Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I think it has definite benefits because it has so many trace elements that is prolly missing from AP (and it compliments AP due to its organic nature) - just got to try a few different ways to keep it in the GBs.

Did think of putting it on the bottom of GBs but then it makes it difficult for the plants to access - kinda defeats the purpose (WIPM )

Why not place it in a nylon stocking... either near the water flow or buried in the bed somewhere???...

like a "snake" type sock the length of the growbed??...

or peice of ag pipe filled with grow medium and dust, capped, buried.....

slowly leaching out over time??

guys, am i missing the point somewhere along the lines, but wouldn't the minerals become available once becoming dissolved in water? Then it wouldn't matter WHERE in the system they are situated as long as they have water flow over / through them.

Like the bio filter (bacteria) loaction. not important!

Probably right Steve... think people were concerned it was depositing a chalky layer on to the bottom of the sump tanks etc....

So I guess the question as you say is ... does this represent a real problem other than an asthetic problem???

As Steve suggesting, even if in solution, ultimately it will be taken up by the plants as required?? No???

I was of the understanding that it didn't dissolve as such....stayed in its solid state and thus needed to stay in the GB.....right/wrong???

les, most would say calcium carbonate also does not dissolve. but it does, very slighly and in response to the CO2 and or acid in the water.

There will be very complex reactions going on in the dirt (ap also) little beasties doing their part also, possible natural chelation of minerals.

End of the day, any nute HAS to be in aqueous form for the plants to take it up. (please correct me if i'm wrong).

Not sure about ALL minerals, but i know that stuff like iron becomes un-available to plants at higher ph's because it changes it from from a water soluble iron compound to a non- soluble compound.

See where i'm going?

You could be right....not sure where I got the idea it didn't dissolve, probably from what vb said about it ending up in his sump tank and he needed to remove it - must do a test in the morning then in a litre or 2

I agree with you Steve. The real issue for me is that because of the way I run my system, the solid stuff tends to find it's way to the sump. This then gets stirred up by such things as water top ups or maintenance work. Makes for very cloudy water until it settles again. Really an aesthetic issue unless it has any health effects on the fish.

maybe have it in a container filled with peat? the peat should hold the dust quite well.

I think it would be like the Dipel, shouldn't worry the fish until it gets too thick in the water.
The dust is settling out of water in the tank.

Aha.....won't worry about it anymore then....another AP mythbusted

The stuff I use breaks down pretty quickly and becomes part of the system. I just sprinkle it on to the top of the gravel and water it in with a watering can.

Muzza