & yours mate.

[@sunnysharpe8765]

Thanks Rob. Some very helpful tips.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope they come in handy Sunny. 👍

[@JeromeTaoi1989]

Good day Rob 👍🏾

[@RobsAquaponics]

How's it going Jerome. 👍😁

[@timsbitsca]

Perfect timing for this video, I am at the planting stage now. Thanks Bob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad I could help some Noel. 👍😁 Hope the planting went well too mate. Cheers & happy growing.

[@timsbitsca]

@@RobsAquaponics Got arugula up from seed direct sowing.

[@trytobetheballpeople]

G-day Rob!

[@RobsAquaponics]

😁Howdy. 👍

[@fsjimenez1]

Hey thanks for your time, I appreciate your knowledge.

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem Feranado. happy growing.

[@davinmullan]

Thank you rob for all your years of fantastic aquaponics videos. You encouraged me to build my own system around 6 years ago now and it is still going well providing loads of veg every year. Enjoy your "me" time and looking forward to your garden improvements. Peace and love from Northern Ireland

[@RobsAquaponics]

That's great Dav. What fish are you running over there? Cheers mate.

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Amazing info and content as always mate.

[@firegrillin365]

Thank you for sharing this. You have given me ideas. 🔥🔥🔥

[@lafayettelopes3606]

I'm about to start a massive aquaponics system in the Caribbean, hope I can call on you for some guidelines.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I don't mind answering comments on the videos but it can take some time to get to them. 👍 I know the University of the Virgin Islands has a load of information on Aquaponics that may be a lot more relevant for your growing climate & conditions. www.uvi.edu/research/agricultural-experiment-station/aquaculture-home/aquaponic-systems/default.aspx I hope that helps some mate & I hope the build goes smoothly.

[@basiedp]

Very nice vid 👍👍just my bit...I make use of used teabags inside netcups for my seadlings making small slit one side. Once at size just tear bag to transplant. 😊

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice tip Basie. 👍 Thanks.

[@zeropoint546]

Best content ever.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Zero Point. 😁👍 Cheers & have a top one.

[@mgry1169]

good stuff. aquaponics is fascinating.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Would have to agree with you there MG. Cheers & have a top one.

[@ironrose888]

Thank you for the video! I’m setting up a new aquaponinic tank and I’m going to start my peas before they go outside to the garden. I lost your channel for a while but I found it again 😎

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad you found it again Ann. Hope the peas do well for you folks. Happy Growing

[@preppingforlife264]

Great video always tons of information on this channel I hope to start doing more of this myself thanks for all the videos

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope they help you out with a few useful ideas mate. Cheers & happy growing.

[@LGNT]

Thanks for sharing

[@RobsAquaponics]

My pleasure & hope you found it helpful. Cheers.

[@ermitanyo8966]

Thanks! I’ve learned a lot from this vid.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful Ronald. 👍 Happy growing mate.

[@ethomasp]

Been wanting a video like this! Yay!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it helps you out some Evan. 👍👍 Happy growing mate.

[@darcyparnell2665]

Gday love your videos Planning on making a pond with a constant flow grow bed soon

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope the build goes smoothly Darcy. 👍

[@davidnelson827]

just completed my barrel and running great. Im a newbie and loving it. Thanks Mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one David. Happy growing mate. 🐟🐟🌱

[@janvanderwesthuizen8661]

Rob awesome video mate this is helping a lot as I've been struggling to get going.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Great to hear it's helped some mate. Is the system new?

[@janvanderwesthuizen8661]

@@RobsAquaponics yes, it's been about 11 months but it is a complete I door greenhouse system trying to control the climate to grow same vegetables all year round, I am now trying to plant in small pots with clay balls so will see, I have freely spread some beetroot and radish which sprung up quickly. I also added some iron to the water now and hopefully that would help too all with your great videos thank mate. O, just planted out tomato seedling with some banana for potassium around the roots so will see what they do. I also changed the fish food to a better hand made good quality food which should help with the minerals in the water too.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@janvanderwesthuizen8661 Have you added a few compost worms to help with the processing the nana skin?

