Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

J- I think I remember way back when, we were talking of light grow media
the topic of pumus began.
I like the idea of having a slow release mineral deposit.
I can imagine it would end up being like a Ph buffer.

so why arent more people using it.

i like using sea shells as my carbonate buffer, i haven't found composition analysis, but i would ASSUME that the many trace elements found in sea water would be incorporated into the shell by its creator.

Scoria is too expensive in Qld - because of freight costs to get it here.

Cos theres only a few
areas where its available cheep

Sea water analysis shows it has very high trace element composition.

And yep I'd be picking it becomes embedded within shell growth.

Bird owners, particularly "budgies" use cuttlefish shells, not only to provide the bird something to scratch and peck at, but as a source of calcium (obvious) and other trace elements that are lacking in produced seed foods.

Thats what i wanted to hear!

Pah, I got scoria for $100 a cubic meter from a landscape supplier here in Canberra. Seems a little expensive but 1 cubic meter is quite a bit.

good to know gemmell, i am guessing it takes quite a bit of washing to.

heres the mineral break down for those that are interested.

the both look fairly simlar dont they ?

That's an understatement. Lots of dust and mud.

how did adding the chelated iron go P70?

fizzyj, i added the chelated iron and it fixed the problem quick smart, i now add some every month.

seams like all systems have a problem with iron def. sooner or later i wonder if there is a easry way to add iron like a rusty nail or something of the sort