Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have started a new hobby system along with a raised garden in soil for comparison. The soils garden has a two week headstart on the aquaponics system. The strawberries in the aquaponics system bloomed first but has since slowed down. I have noticed that the leafs on some of the plants in the aquaponics system have some discoloration. The system is cycled. Any hints on why I have this issue. The ammonia is 0.0 ppm the nitrite the same. Nitrate as of today is 10.0 ppm but when last checked was 5.0. ph is at about 7.8. any advice. I have supplemented with some Epson salt. Very little though. There's not much info on how much to add for a system as small as mine. I have also crushed some eggshells and soaked them in conger for a calcium supp.

Hi Rammer

I posted a link on your other thread about getting some pics posted since they didn't come through before.

With nutrient deficiencies in a new system, when it's not just a lack of enough nutrients, it's usually either a problem with potassium or iron. In this case because the pH is high I'm going to guess that it's probably an iron deficiency. If I'm right you should be seeing yellowing on the new leaves because Iron is not a mobile element within the plant (it can't be easily moved from the old leaves to the new leaves). Try and get some pics posted because we can tell you more if we can get a better idea of what you're looking at .

Just so you know, occasionally you may see other deficiencies like magnesium for example but they're not as common.

Thanks for the good information. I'm having no luck with the photo download. I have lowered the camera settings for my phone to its lowest setting. The new Groth on the plants seems to be pretty green. The growth itself has slowed. I use magnesium I. The form of Epson salt, calcium with crushed eggshells in vinegar. I have not used iron. Any suggestions on a organic source for that. The system is small. Just a hobby for now. I would like to scale up just want to work out all the bugs first. Thanks again.

Hmm, well I'm not sure about the organic source of iron and what's been certified. If you can find one and if you're spray applying the iron you have a lot of options but if you want to add it to the system water where pH lockout could be a problem then there is only Fe-DTPA or Fe-EDDHA iron chelate (personally I'd get the EDDHA version because it's more likely to be available at your pH). Sorry I can't be more help with finding an organic version .

Most people here probably use Fe-EDDHA, FE-DTPA or some version of FeSO4. The chelates typically are organic compounds that loosely bind the iron and are made up of elements like carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sodium. All of which are pretty common in our systems. There can be contaminants like lead so like anything else just use it when you need it and not all the time. California has a database that manufacturers post up the contents of their products to.

Strawberries prefer a low pH, so won't do well with it up in the high 7's. Most other plants should be fine though.

It's recommended that you don't put any fruiting plants into a new system for the first few months, only leafy greens, herbs etc with a low nutrient demand. This gives the system time to build a up a nutrient bank.