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Newbie question #1 growing medium
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=547		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  zkt [ Sep 18th, '06, 06:47 ]
Post subject:  Newbie question #1 growing medium
As I understand it, most any plant will grow fine with its roots continually submerged in water if the stem is somehow kept out of the water. If true, why use a growing medium ?

zkt
Author:  Daniel [ Sep 18th, '06, 06:57 ]
Post subject: 
Some people don't use a growing medium, and have the plants in sheets of styrofoam with the roots trailing in the water.

I think one of the main reasons to use growing medium is filtration. The solids are removed from the tank, and the growing mediums surface area is colinised by nitrifying bacteria.

Others may have different reasons....
Author:  David [ Sep 18th, '06, 07:06 ]
Post subject: 
another reason is plant support.
I grow strawberrys in foam, but try growing tomatoes.
Author:  aquamad [ Sep 18th, '06, 07:45 ]
Post subject: 
THe support and surface area for bacteria are both very important indeed - as is the physical filtration of solids...
Some systems have run for 2 years with solids from the tank being pumped in (in a flood and drain system) and there is almost no sign of the vast amounts of solids when the bed is checked after the 2 years - it breaks down, is eaten (earthworms seem to like living in the growbeds) and is absorbed by the plants.
For me its important to supply as much surface area for the nitrifying bacteria, as the system revolves around them removing/breaking down the amonia and making it avaliable to the plants as a food source.
Author:  GotFish? [ Sep 18th, '06, 08:16 ]
Post subject: 
Yep for the filtration and bio is why I'm going with gravel and the added bonus of getting to wash rock.
Author:  Donarto [ Sep 18th, '06, 08:26 ]
Post subject: 
Same, gravel is my choice aswel. and Yay washing rocks! :P
Author:  EllKayBee [ Sep 18th, '06, 10:27 ]
Post subject: 
Donarto wrote:
Same, gravel is my choice aswel. and Yay washing rocks! :P


with or without your sexy rubber gloves? :color:

gravel was my choice also
Author:  aquamad [ Sep 18th, '06, 11:39 ]
Post subject: 
LOL - even expanded clay balls need a very good wash (unless you like the red/pink look to your tank/pond :D
Author:  Mel_ B [ Sep 23rd, '06, 19:35 ]
Post subject: 
Might be a silly question, but I thought earthworms drowned in water? Do they actually survive in flood and drain gravel beds?

Wow, another possible home for my gorgeous invertebrate pets........

Melinda
Author:  monya [ Sep 23rd, '06, 20:11 ]
Post subject: 
It's all about the oxygen Mel. Plenty of oxygen in the flowing water and they won't drown :D
Author:  aquamad [ Sep 24th, '06, 05:19 ]
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Yep, I threw a handful into my barra system a while back and they were still alive 2 weeks later (unser some bits of old pots)... A high DO is a must in that case... I have earthworms in all my beds (continious flow) now and they are doing well.
Author:  zkt [ Sep 24th, '06, 05:29 ]
Post subject: 
I`d have never thought that earthworms conud live under water. The convertional wisdom has been that they come up out of the ground when it rains to avoid drowning. Seems like theyre would be plenty of DO in rain water. Soudns like a job for The Mythbusters. LOL
Author:  aquamad [ Sep 24th, '06, 05:40 ]
Post subject: 
At first there may be a fair amount of DO, but that is quickly used up and is not replenished - in AP there is an uninterupted flow of water, so DO remains high
Author:  Aquaddict [ Sep 24th, '06, 07:52 ]
Post subject: 
I have a bit of grass growing underwater in a system, seed got lodged in a bit of scoria I put in there I'd say.
Author:  aquamad [ Sep 24th, '06, 09:23 ]
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who nneds DO meters - that is enough of a good indicator I'd say!
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