Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

certainly adding organic components (eg straw) to water to control algae growth has been proven in dams, so I think as a concept it has merit.

Even if it is a ridiculous idea, I don't think it should be 'poo pooed' and scientific evidence required immediately - as this destroys the spirit of experimentation - If everything to do with AP is totally evolved as far as it can what would need to be discussed on a forum - we'd just have to refer people to previous links and say use the search button again.

I think we should be encouraging experimentation (as long as people are willing to take on the risks of doing so)

Incorect, the majority of the earths nitro in cycle takes place in soil. This is standerd accepted sicencitic knowlage, do a Google search.

AP is mans a temp to house an eco system in a man made container. The true potential of AP can be recognised by using organic media, the trick is to let the root hold it together first. It add a whole other dimention to AP but organic media does allow you to maximise plant growth by being a super buffer for the fish waste. Eg, the time between you harvest fish and for the young fish to get back big enough to produce waste, all that time your nutrent levels are not depleted. Organic media is the better battery for your plants. Apply basic soil building principals and experiment with different components, your bed must be 12in deep and n 2 layers, the bottom layer is in netbags and the top layer is lose the net bags help with water flow.

Sorry Nanoo All sounds like a complete waste of time and effort to me and possibly a huge risk

Why take a system that works great just they way it is and dump rotting vegetable matter into it with no idea what the likely impact are , sounds a lot crazy

But hey your the AP Consultant around here if any body knows about these thing it would be you I guess

So we will have to wait and see.
Who knows we might soon all have compost bins connected to our AP systems.

My island is lime stone, any inert media has to be imported, $100 us gets me 4 buckets of hydroton, hence I use soil.

+1
and careful observation can lead to new insights

+++++10000

Yes, it's correct to say that "the majority of the earths nitro in cycle takes place in soil"...

But you were referring to nitrification in AP... and that nitrification in AP is basically taking place.. in water...

The nitrifying bacteria are attached to the surface area of the media... but they're dependant on the constant supply of water for food...

+1 this... same reason we did not use hydrotons... it is very costly when compared to gravel, coir-pith, M-sand.

The following abstract is found at: http://www.actahort.org/books/678/678_25.htm

Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is one of the most economically important fishery products of Thailand with export viability. Unfortunately, disease losses cause a major problem in the production of farmed tilapia. Most farmers have been using chemicals and antibiotics to treat fish pathogens which leads to the creation of antibiotic resistant pathogens and undesired residues in the fish and in the environment. Food safety is currently a great concern worldwide and Thailand’s inspectors are now finding antibiotic residues in exported fish products. The purpose of the present research is to apply the Indian almond, Terminalia catappa, as an alternative to the use of chemicals and antibiotics in the aquaculture industry. Dried leaves of Indian almond were ground and dissolved in water. A variety of concentrations of this solution were used to determine resulting activities against tilapia pathogens. The results indicated that Trichodina, fish ectoparasites, were eradicated at 800 ppm. The growth of two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila was also inhibited at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml Indian almond leaves upward. In addition, this solution can reduce the fungal infection in tilapia eggs. Research is underway to determine the toxicity of this solution, if any, on tilapia and the isolation of the active ingredients in the Indian almond for fish pathogen treatment.

Own experience:

I have been using T. catappa leaves, bark, roots, wood and seeds for a huge variety of things regarding all aspects of my aqua-hobbies. Each element of this tree is beneficial in some way or another. However users must understand this tree delivers extremely powerful antigens and antioxidants in to your water column with exception of the leaves. Although the leaves provide the same benefits on the whole as the other parts of the tree, it is generally much more suitable for fish or invertebrates.

Freshwater shrimp, LOVE the leaves, as the leaves start to decompose the critters eat everything excluding the leaf vein. So if you do add it to your aquaponic systems, add some freshwater shrimp as well to deal with your decaying leaves.

the following benefits I have experienced from using dried T.catappa leaves first hand (mostly in my aquariums, not in my aquaponics...yet)

- It is a Natural Water Conditioner. Humic (organic acids) and tannins found in T. catappa naturally lowers the PH (minimally), absorbs harmful chemicals.

- Great way to add trace minerals to water column naturally

- Natural anti-inflammatory/anti-fungal agent because of the flavanoid Quercetin found in T. Catappa leaves. i use these leaves in all my breeding tanks, and for the past 4 years, i have yet to loose any organism due to fungal outbreaks.


on a side note:

ONLY USE DRY LEAVES that have fallen off, never ever add fresh leaves. Fresh leaves contain considerably higher quantities of quenrcetin, and if your system is small these quantitues can harm or even kill off fry or lead to stress in the fish.

read up about the Other parts of the tree to learn what this magic plant can do for fidh and humans.

Regards

Great find, Pieter. Thank you for the link. It is truly a Magic Plant for Aquaponics!