Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

All,
I suspect that this topic has been covered but couldn't find it. I don't want to be limited to just green leafy veggies but I understand that fruiting and flowering plants need more nutrition that the fish/bacteria can supply. What are some fish safe amendments that can be used to ensure plant health?

T.

Seasol

Often fruiting/flowering plants are short of potassium... if you pH needs some buffering, then you cankill two birds with one stone... and add potassium bicarbonate...

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3406&sid=3833e374a379a69bf073282a40209066

That thread is mostly talking about safe sprays to deal with pests and such but I'm sure there are mentions about what additives are used as well.

Most people (though not everyone) seem to need to help out with iron and potassium. Chleated Iron is usually preferred for dealing with iron deficiency though I have used Iron Sulfate when I couldn't get any chleated Iron. Maxi Crop or Seasol are the preferred sources to supplement potassium as well as trace elements though when I couldn't get my hands on Maxi Crop I did resort to murate of potash (potassium chloride) for my system to supplement potassium. Some people have managed with pealed bananas buried in the grow beds. Others have lots of rusty iron burried in the grow beds or under water.

Some people have also used potassium bicarb to not only keep their pH up but to supplement potassium. I've also heard of cream of tartar mentioned.

Other things I've heard of people using to supplement plants include, worm tea, compost tea, small amounts of humonia when the fish are not eating much due to cool weather, and I'm sure there are more I'm not remembering right now.

What you need will depend on your water, your media, your fish feed, and the plants you grow.