Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hi all,

i was wondering if anyone has thought about using the runoff from worm farms in their aquaponics systems?

i would imagine the worm juice would provide the plants a number of things that the fish water doesn't. you could also use water direct from the aquaponics tanks to moisten the worm farms.

the micro-organisms in the worm runoff thrive in aerobic conditions where they have a good food source. it would seem an aquaponics would provide both.

my concerns are ph, bacteria and DO levels effecting the stability of the system. i feel the micro-organisms may suffocate the system of oxygen if pumps are off to long.

any thoughts on this concept? i'm not sure if its been raised here before but if so please direct me to the post.

thanks guys

Most informed sources seem to suggest the leachate from worm farms is of questionable worth.....as distinct from a tea made from soaking the castings.

I reckon worm tea would be worth a go, particularly if it was introduced to your system on the discharge side of the fish tank pump so that it went to the grow beds first and then back to the tank. That way, the plants get first exposure and the bacteria in the grow beds have a crack at it before any residue finds its way back into the tank.

I concur.

i think that would be the best way to go as well.

has anyone here actually tried this?

thanks

I have... but saw no noticable differences anywhere in my system (which includes not loseing any fish...) - guess its a case of no news is good news then - I also use it in my duckweed bucket from time to time !

Wasn't there mention of this concept on the Gardening Australia segment at EB's place? I'm sure they mentioned his worm farms and using them inconjunction with aqua... can't remember exactly what the detail was, perhaps it was just expanding on the idea etc? Can anyone else remember more detail?

nope... but I have the worm farms to add to my 'future' redclaw's diet...

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na joel only mentioned puting vegie waste in the worm farms and feeding the worms to the fish. there was no mention of using the leachate or castings in the system itself.