[@janvanderwesthuizen8661]

No yet but that will be my next step thanks Rob

[@chriscarley9951]

Sweet info, please keep it coming

[@BadMoonRising777]

Rob, Thank you so much for all the videos, extremely helpful! May God bless your family with health happiness and a very successful garden. 👨🏼‍🌾🧑‍🌾

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thank you for the kind words. 😁 All the best to you & yours as well. Happy growing. 🌱🌱🥦🍅🐟

[@lafayettelopes3606]

Great work Rob I admire your work and learn a lot from your videos.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Lafayette. 😁👍

[@jasontemel896]

Very clever ideas

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you like them Jason. Cheers & happy growing.

[@sthoward48]

Good Day.........!!!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Steve. 👍

[@candicepixley3814]

New to aquaponics so thanks. Very informative

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it helped some Candice. 👍

[@visallourn8437]

This man is fantastic

[@shellieh685]

G'day!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Howdy. 👍

[@radwangalgai]

Fantastic,, I wish to know more about the kind of water plus it's added supplement please! 🍀🌸🍀🌸

[@RobsAquaponics]

This clip might help you out some mate, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGbQi5iqqbOAqLs

[@radwangalgai]

@@RobsAquaponics Thank you.

[@lindadavidson720]

enjoying your clips, looking into a DIYS Aquaponics system, that will help my gardening, I currently have 6 4x8 raised beds, a livestock water tank (no livestock), lots of trees, 2 small ponds, fruit trees(apple, pear, peach, fig) and thornless blackberries that I am working with, on 3 Acres in Arkansas, USA

[@mikaelelseth9722]

Good day brother!!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there Mikael. 👍

[@dksfollies4772]

Thanks brother . It is most helpful and informative and educational demonstration. Helped me a lot . I will sure to follow and replicate your tips for my small indoor systems . Please do a video on inexpensive lights and led bulbs that can be used for indoor aquaponics system. Thanks again

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful DKF. I haven't grown with lights for almost 20 years so don't have a lot of experience with the current LED systems. We are looking at setting up a small supplemental lighting system for seed starts down the road but need to build in under the house before we can do that. Cheers & happy growing.

[@dksfollies4772]

@@RobsAquaponics that is great . I am using simple 12 watt led light bulbs fixed in the ceiling . But was looking for some thing inexpensive and easy to use . So that i can enhance my growth rate without too much burden on electricity charges

[@forrestgreen5831]

Thanks Rob. Didn't take your advice to heart and lost most of my sweet basil to an early frost up in the Texas panhandle. Now I'm faced with moving my media beds and sump to a place with some winter sunshine. Might have to put all of my media beds in a heated green house with grow lights considering the extended freezes we see here. My blue channel cats certainly were sluggish and wouldnt feed during the cold snap.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sounds like a few good days work ahead of you mate. How many beds do you have on the grow?

[@forrestgreen5831]

Figures I could start with one, since the fish were just fingerlings. Problem is I had to use gravel since they wanted $300US to fill one bed. A little over half a ton in weight. I plan on adding two more beds, and a make up water reservoir, so I need 2 more IBCs. I might as well empty out my garage and put them in there! Much easier to heat and grow lights are very reasonable. Also, easy to put in an evaporative cooler for Summertime.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@forrestgreen5831 Sounds like a plan Mate. 👍 Would like to have a crack at growing under lights again here but am a bit pushed for space at the moment.

[@juangu2007]

Great video! I am always taking your ideas man !!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope a few of them come in handy mate. 👍 Cheers & have a top one.

[@theSam91]

Great vid Rob! Very informative as always. I'm keen to see how your beetroot seedlings grow out, mine were struggling for a long time and looked very sick with red blotchy leaves. I figured out it was either iron or manganese deficiency so I upped the iron to 2 ppm which helped a bit. Then I sprayed the leaves 3 times over 1 week period with 5g/L manganese sulfate, the beets really took off after that with healthy green leaves.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one Sam. I've been a bit more vigilant in adding iron & magnesium & many of the pale leaves have started to green up nicely over the past few weeks. Cheers & have a top one. 👍

[@sunilscorpy4594]

Love your videos. 👍❤😀

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you like them Sunil. 😁😁 Cheers & happy growing. 🌱🌱🐟

