Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

ok so after reading some information under the crack pot ideas catagory about a guy who used microorgansims from the rainforest to grow large veggies i began to wonder about what kinda things are living in my system. because my system in completely indoors and has only recieved water from the tap, i figure that it dosn't have alot of tiny things living inside, and my idea was that if i was to go to a stream and collect some i could in affect help my system, my concerns are what are the chances that ill get somthing that will harm my system and also how would i collect them get a soda bottle of stream water? dose anyone know about the little creatures and if they do help at all? the way i see things the more divirsity the better

Rblaster, well there are two distinct schools of thought on the matter, i'll try and find the thread where is been discussed for you. I think the topic may have even been shut down

Already got the link Steve

rb, there was a discussion about this a while ago, here

You'd be surprised how much microbial activity there is just from your tap water, plus from the fish and the plants. But if the stream is clean and healthy, I personally see nothing wrong with adding creek water to a system.

J, what tap are YOU using? LOL

i'm with J, pick a nice healthy stream. And i reckon its better to do once your system is fully cycled and then some. (which yours is)

Micro organisms are vital to healthy soil and healthy plants. The vermicast (worm poo) produced at work is tested for N P K which is minimal so why do things grow so great in it....phenominal quantites of microbes (also tested) . My advice would be forget the rainforest, go get yourself some worm juice and pour a bit in or even some old compost..soak it in water n strain. it'll work just as good if not better. I used it instead of seasol for establishing bacteria in the new system