Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have reached a point where my single growbed is no longer removing enough nitrate for me to continue feeding my fish to the dgree that I would like (and by this I mean 1 decent feed a day).

Until I put my next bed into commission, in the interests of keeping my fish growing, I am happy to forgo growing my preferred crops in lieu of growing whatever is going to remove the most nitrogen.

Does anybody have any ideas. I am assuming that lettuce is not going to be optimal for me - if for no other reason than the fact that it is a fairly small plant vertically. I would even consider growing some wheat, oats or something like that. Hell I might plant some amaranth in the bed.

The thing is I want to plant something I know is going to use a lot of nitrogen, that way I may be able to use half the bed fro growing the stiff I want.

PS - one big reason for my decline in nitrogen use is that my huge tom plnat is just about finished. Produced heaps of fruit - though grubs got a lot of them. Will use some dipel next time.

Sugar cane like lots of Nitrogen, No I am serious! it grows quickly as well and would soak up heaps of nutrients, or what about some legumes, Peas beans snowpeas, etc.

B.....y chinese cabbage, I'm looking at putting in rhubarb and silverbeet to take over when the CC is ready to harvest, watching my nitrates now that I have extra fish

Okay, I'm thinking maybe some brassicas (will have to look which ones are summer veggies, because a lot like broccoli and cabbage are winter crops), chilli's and maybe a couple of sunflowers. I'm not sure that sunflowers are nitrogen hungry - but I assume they would be to get the head on them.

Alex - like the idea of sugarcane, but think it may be a bit much for my poor little grow-bed - they are not massive like yours.

Anyone with any other ideas/comments I am all ears.

Any other thoughts.

its pumpkin time, have you seen how those bastards grow? I've pops some seeds in my bed

Brassicas have the highest need VB, but use the most in and after their mid growth stages rather than so much early on. 'Early Green' is a really fast broccoli variety which doesn't mind warmer weather and will use plenty of nitrogen up quicker than other varieties. 'Wong Bok' cabbages are another fast variety which handle heat well.

You could plant out 'Corno di Toro' capsicum and 'Relleno' chilli along with the brassicas. They will use heaps of nitrogen from very early on and will compliment the brassicas until they really get going. If you do use only brassicas, you might find that they don't make enough impact early on - though they will certainly make up for it later!

Another option which may not be practical for your bed is corn or maize - uses less nitrogen than the above options, but does use it at constant levels throughout its life cycle.

Other than that, you could try a trailing vine which loves nitrogen like one of the various melons if you have room beside your bed. They're a bit like brassicas though...use most nitrogen at the mid growth stage and after.

Maybe a fast-growing vine like a morning glory? You could trellis it in the direction you need.

oooo, no wait! How about trellising climbing beans?

VB, what is "dipel"?
I need something for my tomatoes !! I reckon there is a grub convention behing held at my place !!!!

Dident you see the thread qld grub convention murrys place all this month

Dipel is the same as BT. It is an organic remedy; a micro-organism that gives grubs/caterpillars terminal stomach cramps. Here's a blurb:

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
Biological Insecticide
Bt kurstaki
Dipel 150 Dust is intended for use against chewing larvae (caterpillars) of cabbage looper, cabbageworm, grape leaf folder, hornworm, cutworm, sod webworm, tobacco budworm and several others lepidopterous species. Apply upon first sighting of pests and repeat as necessary. Thorough plant coverage is necessary for control.

We recommend the Pest Pistol or the Eaton Hand Duster for application.

Treated vegetables may be picked and consumed anytime after spraying. Pets and family may return to the treated area immediately after spray deposits are dry. caterpillars must eat a small amount of treated leaf to get a lethal dose. Thorough and uniform coverage of both sides of all foliage subject to attack is essential for prompt and complete control. Caterpillars stop feeding within a few hours after taking a bite of the treated leaf. Death follows within a few days.

Corn is a really heavy feeder, and you could grow beans up them like a living trellis...
just as an aside, Janet mentioned growing morning glory, it's a declared weed in most states here, so probably don't grow that

I've found silverbeet to be one of the fastest grower in my systems, cucumbers would probably be a good consumer of nitrogen as well...

Muzz, if you use dipel - I would prefer it if you didn't toss the leaves to the SP, may not harm the fish but you were told the same about seasol and once applied the fish ceased "thriving"