[@sunilscorpy4594]

@@RobsAquaponics cheers! 👍❤😀

[@joecanales9631]

Thanks Rob, as usual informative and I did learn something new!: the onions (they looked like leeks) I will now harvest mine with the idea of propagation! I’m getting my fish this week! Found a hauler who is coming by with a load of bluegill fish! I do have a few minnows in the sump as my aquatic canaries, and they seem happy enough. This first year of plant growth has been mostly testing how plants behave. Making plans for next season on how to optimize their location in the greenhouse. Cheers! 🍻

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one Joe. 👍 How big are the fish they're shipping, fingerlings or large enough to go straight into a pond? We're just starting to nut out where our larger system will be set up here & how we're going to be covering it. Cheers mate & all the best.

[@joecanales9631]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm getting them about 7cm. big. Got some ammonia sulfate which I’ve been using waiting to get the fish. I may add about 1/3 of what I’ve been using to supplement the fishy’s production of ammonia while they get bigger. Got some fish food too, so all set to go.

[@Javinkay]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for watching Mate. Chewers & have a top one. 👍

[@angerainbow9200]

Really appreciate your videos, much appreciated and Iearn so much

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad I could help with some ideas Ange. have a top one.

[@mohamedhafizahmed6891]

Good day

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi There.

[@thoth3g]

Awesome channel Rob! I hope to put together a system next year. I will be doing a greenhouse version in the Hot south Texas climate. (lots of shade cloth)

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice on e mate. I think I need to sort some shade out for this one as well as the lettuce are struggling a bit in the midday sun at the moment & it's only going to get hotter. Happy growing.

[@merrytamashiro1133]

Thank you for sharing.

[@TheTeachingServant]

Thank you for this!

[@RobsAquaponics]

My pleasure TTS. 😁 Happy growing.

[@omar130754]

Great info , good day.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@macsmith2092]

Great video. Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you liked it Mac. Cheers & have a great one.

[@rayzincrothravenwood1510]

I have gleaned the most information from your videos and am now designing a greenhouse aquaponics for our back yard. I made a test run NFT feeding from my 37gal tank in my room using a 3ft long 2in pvc. It's hanging in my window and doing great! Thank you for taking the time and posting your results!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one RR. Am glad the clips have helped some. Happy growing mate.

[@AngkolJ]

Nice one mate 👍😊

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Angkol. 👍 Have a top one.

[@janvanderwesthuizen8661]

Rib I'm stealing this phrase from you, from now on its a stupid market not supermarket as I really don't like them for various reasons, awesome thanks Rob 😂😂

[@RobsAquaponics]

To be honest, I picked it up from a frugal living forum I used to post on. 😉👍 Cheers mate.

[@kennymager2433]

G'day m8. I enjoy your vids.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Kenny. 😁👍

[@elihuthompson626]

Thanks for your tips

[@RobsAquaponics]

You're welcome 😊

[@Shane_O.5158]

Hi Rob, i have done cuttings of: fig, apple, sugarcane, monstera deliciosa, asthma plant, sweet potato, wasabi, red veined sorrel, watercress, god knows lots more, and brahmi, now brahmi dies in the ground here in winter frosts, but the aquaponics water keeps it warm enough, it suffers but doesn't die. plants that go nuts: tomato, sugarcane, water cress, mint, taro, beetroot, silverbeet any riverside / bog plant.

[@RobsAquaponics]

That's a great selection Shane. 👍 I wasn't game enough to put the sugar cane in ours after seeing it take over the bed of another chap. 😅 Hope all's well with you folks down south mate. 👍

[@sarahnewton2182]

great content !!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Sarah. Cheers & have a top one. 👍

[@jeffLopezLubitz]

im going to try my first aquaponics system here in central Florida. wish me luck

[@RobsAquaponics]

All the best Jeff & hope the build goes smoothly.

[@josephramirez7786]

good day to you. thank you for making videos. they are so informative. i learn so much. from your videos. good job sir!! :) and also. im pretty focused on listening. ut then u said. stupid market. (that one hits.) hahah Lol.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad you enjoyed it Joseph. 😁👍 Cheers & all the best mate.

