Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Since most soil tests require you to create some sort of liquid solution in order to test for nutrients can they be used to test aquaponic water?

Welcome to the forum Jeff

welcome to the forum.


yes and no.....

yes - the diluted soil basically means that the water is actually being tested - which is why it must be well mixed etc and diluted at levels of 5:1 etc.

if it is an electronic meter that can be checked against a standard solution (calibration solution) then it may be fine.

no - in the sense that some of the tests are designed to report back against the soil (based on a specific dilution) rather than the actual water value. [that really depends on the test kit and method used]

simple answer is that API test kits are pretty inexpensive compared to how much you are going to spend on other things. They are pretty common on eBay and much cheaper there than many pet/aquarium stores etc.

I'm having problems growing veggies in my 3 year old 500 gallon system. 2 IBC beds with hydroton and 1 IBC raft bed. Leaves yellow quickly and fall off from all my plants. I was concerned about a nutrient deficiency but just checked the TDS and got a 1720 reading, way high. I brought in some potted plants for the winter and they are displaying the same symptoms. I am feeding them the fish water as well. Any idea what's happening?

Please post some pictures! Some nice closeups of the plants, top and bottom, and of your entire system so folks can better diagnose the problem. Water test numbers, etc. would be wonderful!

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Sam

>> Leaves yellow quickly and fall off from all my plants.

high TDS based upon what method/meter... EC ?

possibly either too wet or salt is killing them.

+1 Sam - better to post some pictures rather than have us guess..

would also be nice to have a full set of system values pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates etc.