Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I had originally hoped to make duckweed the primary source of food for my Tilapia. After I got started I realized that they consume (even as 2" fingerlings) more than I could ever produce. I am supplementing with some food I bought called AquaNourish. It is supposed to be healthy and manufactured with the intention of humans consuming what eats the food. I will always grow duckweed and supplement their diet with as much as I can grow.

Can you get all the nutrients you need for your plants from duckweed alone?

I am guessing you meant fish? At the cost of a slower growth rate than commercial food. I understand that between the algae in the tank and the duckweed Tilapia can live a happy and healthy life. I am supplementing with commercial food to increase my growth rates because we are hungry! :-)

9/16/2014

Getting these goldfish out of the tank is proving to be nearly impossible especially in my current condition. I might have to just wait or try to fashion a fish trap of some sort.

I meant plants

Remember, for all your output, you need input. Now in a closed system, that input can be lessened, but there still needs to be input if you want output. The algae and duckweed will compete for nutrients with your vegetables. That can be okay, IF you are supplementing with something that came from outside your system.

How would you recommend adding nitrates to the system?

By feeding the fish...

I have had the system going now a while with a steady 0.0 ppm Nitrate result from all of my water tests. Is this normal? Is this good? I have 25 goldfish and 25 tilapia fingerlings in a 330 gallon tank with 4 GB's. My plants seems happy, a little stressed, but I think that is my pH level being too high.

I moved my goldfish once. Result? They all died.

Not looking at moving any fish, just wondering if I am supposed to have 0.0 nitrates or should I run out and buy some more fish to help my plants?

Ah ok, thanks nickjam. Hope your system starts balancing out with the nitrates and all!

I was wondering the same thing, and want to do some more looking into this! It makes sense what a previous poster was saying that if grown in the same water they will be competing for nutrients with the plants. I am also wondering if in general, even when grown separately can duckweed provide a complete source of nutrients for fish and plants.

Anyhow, don't want to detract from this thread so I just might post this question elsewhere!

Please do not, that is the point of this thread. So, duckweed steals from plants, plants provide for the fish. So therefore a certain portion of the "theft" I plan for my duckweed. But, please understand than that my original needs have been far exceeded, I used to have an ambient nitrate of 40+ PPM and now I measure 0.0 on a regular basis. I am actually waiting for them to breed as promised to meet my needs...JUST FYI....

where did you get this information?


I strongly disagree.