Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Does anyone know of a safe organic product I can add to the system to feed my plants while they wait for the nitrate levels to build up in my system?
I'm using seasol but it doesnt contain any nitrogen.
I dont want to overfeed my fish either in an effort to increase their nitrate output.
if you know of something thats available at bunnings, that would be helpful too as I have to go there tomorrow.

Cheers guys.
Aeon

Aeon, haven't got any handy at the moment to check the chemical analysis...

but I've always used Liquid Seaweed... "Maxicrop" or liquid fish fertilisers for my soil plants.... mainly the seaweed...

Definitely high phosphorous and potassium in the seaweed and I think a fair nitrogen as well....

Alternatively for soil based gardens I know that "blood and bone" is HIGH nitrogen and medium K,P... haven't tried its effect on fish so I'd have to defer to others, but it is 100% organic...

perhaps sprinkled onto the growbeds and lightly watered in from the top for a couple of days... ala soil gardens

Edited : Forgot to add... the liquid seaweed also contains large amounts of chelated trace elements... stuff like maganese, iron and other stuff plants love

How about an ammonia containing substance that your bacteria can convert for you - how about urine :-)

Again with the urine

Have you ever thought of just bottling it and selling it under a different name.

Yep - but VB is already taken and has a very similar taste.

Fair call

aeon, what about charlie carp?

is meant to only contain boiled up carp.

look on the back for the NPK contents

What's up with the aversion to urine. I'll be doing a trial sometime soon to see how long a system takes to cycle using urine before fish are put in. Bloody urine will be months gone before you eat any fish ya bloody girls .

Was the word bloody used as an adjective there, or as expletive attributive?

added iron

I'm with you VB, it's all natural.

VB said "I'll be doing a trial sometime soon to see how long a system takes to cycle using urine before fish are put in."

Please keep us posted on this, love to know how it goes .

Hmm,
the yogis all drink their urine (mid stream - at daybreak) and the greeks were known for weeing on their sore feet when they were off fighting battles (convenient antiseptic) so with all of your endorsements I'll give it a go.
If anyone else tries this remember its better quality if you havent had any drugs, alcohol, acidic foods or fun, basically - so that is likely to cancell most forum members out actually.
Cant help to put a bit in - My fish are so teensy in this big pond its going to be years before they start to have an effect!

As long as you are all healthy.

And DD, how come you're now cycling up with pure ammonia? If you're in the 'Pee in it' camp, demonstrate your support!

off camera please