Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My daughter is doing a science fair project on aquaponic and we both got addictive to aquaponic farming. We built a small system for her and big system for me. Since we are both new at aquaponic system we are still learning as we go. Is it recommended to add water plants into your aquaponic fish tank? I brough water lily from home depot that was in stagnant water sitting in the hot sun with guppy and water snail in the water. Without knowing any better I put it in my aquaponic fish tank. Have I just contaiminated my water with parasites and other unknown bacterias? I have finally finished cycling the water in 3 weeks (nitrate reading at 40 ppm) is it because I added the water lily that had the existing bacteria since it was housed with guppy and water snail when I brought it at home depot. I would hate to start all over again but the thoughts of possible contaiminated water is making me afraid to eat the vegetable that is sprouting now. Please advice

It should be fine as I dont think the water plant would have anything nasty with it. Just start off slowly and dont overstock with fish

I am new to this as well so I don't have a vast amount of experience to offer advise. I can say this though, aquaponic farmers are very cautious about what goes in their AP systems. Even to the point of being a little paranoid. This is a good thing! It is the best way to assure the purest form of food for our families.

I agree with mantis and don't think you have anything to worry about. I live in Florida and the county regularly performs aerial spaying for mosquitoes. Pretty much everything grown in the state of Florida gets exposed to the mosquito spray one way or another. There is only so much we can control.

I'm getting a little wordy, I apologize, but the point I'm trying to make is that ALL of our food is exposed to natural bacteria and for that matter parasites. The only time people suffer from such things is when bacteria or parasites are on raw food that doesn't get washed properly before consuming.

Just my 2 cents. I think you are good to go.