Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

For several years I have been growing aquatic plants in tubs (mostly callas and aquarium plants). I would fertilize them with water that came from tubs containing tropical fish.It was only last year that I found out about aquaponics while searching on-line and immediately realized its potential to simplify what I was doing and make it more efficient. This spring I plan to build a couple of hobby greenhouses in a solar style in my yard.Having done this before at a different address I do not anticipate a lot of problems, but since I am new to aquaponics any good advice would be greatly appreciated!Since callas prefer root temperatures of around sixty degrees and the water in the system is being constantly recirculated tropical fish are out of the question. It looks like goldfish or koi would be a better choice.Trout would probably work but I am concerned about their oxygen requirements.Bait minnows are also a possibility.My main questions are: Would callas grow properly with the raft method (deep water culture) since they get to be over three feet tall and could one combine the fish tank with the plant tank since being aquatic the callas do not mind sediments on their roots and I could easily protect them from being nibbled on? Hopefully in a few months I can start posting some results and maybe a few pictures if all goes well. Good day eh?

Hi Dr Jekyll,

Ummm, whats a callas plant? I tried a search but came up with nothing.

there are plenty of options for you I would think, and there's no reason why you can;t have your plant culture section of your AP system 3-4 feet deep with aquatic plants growing in it..

calla lillys, large white flowers

Ahh ok... We call that an Arum lilly.. Noxious weed over this way, but very common as a cut flower. I've seen it happily growing in paddocks and other fairly dry areas, so deep water wouldn;t be required.

Or funeral lilly

Zantedeschia hybrids are beautiful flowers and their common name is also calla lily.
Burgundy, pinks, yellows as well as variegated foliage which dies down over winter here.
What sort do you have Dr Jekyl?

Good day and thanks for all the replies. The calla that I am referring to is Zantedeschia aethiopica. The varieties that I have are one with long,fragrant,white blooms and one called "Green Goddess" with white flowers edged in green and greenish underneath. The growers here that I have talked to complain of problems with various insects and soil diseases that destroy the entire plant. They tell me that callas can be challenging to grow. I have no idea what they are talking about. My plants are healthy,have no major problems with bugs,bloom freely most of the year and not one single one has ever died. I believe this is because they are being grown in water (callas are really bog plants) and because they are being fed with water from established fish tubs (same benefits as manure tea). Since the flowers sell here for six dollars and up per stem you can see why one might be interested in growing them. It would seem that an aquaponic system would be the best way to expand this idea while saving time in topping up water levels etc. Its worth a try.