Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here is a pic of the inside system.

Even tried a little suspended raft with about 2 inches of space between the styrene and the water.

The house was starting to heat up with all the south facing windows so I moved every thing outside.

Starting to get serious about cleaning up the foundation of the old farm house.

The old foundation as of today July 10. Can only work on it about 3 or 4 hours away due to the heat and humidity.

Had some business to do down in the Cities so I dropped in at Midwest Supply. They stock supplies for beer and wine making. They also carry hydroponic supplies. I talked with the guy at the counter and it seems their only experience and knowledge is about hydroponics. Anyway I mentioned some brand names I've heard about on this forum. I couldn't remember all of their names nor their contents. They do not have Seasol nor MaxiCrop. So in the end I just rolled the dice and bought a quart of Fox Farm "Grow Big". It has some chelated iron in it.

Anyway would people please bring me up to speed on liquid supplements?

Brands you have used or are using now?

What kind or profile of analysis should I be looking for?

And maybe why those particular numbers and percentages?

I have farmed U-Pick Strawberries, so I'm familiar with soil tests and recommendations. Also dry fertilizers, foliar feeding and all the pesticides that are used in the industry . I want to stay away from all those chemicals.

But this aquaponics thing "is a whole new kettle of fish" for me. Sorry I just couldn't resist that!!

I just don't know what informational and quantities can transfer from soil based berries to aquaponics.

For example;

WIth field grown berries I know how to supplement for the different stages of growth, flowering , berry expansion, overwintering etc. BUT what liquid or solid supplements are safe for fish, if I need them, if I want to push them (plants)?

So can we discuss what people are using, analysis of and why?

Thanks in advance.

Because I'm getting some yellow leaves on strawberry plants, I'm starting to foliar feed with Fox Farm Grow Big. Here are some pics of the supplement;

Hi Bob, Im no guru on foliar sprays or supliments for AP but I will try and help. You really need to be cautious with unknowns so I hope the below helps..

I checked on my bottle of seasol in the shed and its a 100% seawwed extract with no ther info. I did find this on the net though, there is a link to a MSDS etc

http://www.suregro.com/fertilisers/seas ... 20ltr.html


Maxicrop + iron I believe is similar to seasol but I can only gather info from the net which is a cut and paste below

Maxicrop provides more than 70 minerals, growth hormones, cytokinin, auxins, vitamins, and enzymes.

Liquid Seaweed:
Minimum Guaranteed Analysis: 0.1 - 0.0 - 1.0
Total Nitrogen (N) 0.1%
Soluble Potash (K20) 1.0%
Derived from Ascophyllum Nodosum Seaweed
Chlorine no more than 1.0%



It might be best to wait to a professional chimes in before adding to your system.

I have the technical data for Seasol, but agreed not to distribute it until Seasol themselves update their website; they said it would be done a few weeks ago, but I guess their wheels turn slowly too.

If the yellowing leaves on the strawberries is being cause by an iron deficiency, Seasol does contain a "reasonable" quantity of iron. Compared with Yates chelated iron, Seasol has a bit less than half of that iron by volume (if you mix in accordance with manufacturer instructions and I've got my maths right?) Don't go adding twice as much Seasol though, remember it also contains a lot of other stuff!

Yea I dont know about the "grow big" stuff thou.... a lot of plain fertilisers like thrive have similar ingredients which are lethal to fish...

Like I said though Im no expert but Id be very wary about adding something other than an organic seaweed extract or similar.

But as bunson explained, Id be concentrating on the yellow leaves with a bit of iron for now.

Thanks Charlie and Bunson I'll do just that.

Now I'm thinking maybe a spreadsheet comparing stuff might be in order. Why does my my AP "to do list" keep growing

BTW I just measured up the old house foundation. Hmmmm.

Here is a rough diagram;

I've fired off an email to our local U of Minnesota's Hort and Ag Engineering Departments for suggestions on a transparent cover of some type. The "PADS" on the drawing are concrete slabs on the surface. A full (kinda sorta) basement is under sections "B" and "C". Less than 7 feet deep.

Anyone have any ideas? Nothing is off the table at this point. Then again if it's to expensive for the boss I may have to scuttle the idea all together. I'd hate to have to fill in the hole with clean fill. I guess I'll have to learn Sketchup for my "final presentation" to the boss and then the County Zoning Department.

Anyway no idea is to wild at this point. One requirement WILL HAVE TO BE that the Mrs. will have to feel comfortable sitting and enjoying the "scenery".

Ahhh, the Holliday Inn napkin, the original Sketchup.

Btw, Bob, look for liquid sea weed. Seasol is a brand in Oz. If you can not find any at your favorite hardware store, try Wholefoods.

Thanks Ronmaggi.

I'll look around for liquid seaweed. I really like the "original Sketchup" platform. Almost no learning cure if you have a good eraser

BTW I'm starting to collect DIY greenhouse designs trying to figure out what to do;

Found one possibility http://userpages.bright.net/~fwo/greenh ... house.html

Maybe I can stretch his design out to 30 feet wide using 2x4 lumber?

If I have time, I'll try and make one bow just for smiles and giggles

When does "the list" get smaller

I got a reply back from the U of Mn Hort dept;


Couple quick comments. . . .

1) Most folks have been finding that the most economical crop/s to grow are:
lettuce, mixed greens, basil. These are often chosen because they can grow under lower light levels that you probably have.

2) if you are going to add supplemental HPS lighting, there are more options including colored peppers and tomatoes.

3) Given heating costs may be an issue, the lettuce, greens route may be the most economical as they can be grown under cooler air temperatures.

4) In all cases, growing vegetables with this system would likely only be economical during the winter when fresh greens/basil/lettuce/spinach prices are highest/

I think there was a discussion once about minimum number of NFT holes (production) to make such a venture worth while.

Does any one remember?

What kind of prices are typical for wholesale and retail?

Any one selling or trading some of their surplus hobby scale produce produce?

I'm not interested in a new full time career in growing produce.

Just curious