Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hey all im going in to bloom with my plants and i want to use molasses (black strap) to feed the plants will this do harm to my fish

I don't quite understand. Exactly how do you intend to use the black strap molasses?

Please keep in mind, aquaponics is not like hydroponics where you need to use different chemical formulas in order to have plants bloom.

Sometimes we recommend people supplement some potassium in aquaponics, especially in a new system and this sometimes helps if plants were having difficulty getting their boom on. Most people supplement potassium by adding some seasol or maxicrop liquid seaweed extract and those have proven safe for fish (make sure it is just seaweed extract as the stuff with fish emulsion tends to overload the bio-filter and that can cause fish deaths.)

I expect if you are going to mix up a foliar spray for the plants with the molasses, it would be safe enough for the fish. I don't think I would recommend pouring it in the fish tank though.

Why molassas. My mum used that when she was breast feeding.
Just be patient. If you have enough fish your plants will grow.

im thinking of puting a spoon of it under the flow pipe on the way into the bed of the plants i want to use it cause its got everything plants need to bloom including potassium, its 100% organic and give the plants a sweet flavour.so potassium wout harm fish?

I wouldn't think it would do any harm in small quantaties like you are suggesting.
Give it a go. It might be one of those moments of genius.

I just have a banana peel burried in each grow bed.

if ye dont think it will kill them ya ill go for it.ill keep ye updated

should be OK Mike.
Try one spoonful, and wait a week.
Watch your fish intently.
then increase the dose as you see fit.

A lot of us use banana skins, seasol, and other food additives such as cream of tartar.
Potassium wont hurt the fish, unless the concentration gets too high. If you're careful, the fish will let you know. (without turning belly up - permanently)

What fish do you have BTW? I wouldn't advise using trout as a test fish.

im only trying out a small system first,you no testing the water b4 i jump in there goldfish heard there good and dirty.what way will the fish be acting if they dont agree with the dose

some old iron nails and a couple of bananas, whole with the peel and everything should be in the GB to supplement minerals, specifically iron and potassium

CaCO3 should be added as egg shells or shell grit in a bagful as this will help buffer the pH and won't force it to go too high as CaCO3 doesn't dissolve above pH 7.4.

These are especially important for starter systems.

Can someone please point out where I'm wrong?

I never use anything except fish shit