Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi QM
Our experience of growing strawberries has been in hydroponic systems and they seem to love it in there - in clay balls, perlite and NFT.
Strawberries are very susceptible to water deprivation and would need some shading from your tropical sun, even in our temperate climate we have had fried strawberries before now!
Ph around 6.5
As for nutrients - we get them established with a nitrogen emphasised nutrient, and once they have got good leaves and start to bud- we change to a nutrient that emphasises potassium and phosphate.
NOW - we are talking about aquaponics here - so you cannot mess around with nutrient levels like in hydroponics - so you are going to have to experiment somewhat to see what strain of plant works best for you.
There are other BYAP growers on this site from Hawaii who might be able to help you out a bit more - anyway - good luck!
WD

If your focus is growing plants and not fish then you can reduce feeding to the fish and add extra potassium and phosphate in what ever form you choose. Of course these adjustments take time to set in...

Hi Dan

On the point of adding nutrients to boost growth in AP. any suggestions on the best way to upgrade the P and the K without damaging the fish and the bacteria.?

Our system currently supports lettuce,mustard, mizuna and a few herbs but we may experiment with some strawberries next season and the needs of the first are much less than the second.

Has anyone on this forum looked at whether a particular plant in a growbed has a therapeutic effect upon the fish?

WD

Hi WD...

Potassium and phosphorus.... seasol, maxicrop, potassium bicarbonate, buried bananas etc..

Iron.... chelated iron...

Morning Rupe

Thanks for that. At the expense of showing my stupidity, are we talking a foliar feed here and allowing the growbed to take out the nutrient value.
Doesn't include bananas ,of course. Never thought of burying them in the growbed.

Any thoughts on companion planting to help the fish.

WD

They're basically all designed as foliar feeds... but can be applied into the fish/sump tank directly... perfectly fish safe....

All are also touted as "plant tonics".... and some members maintain that they have a similar affect on their fish health...

I put my cream of tartar (Potassium) and chelated iron (concentrated liquid) straight under the inlet to the grow-bed. The water distributes it from there with the flood and drain action (obvviously ending up in fish tank water - which is of no harm to the fish). I haven't ever added a phosphorous supplement. What would be the signs of a phosphorous deficiency?

Stunted growth or weak stems. Phosphorous is good for stem and root development.