Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello BYAP,

I'm still in the process of finishing building my larger system, but in the meantime, I've assembled a mini grow bed to test things in. It started yesterday so it is still in its initial stage, I guess.

This is what it looks like:



It has a cabbage, a tomato and garlic in it.
I had to adjust the LECA level this morning, moved the garlic, and after 8 hours of being in there, the little bugger is already growing roots.


aaanyway... sorry for rambling, I've borrowed some Ferropol
(pic here: http://i.minus.com/i5c4vXo9RBigK.jpg)
from a cousin, which he uses for his aquarium plants and I'm certain it won't harm the future fish I'll bring into the system. I've added 15ml on the first day for initial nutrients.

I'm trying to find some seaweed extract but so far no luck. I've posted on a few social networks that I was looking for natural liquid fertilizers, specially seaweed extract. Someone just gave me a bottle of something called "Substral - Plant Food".

Is this stuff safe? Will it harm fishes?

The composition on the label reads:
Fertilizer NPK: 6-3-6
N: 6% (nitrogen)
P2O5: 3% (Phosphorus oxide?)
K2O: 6% (Potassium)
Fe: 0,03% (Tony Stark)
Oligoelements: Copper, Manganese(?), Molybdenum and Zinc.

This all translated from Portuguese, so pardon any incoherence.

Any ideas?
Cheers.

Look for Maxicrop... it's the equivalent of Seasol mentioned often on the forum... it's made in the UK.. so you should be able to order online if nobody stocks locally...



Thje fact that it has a relatively high N:P:K ratio indicates that it is a fertiliser.... which generally we wouldn't use in our AP systems...

The seaweed extracts we use, and advice.... has virtually no N:P:K... they're trace element supplements.... not fertilisers...

I'll check up on the "Substral"... to see if it's fish safe...


Your translation is working just fine...

OK... "Substral"..... one of the oldest type products on the market.... introduced in 1957...

Widely known as "Scotts Miracle Gro".... and part of the "Miracle Gro" range of products... they also make "Osmocote"..

From the MSDS... http://eurosensations.com/msds-mg.pdf

Indicates that it "may be harmful to fish and aquatic animals if used in large quantities"..... so I certainly wouldn't use it generally...

Don't panic if you have... but try and find some Maxicrop seaweed extract instead...

Thanks, Rupert!

I haven't used it. I was waiting on feedback here.

I'll try to look for the Maxicrop brand to see if it's available somewhere.

Cheers!

I've found a seaweed extract seller finally,
24% solution of this seaweed: Ascophyllum nodosum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascophyllum)
And it's made by Sybiol. I'm going to give it a try.

Cheers!