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Plants to use excess Nitrates
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19095		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  mattyoga [ Oct 16th, '13, 09:37 ]
Post subject:  Plants to use excess Nitrates
I've got 3 systems running and all of them have high nitrates at present (between 40-80ppm). This is partly due to spending too much time building systems and not enough planting! Though even in the mature systems with beds chockablock with plants they are still high (maybe due to too many beans?).

I've ramped the feed rate right down at present, though am wondering what plants would be good to plant to suck up some excess? Would quick growing leafy greens be better than say tomatoes? Aside from managing the system, I would like to get nitrate levels down a bit to help the beetroot grow more down below (their tops are more like silverbeet at present!)

I don't think the systems are overstocked:
IBC with 800L filtration: 20 SP (40L filtration per fish)
1000L FT with 1200L mature filtration: 40 SP (30L filtration per fish - want to reduce stocking in here)
1500l FT with 1000L filtration: 18 SP (55L filtration per fish - will increase stocking here - just installed using pre-cycled media so will wait for system to settle)

No systems are showing significant reading of ammonia or nitrates (has been occasional 0.25ppm of ammonia). I'll be shifting fish about to balance things up once the 1500L system has settled. ph in the new system is 7.6, 7.4 in the IBC and 6.8 in the mature system.
Author:  Ronmaggi [ Oct 16th, '13, 10:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
I would say tomatoes would be your biggest helper. Along with other nitrate hogs. I think eggplants are thirsty for nitrates too.
Author:  Mr Damage [ Oct 16th, '13, 10:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
Rainbow Chard, Spinach, Silverbeet
Author:  mattyoga [ Oct 16th, '13, 11:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
Thanks guys - I think I might begin to look like a silverbeet if I eat much more! Found this:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07247.html

looks like sweetcorn could be good too.
Author:  earthbound [ Oct 16th, '13, 11:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
Right time of year to get sweet corn in too... :thumbright:
Author:  mattyoga [ Oct 16th, '13, 11:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
yeah -I was trying to find a non hybrid variety the other day but both B and M only had F1 or F2s
Author:  arbe [ Oct 16th, '13, 11:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
Perhaps you should sell your new swirl filter to me (which Sue tells me you are using as a fish tank) and add more beds.....:D
Author:  mattyoga [ Oct 16th, '13, 12:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Plants to use excess Nitrates
already plumbed with fish in it :) I was thinking to suggest that I could help you with your move by buying your swirl filter from you - one less thing to move :D
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