Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone! So far I've spent a good 10 hours reading through the board , and am in the process of noodling out my setup prior to building. I've made a list of plants to consider growing, but I'm at a loss for where (online or off) to go to find out the important bits about growing them as applicable to aquaponics such as the following: Can it tolarate/does it like salt? What PH does it like/can it tolerate? What minerals does it need, and when? What minerals are bad for it? What soil moisture conditions does it like? etc... Information on common ailments and pests for each plant would be a bonus but aren't necessary (yet) .

I've tried all of the usual suspects... forum search, wikipedia, gardenweb, google, bing ... and have found some of the numbers, but would love a single reference for it all, be it a website or a book. It would help me plan my grow beds and plant combos.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome "Think"....

Where to begin... well firstly... aquaponics is NOT a soil based system of food production... rather, it is more akin to hydroponics... in that it uses an inert media, such as expanded clay or blue metal gravel... as both the growing medium... and as the means of bio-filtration...

The nitrification processes... in conjunction with trace elements, within the fish feed wastes, supply (generally) ALL the necessary nutrients and trace elements required for plant growth...

Occasional deficiencies, usually in brand new systems, or in systems where pH is in the range of 7.8 - 8.2 (causing trace element lockout)... are easily adjusted...

Almost ANY plant can be grown within aquaponics...

With regard to salt... most plants will tolerate salinty to about 3ppt... with perhaps the exception of strawberries and newly planted cucumbers... most plants can take short term exposures up to 6ppt...

Generally, unless salting for disease... aquaponic systems rarely salt beyond 1ppt (for nitrites)... occasionally to 3ppt for treatment of parasites...


Read on, most things are covered here on the forum... and any specific question will be answered in short time...

Thanks for the lightning quick response, RupertofOZ.

Sounds like you're telling me I don't have to obsess over micro-managing everything and can pretty much jump in and tweak-as-I-go? That would definitely be more fun than all of this due overdiligence! Thanks.

Also, didn't meant to imply soil would be used. I figured that plants have the same nutrition/moisture/PH requirements regardless of growing media. I suppose a general gardening/hydroponics reference would fill in the gaps just fine for plant-specific techniques such as pruning, training, etc.

Thanks again!

Oh, and even though we don't use "soil" based media... don't under-estimate, or forget to include... the humble compost worm within your system...

Welcome!!



You can find answers to plant spcific problems by using the search button. I have found it most useful. Anything that you don't find feel free to ask.

What sort/size of system are you planning? Do put up some drawings/plans for the experts to comment/suggest.

Cheers.
KM