[@MarkThomas123]

One of your videos just popped up while I was cooking and listening to KZbin... The IBC Build.. Very interesting. I have never considered doing the Aquaponics.. Had a friend who tried the IBC with Talapia and the cold killed the fish.. I have not looked for cold water issues and how to avoid them, but, I brew my wine with Barrel heaters at 90 degrees F indoors, so, I could design something to play with during the off season.. Nice Videos. Great Explanations. I've been Binge watching.. Ha..Ha.. Learned more in a couple of hours, now, want to build something to see how it works.. I'll have to wait a bit, but, wanting a greenhouse pretty bad, so, will dedicate some space for a 55 gallon barrel kit (that was cute), and, grow some goldfish, maybe do some planting at the same time in soil beds in the greenhouse, do some comparisons and move up from there. I'm sure someone will want it when I upgrade.. :) Cheers Mate from Western NC on the banks of the Nantahala White Water River.. !!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one Mark. 👍Hope the system works well for you mate.

[@alfredofoutch450]

Where do you get the paint pelt

[@RobsAquaponics]

The peat pellets we get from the local garden & hardware centres. Fairly easy to find on line as well. I prefer to just start off the seeds in soil myself as I find they do a bit better + you can pop them in temperature controlled environment to help them germinate. Hope that helps some mate. BTW, it was your requests on other clips that got me to finally make this clip so thanks. 😁👍 Cheers Alfredo.

[@mikeemery3937]

Hi Rob, 2:56?? how do you get toffee apples to grow in that bed?? 👍🏻😂 Great video, I was running some permanent flow beds that were linked, my direct sow parsley distributed itself around all 3 beds!! 🤣🙈

[@RobsAquaponics]

😂 I have had the same happen with a massive lettuce flower head in the old system Mike. They're a couple of ceramic mushrooms B bought to perdy the system up a bit. 😁 🍻 cheers Mike & have a top one mate.

[@mikeemery3937]

@@RobsAquaponics it works well, very nice 👍🏻. Little one decided our beds were in need of some fairies apparently!! here's hoping they can swim right?! cracking videos dude, and the interaction is brilliant. thank you

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@mikeemery3937 😂 Got to love the way kids see things. I had random leggo folks I'd find in the beds of the old patch ;)

[@johnnyjones5385]

good-day

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there Johnny. 👍 hope all's well with you mate.

[@rentonschmidts1926]

Your garden looks amazing, I was wondering how do you keep possums out of it. Do you have any tips? Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Haven't had any issues with them other than on the Mango trees Renton. I think having a dog in the yard might help some as I have mates that are left alone yet their neighbours lose plants to them all the time. Only difference is that have a dog. Not sure if it's just a coincidence though. Most of the DIY possum deterrent sprays only work for a little while & am not sure what the commercial ones are like sorry. I've asked a bloke I know that has electronic deterrents & will post back here if he responds to my email. 👍

[@nigelkuipers8526]

Renton Schmidts I had big issues with possums a couple of months back. I found the best deterrent was covering the aquaponics with shade cloth as the sun went down and uncovering it again in the morning. Did the job for me and allowed my younger seedlings to get established. Just a suggestion as it worked for me 👍

[@matthewfarrell317]

Annnnnnd here I was thinking how to put more plants into the flood and drain and you bring this out perfect timing. We had to fill our flood and drain mostly with strawberry plants. Mainly because I expected bare-rooted plants to put into net cups and they came fully planted and developed and couldn't make them fit. But I have a corner left I want to fill. Just debating what seeds to put in, while my girls would love more carrots (we already have a rainbow bed of them in soil), or maybe even beetroot (tho I have an experiment in the NFT with beetroot). I am not sure. Lettuce and spinach etc and pointless due to them filling my vertical towers lol. Choices choices

[@RobsAquaponics]

🤔 How about some beans or Asian greens like the bok choy Matthew? I have the seedlings I showed in the clip left to plant out + a few punnets I started on the deck last week. Not quite sure I'm going to be able to fit them all in at this point..... Cheers mate.

