Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

itz 7.1m2

I can't believe u read that mineralization thread already.. lol that took months to make.

but to your question I cannot say with is better but I can point out the advantages and compare the both for you.

ok Media is excellent to grow crops that needs alot of root support such as tomatoes and so on.. Media beds also give you that added surface area to help scrub thise minute Ammonia and suspended solids from the water and from my experiences it helps keep you water cool. its also excellent for growing plants from seeds scattered on the beds.
however where media fails.. are the risks of the bed being clog with solids.. especially by the bed inlet.. and causing anaerobic areas within the bed even if you have 2" boulders like I do and an excellent filtering system as I do.. it still seems to clog eventually especially if its a CF arrangement. and it becomes very labor intense to clean. also root accumulation also causes cloging over time.
but I'm inventing a great technique to say goodbye to that clogging for life.

DWC is ideal to grow lighter crops without any additional support. its alot easier to manage and very easy to clean.. also root can be removed rather easier and more completely as well.. additional aeration can also be added and services quite easily which will aid in plant overal growth.. you will never have to worry of cloging because all solids settles to the base of the bed where vacuuming can remove it. its also a much better option for commercial systems because of easier cycling and rotations of crops and also physical movement of the crop are alot easier.
however DWC needs a primary mechanical and bio filtering equipments.. because to rely on root for surface are isnt a very stable alternative. also the cost of Styrofoam together with net cups atleast where I'm from is alot more expensive that media and also not as durable as media.. and DWC vs Media bed with the same volume of water cannot convert ammonia as efficiently as Media beds.. but atlest they don't ever go anaerobic at the root zone.

Valid points, in your system I read you went from initially using DWC to using media beds and then now trying a setup with DWC and your net filters. Personally I have a preference for DWC owing to my experience working in a hydroponic nft farm way back.

It just looks so nice and tidy.

ok Good morning people. a little one week update.













Oh I forgot to show before but I got a paw paw tree growing in one of my beds. can't wait till it bear.



Happy Growing

I just thought about you feeding only 50 grams per day for 7.1m2 that probably wony last. I am assuming your plants are feeding on excess nutrients from you feeding more previously? What do you think? Very nice growth as always Cookie!!

Our Paw Paw look like this-

We call that a papaya??
Looks good ...whatever you call it.

nope without system I was feeding fishes 20g ever other day. and that was without the DWC added. also the DWC is twice the size of the FT. there were no ammonia nor nitrates. Plus the Filter was only in that system for 2 week nitrates is now 80ppm after 2 weeks at 60g per day with 200 seedlings growing.

lol we call papaya paw paw.. lol I didn't even know there was a difference. Thanks for showing me that Coach.

I like them both Cookie!

Cycling complete after 2 weeks!! can u belive that.

Then thats fantastic Cookie

ok a lil 2 weeks update.. you all be the judge.

before!!







AFTER 2 weeks!!











and a little extra.



Happy Growing Ppl!!

Awesome looking cookie!. Seems like its working like it should. Cheers!

Those are some good looking roots!

Yep they are. and to thing I didn't add a single supplement other than a one time iron addition. I too im stunned by its progress... also to add there is no additional aeration in the DWC beds.. just water flow in and out.