Mushroom filtration or Mycofiltration

crackenfish

I know a number of years ago someone on a different forum (I am not part of that forum) was trying out growing mushrooms as part of his filtration system or might have been his grow beds. Really interested if anyone else has attempted to do that or if they know of anyone who has and their results? I am interested in trying it out but would like to know a bit of design ideas and feasibility. The reason I am interested in this is I raise trout fingerlings commercially, have a small aquaponics wing to some of my systems and my incoming fresh water runs around 60 ppm in nitrates. Some of the latest research is indicating that high nitrates can affect fish health. So removing nitrates with plants and mycelium is definitely very interesting and the possibility of producing a secondary or tertiary crop is appealing.

dstjohn99

I am thinking about this too. As I switch from aquaponics to sandponics and I eliminate the filtration, I'm thinking mushrooms would do well in the layer of detritus and fish waste. They should also help break down the solids to nutrients.

But I'm unsure if mushrooms are effective in absorbing nitrates. I don't yet know much about their growth requirements. Only that they normally thrive in shit and dark.

crackenfish

It depends on the species. I believe wine caps do well on straw and wood chips but do need nitrogen to help the breakdown process. Both them and oyster mushrooms don't really need the manure but can I believe absorb even ammonia for nitrogen needs.

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