[@matthewfarrell317]

@@RobsAquaponics not a big fan of beans, and we have a ton of snow peas, sugarsnap and greenfeast peas growing and just put more in around the new fruit trees we planted. Bok Choy, Asian greens and pak choy we have in the vertical towers. We have more than we need there. Thank you tho. Had thought of one of the spare watermelon seeds, but with the strawberries, in the bed, we would never get all the roots out. I am thinking beetroot, even tho we have a ton growing, the amount we eat is enormous, and now that I learnt that beetroot leaves are edible lol. Or capsicum, but not sure how high they would grow and shade out the strawberries,

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@matthewfarrell317 If you're into lacto fermenting (like sauerkraut) try making a batch up using some julienned beets. Taste fantastic & I have a few in the fridge I'm going to process that way if the girls don't use them first. 😉

[@matthewfarrell317]

@@RobsAquaponics I will look into it, beetroot in all it's forms do not last long around me lol

[@oficinaideiadejerico3630]

Fico só no visual,top!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Espero que o vídeo tenha ajudado um pouco. Tenha uma ótima semana. (Google Translate) I hope the video helped some. Have a great week. 👍

[@michaelcurtis640]

Hello Rob from the states! Do you have a video on how to winterize your aquaponics? Do I need to worry about the water temp?? We get to 36F or or 2C?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Michael. I don't have a clip on it as we can grow all through winter here. We drop down to below freezing a handful of mornings every year & the fish do OK as long as I have a heater in there. It only bumps the temp up a few degrees but it's enough to keep them comfortable. Specie's selection will also help. I would say if you're running tilapia you'll need to warm the water in some way to keep them healthy.

[@rayzincrothravenwood1510]

I'm in the PNW and have heard of people using trout or even salmon but you'll have to look into local laws for what's permitted. Some places specify a species as invasive. If you're not doing a greenhouse you could uild a simple cover using pvc and 7mil plastic covering. Depends on how severe your winter is.

[@yusufyassin9315]

thanks for your time Q/ is any seed grow in water? i mean remaining in water don’t kill the seed??

[@RobsAquaponics]

As long as they have enough oxygen most will do fine from what I've seen.

[@davidothus191]

Amazing stuff! Ty so much!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@daydreamingarts]

your beard is looking fab!

[@RobsAquaponics]

🧔 Tanks Kayla.

[@leannekenyoung]

Wow! I’m so glad I subscribed to your channel recently! This video is exactly the step by step sort of instructional video ive been looking for!! I do have a couple of questions, I live in a condo and don’t have room for a large system like yours but I would like to grow some of my own vegetables in water with liquid fertilizer. My idea is to grow them in 4 litre containers (just because I have several on hand at the moment) My plan was to start my seeds off (pickling cucumbers) in a soil & coconut substrate mix in small soil bags and then once they have germinated and got a nice root going move them to the “hydroponic” growing environment. Questions: 1. Should I remove the soil mixture from the roots prior to transferring them to the hydroponic environment? My thought was because the roots grow out beyond the soil bags it wouldn’t be necessary? (That happened accidentally when I wasn’t checking often enough on my seedlings and before I knew it the roots had grown right through the bags.(bags are homemade from woven ground cover material that gardeners put down on their backyard gardens to prevent weeds from growing) 2. The 4L water containers are see through and I know that I want to prevent algae growth I’m thinking of wrapping them with foil with the shiny side out to reflect the heat from penetrating? I live in Canada and have some incredibly hot south facing windows where I plan on housing these. I thought foil would be the easiest to prevent all light from penetrating but also it will allow me to remove it to see how things are growing beneath the surface. I had thought of initially using the woven ground cover(I purchased an entire roll from amazon and got much more then I thought i was getting...lol!)but it allows light to penetrate it so I’m not sure if that would really inhibit algae growth? What do you suggest? I might also be able to put together a cardboard box that I could put the 4L bottle into and just allow the neck of the bottle to be sticking out? Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 3. I know this is quite a small environment to grow a potentially large plant and that I will be adding water to it daily. My plan is to have an additional 4L jug filled with water and liquid fertilizer sitting beside the plant so that it will be the exact same temperature to add to the plant. Should I pour the water in from the top or should I lift the bag with the plant in it up partially and pour the water in that way? Or does it really matter? 4. Do you think this will actually work and that I will actually get cucumbers? If it does my plan is to have several of these containers growing various kinds of larger vegetables that are the vine variety do you know if the roots continue to remain in water and continue to get enough fresh nutrient water everyday if the plant would continue to thrive or would it require a larger container? Anyway I’m up to the challenge and love experimenting so far I have been growing various lettuces and herbs and I even have a strawberry plant that has flowered which I hope will produce strawberries soon! I’m growing all of these on my “O’garden smart” but the size of the brackets and just the area for larger vines to grow aren’t larger enough for my pickling cucumber idea so that’s why I thought of hydroponics. Hopefully I’ll be able to turn my idea into something edible! Thanks again for sharing your video and if you happen to see my questions and are able to answer them, thank you in advance. Keep those videos coming! I love seeing all those roots and the incredible plants they grow!! Leanne from the soon to be great white north (hehehe just a little Canadian humour)🥰🇨🇦

