Ghana Ponics 17 progress

Again just a quick record of the way things are growing. What's been especially interesting is that after we cleaned out the stone some time back the tomato plant was replanted.  I had assumed it would be OK.  But not to be. It slowly withered away, but even after 4 weeks it still refuses to die. It has been hanging on and the top leaves are not dry and do not appear to be dead. I wonder if there was so much stress in the move that whilst it did not die it is not really going to recover either. I'm planning on leaving it a few more weeks and then see, either it will improve or we will have remove it. Decisions, decisions....

As for the seedlings, they are doing fine.  I took a couple of the young tomato plants over to the community school project and planted them in the system. I will go back and check on Friday how they are doing.

Ghana Ponics 16 Renewed... Progress

After the clean up last week I am still having difficulty getting the syphon to flush properly.  Need to have a good look at this this evening.

As for new seeds. Well we added some Chinese cabbage (Bak Choi) and some tomato seeds last Sunday.  Progress seems OK at this stage. The old tomato plant has not completely died but is very need giving up.  I do hope it can hang on but lets wait and see.  Fish are fine.  Do wish they would grow a bit more.....

Ghana Ponics 15 Tank Clean Up

The syphon seems to have given up the ghost. I've tried reducing the input water flow to the grown bed, increasing the flow to the flow bed.  Makes no difference. I can only assume I could try and make the air bubble areas at the top of the syphon a big smaller.  That's tomorrows job...

However what occurred to me is that the bed is so full of old weeds etc that is needed a full clear out.

Accordingly this morning we removed the few remaining plants and then took out the gravel.  Very dirty.  Lot of old organic waste. We washed the stone and replaced it. Replanted the tomato and pepper plants and added some seeds. Also added a few worms.  Not sure how effective they will be but certainly cannot do any harm.

Before...............

These are Morning Glory Roots

These are Morning Glory Roots.....

Moring Glory again being pulled out by a fat slob........

Very clogged up gravel

Clean Grow bed area

Looking good...

The Boss hiding and providing final touches.....

Adding a few worms...

Worms in their new home....

Ghana Ponics 14 Another boring update......

Just a quick update. I've been away for the last two weeks and came back with some trepidation.  Hoping I did not need to start all over again..... Well all good but very dirty.

I had to drain out the tank.  The syphon had stopped working. Nothing wrong with the syphon itself.  Reason being the pump had got clogged up with fish crap. Therefore no water flow. However surprisingly the fish remained alive.

So I cleaned it all out and then emptied the tank down to a few inches. Lot of fish poop. I kept the fish alive in the little water left and then refilled with tap water.  Checked this morning and the little guys are quite happy running round in circles... Even enjoyed the new food. I know same as they go yesterday......?

As you can see below I keep the pump on a paving block so the nozzle is about 3 inches above the bottom of the tank. A safety precaution incase for some unimaginable reason the tank dries out.  You can never be too careful. That horrible lump of green in the tank is a bit of lettuce..... Ugh!!!