Logdate: 11/8/2014
Added two teaspoons of kelp extract to the water
Author: admin
Adding chelated iron to aquaponics
Logdate: 11/4/2014
The lettuces are growing very slowly. They have already been dosed kelp extract and now experimenting with chelated iron.
These are the before pictures to observe results.
The watercress are spreading out nicely though.
This mustard lettuce has been growing well too.
Adjusting aquaponics pH with more hydrated lime
Log date: 11/2/2014
The pH stabilized from yesterday’s calcium dosing at 6.4.
Today, I decided to add another tablespoon to bring it up a bit more. Five hours after dosing, the system reached pH of 6.8.
Adjusting aquaponics pH with hydrated lime
Log date: 11/1/2014
The aquaponic water has dropped down to pH 6.0 again.
This is a chance to add some calcium to the system via hydrated lime. Added one tablespoon to the water.
A preliminary test shows pH 7.2. But need to let the water stabilize before the test is accurate.
This will add some needed calcium to the plants since the water here is very soft containing no calcium. Last week, the system was dosed with kelp extract and the plants have had minor responses.
Anemic plants
Log date: 10/26/2014
Decided to try a foliar spray of kelp extract on a few plants. The light green trees look like they are lacking nitrogen. Will try that next after this experiment.
Good diagram of nutrient deficiencies
This blog post describes deficiencies well and it has an illustration of the symptoms.
Kelp extract foliar application
Log date: 10/25/2014
This plant was transplanted a year ago. It has never grown well and finally got stabilized after drip irrigation was added six months ago. However, it is still very slow growing as in not at all. Decided to try a foliar application of kelp extract at one teaspoon per gallon solution. We will see if things change. From the looks of the leaves, there are no visible nutrient deficiencies.
More kelp extract for aquaponic
Log date: 10/25/2014
The kelp extract added yesterday totally cleared up from the tank.
It seems that maybe the kelp extract was attached the hoses in the system. These hoses were clear the day before.
Decided to add another teaspoon to the system. Once again, the water was the color of tea.
Slow growth in new aquaponic setup
Log date: 10/24/2014
The aquaponic system started about a month and a half ago. The fish where introduced a month ago. The plants have not really grown much with the lack of nutrients.
Today, I dosed the tank with a teaspoon of kelp extract. It is a very small amount but wanted to keep the water less murky.
Aphids on the lettuce in the aquaponic system
Log date: 10/24/2014
Where did these aphids come from. I guess aquaponics is not immune to aphids. Rinsed out the plant outside. Took the gravel around the plant and rinsed it in the fish tank for a fish treat. Yum yum.