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Leanne. I have washed soil out for some & left it in for others & haven't noticed much of a difference to tell you the truth. I would try & block the light out if you can. 👍 The simple foil wrap around the container you mentioned will do the trick I think. I'm lazy & have just poured it in through the top with no issues. 😉 I really don't think it matters too much. I think you may have issues with the roots getting cramped in there. It might also pay to drop in a small air bubbler to help keep the water well aerated which will help prevent any rot setting in. Hope that helps a little & happy growing.

[@leannekenyoung]

@@RobsAquaponics I just knew I had finally found a guy with answers when I stumbled upon your channel!! Thank you soooo much for your answers! Actually I do have a small air rock in it that bubbles away and so far even after an incredible heavy pruning of all the large leaves at the bottom to halfway up the plant, it continues to put on yellow blossoms and directly behind them I have the small beginnings of what I hope will be cucumbers!! I don’t know if I mentioned before but we did hook up a yellow string trellis and it seems to love climbing it! It’s wrapping its tendrils around so tight into ringlets (when I unwrap just to reposition it to another location and it will grab right on. So far so good! I worried about it becoming root bound too but I also wonder if the roots will just grow to the size of the container and then slow down and push all that extra energy into growing the top of the plant? Time will tell I know each day it is taking in more and more water so it seems to like the drink it gets from the top every morning. I do have a couple more options if I begin to see roots coming up from the bottom and out the top I can switch it into a container double or even triple it’s size but it would involve a tremendous amount of work to undertake such a major change. So for now I’ll keep an eye on it. 1. On average do you know how long cucumbers will take to grow after the bloom closes up? I don’t know if I mentioned but I have since setup a green pepper plant and a Roma tomato plant in their own little 4L hydroponic containers with air rocks and foil around the outside my biggest concern will be any extremely cold nights that we might get because they are right beside the window and just putting my hand on it I can feel when the temp outside is much colder but below them is also my heater that blows warm air, I also have a humidifier that I can run if the air in our place seems particularly dry(I have extremely dry skin so when the air is dry I feel it probably before the plants would.) Well that’s all for now I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Thank you so much for your reply it’s wonderful thus internet thing when you can connect with like minded individuals and learn from their experiences! Please feel free to drop by my fb page I post updates there infrequently. Https://m.facebook.com/armchairgardener/

[@joebenson7385]

Good day mate

[@RobsAquaponics]

🖐 Howdy Jo. 👍👍

[@birendrachoubey6122]

Hello sir, do you have some experience in constructing bridge siphons? I mean to connect two tanks together in such a way that both maintain a equilibrium in water level.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not really sorry mate. I know the concept is fairly basic & can be achieved with a few sections of pipe with a priming valve. My mate Rob from Bigelow Brook Farm has a great clip on them, kzbin.info/www/bejne/anq5lGqlppdsi9k Hope that helps Birendra.

[@birendrachoubey6122]

@@RobsAquaponics thanks ll check

[@alfredofoutch450]

Can I put a garden canopy over the plants 6feet above the the plants and fish so no debris gets in it

[@RobsAquaponics]

We do that with ours here mate. 👍 Helps keep the tanks & beds cool through our hottest days as well.

