Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

This may be of interest to some: Kelp biochar: a potential plant substrate for freshwater aquaponics

It seems that kelp biochar works for floating raft systems but absorbs too much water for use as GB media.

In case you're wondering or have forgotten, biochar is "... a stable form of carbon produced by the pyrolysis at high temperatures (400-500°C) of forest – or agriculture-derived biomass residues in a low – or no-oxygen environment. Biochars are stable in wet environments, provide pH stability and their long-term carbon sequestration can potentially reduce the impacts of climate change."

IMO its all a selling technique. Take a ton of Kelp from the sea, wash all the salts from it, dry it so that you can char it - How much weight do you have left?

Then after charring the weight even gets way lower.

The link doesn't work for me.

If they are removing the kelp from its native habitat, that may kill that habitat. I hope they are doing this in a sustainable way.

haha kinda hard on the ocean to char it in place

It is very interesting idea. I personally am interested in the use of biochar but not close enough to even consider kelp.
Here is a link that should work:
http://hatcheryinternational.com/resear ... ater-aqua/


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I made biochar for filtration and purification purposes and I'm currently using a 5 gallon biochar filter to improve the clarity of my water. It helps a lot, though I think the best long term solution is to improve my solids filtration.

My water is always brown. I like other peoples systems where the water is sparkling clear. I want mine to be more like that, except when I add MaxCrop kelp powder.

Clear water is really nice. How often do you change the biochar?


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So far I have not. I have a 5 gallon bucket filter that I use for about 5 days at a time to clear the water. It helps a lot, but still I never get crystal clear.

Interesting. I was reading somewhere that supposedly the char can absorb ammonia but not nitrates. Supposedly it will absorb the ammonia until saturation and if the ammonia levels in the water drop, the bacteria turn what's in the char into nitrate. I just couldn't find anywhere that said if it is true or not. If it is true it would make for a good "shock absorber".


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