Organic Hydro/Aquaponics Experiment

[BlackVenom]

So as I was lurking the organic hydro section of ic, i was reminded of the idea of aquaponics (correct me if thats the wrong term. I went to the local petstore picked up an air pump, dechlorinator, fish food, and about 30 minnows. I conditioned water in a 5 gallon bucket, added an airstone, then fish. i aloud the fish to settle in their new home. I then decided to add some liquid karma since it is an organic nutrient. I figured that none of the ingredients would harm the fish and would help start up ppm for the plants. I am allowing the bucket to "cycle" and build up beneficial bacteria, this will also give the bucket a chance to build up waste to degrade into nitrogen. So for now since I used liquid karma i would say im cheating but this experiment really is to see wheather the minnows can survive in nutrient rich water and to see if the can tolerate the ph that is required for the plant to intake nutrients. I will alow the fish to settle in for a few days after cycling before dropping the ph from 6.5 to around 5.6-5.8

im sorry about the quality of these pictures there was too much glare from the light.

 

[XIII]

Looks like a good start!

Two things I will note... I am absolutely no expert on raising fish but believe minnows do not like hard water. You might have to do a partial water change before the hardness gets too high for your minnows.

You might want to check the contents of your dechlorinator. I have heard anecdotes that it is not good for cannabis? Not certain... but the sodium thiosulfate many dechlorinators contain, in large enough doses, could lock up nutrients. Grain of salt - this may be an empty concern, though!

I think you could solve both of these by bubbling anoter 5 gal. bucket of water for 24 hours before doing a partial change and nixing the dechlorinator. A partial change is good because you keep the bacteria that cycle nitrogen instead of starting the cycle every water change.

Aside from these two possibilities, it looks like you're got it locked down! Have a good grow, friend.

-XIII

Edit: Forgot to mention but if my memory is correct minnows prefer a near-neutral pH but they are somewhat pH tolerant.

 

[ScrubNinja]

This looks cool - are they still alive? I know nothing about this aquaponics but how about if you used some sort of creature that naturally dwells in the nutrient rich silty water on the bottom.

 

[BlackVenom]

Thanks XIII, I was thinking about doing a 50% water change anyway to lower the concentration of the nutrient. Ive always seen these fish to be pretty hardy(for the most part) but im going to lower the ph gradually and hopefully the minnows will be able to adapt without being stressed out and die. So far I lost about 3 minnows but im sure they were just too weak to handle their new environment. Natural selection will keep the hardy tolerant minnows. Im removing the bodies to make sure there is not an overload of ammonia since the bucket is newly cycling.

Ninja, that would be a good idea, but im using minnows because they cost about 10 cents per fish and they can tolerate overpopulation which is the goal to produce enough nutrients for the plants.

 

[XIII]

Any updates, Black?

I like that you consider this an experiment... if you have the equipment, I hope you monitor pH, PPMs, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite... Take notes! It is helpful for you and I am excited to see your results!

Have fun

-XIII

Edit: If you're interested in aquaponics you can also check out the duckweed family of aquatic plants. They are amazingly efficient at removing waste ammonia in fishwater and converting it into a nutritious treat for your fish, reducing food costs and keeping nitrogen in the food chain!

 

[DragonX]

Its been My experience that patients is most important in aquaponics. The healthier the fish are the healthier your plants will be. The first time i tried I failed miserably when trying to keep the PH where hydro belongs. The fish die and there go your nutrients.

Ive noticed that my plants all did very well with PH from 6.8-7.2. I also noticed the older the system the better my plants grew. The PH also always stays around 7.

And Murray does have a lot of info. Good DVD.

minnows are good choice for aqua they are tough little fish fo sho

good luck
DragonX

 

[MrFista]

Yep - Murray is awesome at this stuff check him out.

The pH you are after is not ideal for aquaponics. Research at University of Virgin Islands by Dr James Rockysy (spelling?) has determined a few parameters for running problem free aquaponics.

pH 6.2. This is where nutrients will stay in solution as opposed to precipitating out and causing buildup of certain things and eventual problems associated with this. With the nutrients remaining in solution your plants have access.

Solids filter. Not so important for ebb and flow or continuous flow systems with big grow beds but will still help. With DWC removing the solids with a sponge type filter before the water is pumped to your plants will give much better results and far less issues like pythium and powdery mildew. The sponge should be rinsed in fishwater as it becomes a biological filter as well. Tip the dirty water on some garden it will appreciate it.

Start running that fish water through some plants as soon as you can.

Seasol (organic liquid kelp) is good in aquaponics. Some experience iron deficiencies - use chelated iron for this. Sea salt, in small doses, especially when changing water, remember the salts for the fishies osmosis. I've just started looking at sea solids, which osiris grows with, in aquaponic systems, I think it has much potential.