[@mikeemery3937]

but don't block out all your light from the plants!! shade cloth works really well and catches any loose leaves that are blowing about. You can double up in areas for more shade over the fish. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@allaboutcats7267]

Good videos

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Dan. 👍

[@mondraymondo]

oh goodie, so we can start directly on the clay ball. cuz tbh Im too lazy to transplant seedlings (they break easy) haha

[@FreedomCycles]

great vid Rob, would love Ohio Fish Rescue to see this

[@RobsAquaponics]

Haven't seen their channel until now. Do they grow with aquaponics as well? Cheers FC.

[@UncleLloyd101]

Hello. How do I know if my grow bed is ready for planting.

[@gatekeeper88]

8:15 does the leftover soil - minor as it is, present a risk to the over-all system?. Some of the vids I've seen have stressed cleaning the roots as entirely as possible?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I haven't had any issues from it all mate. Most of the fish we grow come from muddy river systems so I know they don't mind. Only time I might be concerned is if there was a large amount of slow release fertiliser in the soil. I don't think that would be an issue with home grown seedlings & no commercial mob would add it as it would affect their profit margin I would think. Hope that helps some.

[@familywilliams4058]

I'm having issues with the lettuce in my system damping off. The broccoli is fine, but all the lettuce isn't. I'm thinking I may start it in a try and then transplant to see if that helps.

[@RobsAquaponics]

The good thing about lettuce is that it grows so fast FW. Hope they pick up for you. Cheers.

[@namastenurse]

We have had great success with transplanting. Have not tried the direct sew method.

[@flob4332]

Rob, I've had a system for 4 years. pH and other considerations are good. Fish are healthy. Water flows well to and from bed. System is in an enclosed greenhouse with temperature and air flow. Good grow lights. Lots of ladybugs. I can grow huge lush green plants but I get no fruit. I'm ready to quit. My husband said to ask my favorite teacher before quitting. Any thoughts, Teach?

[@shanecarroll9929]

maybe add some potassium bicarbonate to help fruiting plants

[@flob4332]

@@shanecarroll9929 thank you. I'll do that

[@RobsAquaponics]

I second the Potassium suggestion. The bicarb will also help to buffer the pH. If you're not needing the pH shift you could look at additives like Kelp/Seaweed powder as it generally has elevated levels of potassium Flo. Hope that helps some.

[@lawrencechiang8444]

Hi Rob, how far apart should you plant your plants? thank you

[@RobsAquaponics]

Many folks will stick to traditional recommendations given for soil spacing. I tend to plant them a bit closer as they really aren't competing for the nutrients like they do in the soil. One thing to be thoughtful of is that some disease & pest issues are exacerbated when the plants are crowded together. Aphids can be harder to find & mould will grow better in places that don't have good airflow. Hope that helps some.

[@lawrencechiang8444]

@@RobsAquaponics thanks this has helped and given me an idea of the potential downside, something i did not consider! thank you

[@dionisiotolentino6163]

sir my vegetable plant leaf is yellowist what is the soolution? i heard in other vlogger that that there’s a deluted solution can mix in fish water

[@RobsAquaponics]

It could be a few things mate. Do you have a nitrate test to see if there's sufficient amount in the system? The next element that might cause issues is Iron. If the nitrate is OK then I'd say you might need to top up with a bit of chelated iron. It's the best form to use as it's available to the plants. Don't add any bits of iron metal in as some folks suggest as it becomes iron oxide & isn't plant available. Hope that helps a bit mate.

[@dionisiotolentino6163]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm thanks for more info & still follows to learn more

[@123BRT]

Good tips Rob! You mentioned striking mulberrys, how successful are other fruiting plants e.g citrus? And is there an age or any types of plants that get too acclimatised to an Aqua system and wont survive being moved into soil?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey BRT. Mulberry is the only fruiting tree I've tried to date. Moving it to a soil filled container was fairly easy fit I haven't planted any directly into the ground as of yet. I left the majority of the clay around the root ball then filled in the pouch with a decent potting mix. The tree was placed in a shady spot for a few weeks & didn't appear to suffer any transplant shock at all. Not sure how well citrus would go as I've been told they go better grafted onto a decent root stock. Might still be fun to try though.... 🤔 Hope that helps some & have a top one.