Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am only new to this forum but have been interested in Aquaponics for a while. I am interested in building my own system one day but will have to be satisfied in the design process at present.

I have been thinking how i could design my system and would it be an advantage to allocate a grow bed or section to plant lupins. Lupins are a legume that have bacteria attached to their roots. These bacteria remove nitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere and turn it into ammonia nitrate making it available to plants. Also once the lupins have grown you could then feed the seeds to your fish.

Just a thought would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thanks peno

Hi Peno,
Welcome
there's been talk before about growing lupins, but I can't remember where the discussion went. I'm sure by the time I go look it up, someone else will have done it too

there's a few pages of discussion here

and more similar discussion here

enjoy the reading

Hi Peno,
Lupins sound cool, but I guess it depends on what direction you want to move your Nitrogen. In my system I have too much nitrogen, so no lupins for me! I'm here tinkering with anaerobic sand beds, trying to get my nitrate to off-gas.

Janet, if you have too much nitrogen, shouldn't you just add more growbeds?

yeah, why not just add more growbeds JP!?!

Xzorby and DD, Please do come over here and figure out where to put the extra growbeds. DD, you've been here and you know better, even--gonna haf to get April to smack you one for dat.

No more space in the sunroom. Need chainsaw.

we can put one in the mail

What about some dwc or nft pipes or trays...

Yes!!!!.....I expected better from u Dave.....stop stirring Janet

A couple options for summer -
1- run a pipe outside for NFT, etc. then the return back in. You could open a window an insh or two, then shove foam rubber into the open spaces around the pipes going out the window.
2- Run some of your water to the dirt garden, and add additional water - Could dilute your water to bring down the nitrates, and give a real boost to your dirt garden!

i like the outside NFT for summer idea.