Biochar as a Aquaponic Substrate - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T13:29:19Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/biochar-as-a-aquaponic?id=4778851%3ATopic%3A133131&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI use biochar that is inocula…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-12:4778851:Comment:3618392012-07-12T06:39:23.779ZJim Hallhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JimHall
I use biochar that is inoculated with Indigenous Micro Organisms IMO. Biochar deplete of the oils makes a great apartment or reef type habitat for the IMO. Seems to work well at kick starting the system too:
I use biochar that is inoculated with Indigenous Micro Organisms IMO. Biochar deplete of the oils makes a great apartment or reef type habitat for the IMO. Seems to work well at kick starting the system too: I've made a lot of charcoal f…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-12:4778851:Comment:3618252012-07-12T03:57:11.056ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>I've made a lot of charcoal for gardening, probably the equivalent of several large trees worth. I'm a firm believer in its benefits in the ground but haven't used it in aquaponics. Charcoal made at a higher temperature with volatiles driven out would probably work better in aquaponics, as studies have shown that it does in the ground. It would definitely be more porous but would be more brittle too, more likely to break down into small pieces. We did hear a report back that there was a…</p>
<p>I've made a lot of charcoal for gardening, probably the equivalent of several large trees worth. I'm a firm believer in its benefits in the ground but haven't used it in aquaponics. Charcoal made at a higher temperature with volatiles driven out would probably work better in aquaponics, as studies have shown that it does in the ground. It would definitely be more porous but would be more brittle too, more likely to break down into small pieces. We did hear a report back that there was a lot of moisture wicking to the surface of the charcoal. Maybe someday I'll try it but gravel seems to be working very well for me right now. Good luck.</p> I've used the natural "lump"…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-12:4778851:Comment:3615432012-07-12T00:28:53.542ZChuck Goeckehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChuckGoecke
<p>I've used the natural "lump" charcoal from big box stores as a filter media for my Koi and goldfish with no negative effects. In many ways it is almost the ideal filter media, and probably a good bed media too, except it is so light. The relatively pure carbon does not ever break down chemically, and the porosity and surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize is unexcelled by any other material. This is what carbon is famous for, its ability to absorb and adsorb materials onto all…</p>
<p>I've used the natural "lump" charcoal from big box stores as a filter media for my Koi and goldfish with no negative effects. In many ways it is almost the ideal filter media, and probably a good bed media too, except it is so light. The relatively pure carbon does not ever break down chemically, and the porosity and surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize is unexcelled by any other material. This is what carbon is famous for, its ability to absorb and adsorb materials onto all that surface area. There are two forms of natural charcoal carbon. "Activated" charcoal, used for filtering in both industry and aquaria is charcoal that has been "cooked" , ie pyrolyzed, to a very high temperature, like over 800 deg F, which completely decomposes all the volatile chemicals in the wood, AND drives them off. Some chemical or physical processes are then added to further increase the usable(absorbative) surface area. It is not hydrophobic, obviously, as it would be a terrible filter media if it were. <br/>Regular lump charcoal is not pyrolyzed to such a high heat, like maybe just 500-700 deg F. Thus it retains some of the volatiles, the wood oils and complex tarry organic compounds produced during pyrolyis, which accounts for the hydrophobic behavior when it is very fresh. Since these organic compounds are very nasty, one might think they would be bad for your fish, but remember, the reason they didn't cook out of the charcoal is because charcoal is very tenacious at holding onto them. Firstly, they are just present small traces, and they don't really wash out of the charcoal very fast. The bacteria that colonize the pores in the charcoal love to eat these organic compounds so eventually the bacteria clean up the charcoal, and it fully wets and saturates with water. <br/>The pH issues are just due to the ash content. Initially, this can be wash out. The ash is mostly potassium, so it should just be a good nutrient, when the pH is adjusted. The ash content of different woods are probably all over the map, and may even vary depending on the soil and climate where the trees grew. The lump charcoal I've gotten is either "Hardwood"; probably mostly oak, and specifically mesquite, some pieces of which were too hard to cut up into smaller pieces. I cut the charcoal up using my professional grade hand pruner, trying to cut the lumps across the original wood grain as much as possible. I tried to cut the pieces into about 3/8 to 1/2 or 3/4 inch pieces.<br/><br/></p> Hi Harold,
My neighbor makes…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-03-20:4778851:Comment:3088302012-03-20T22:43:46.449ZSheila Bjeletichhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SheilaBjeletich
<p>Hi Harold,</p>
<p></p>
<p>My neighbor makes all our biochar here in Columbus, NM with pecan hulls which give a char with pH 6.8 -6.9. He says the pH will vary with the feedstock used. We can't wait to include our biochar stoves with aquaponics. <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Harold Sukhbir said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biochar-as-a-aquaponic?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A159830#4778851Comment159830"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi…</p>
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<p>Hi Harold,</p>
<p></p>
<p>My neighbor makes all our biochar here in Columbus, NM with pecan hulls which give a char with pH 6.8 -6.9. He says the pH will vary with the feedstock used. We can't wait to include our biochar stoves with aquaponics. <br/> <br/> <cite>Harold Sukhbir said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biochar-as-a-aquaponic?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A159830#4778851Comment159830"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi Dave,</p>
<p>I'm very interested in knowing what PH you're getting with this biochar medium in your AP. Is it possible for you to test it?<br/> <br/> <cite>Dave Donley said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biochar-as-a-aquaponic#4778851Comment133241"><div>Try it and see!</div>
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</blockquote> Interesting. I'll check it outtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-08-03:4778851:Comment:1694132011-08-03T16:01:30.911ZConrad Chin-Yeehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ConradChinYee
Interesting. I'll check it out
Interesting. I'll check it out Hi Dave,
I'm very interested…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-21:4778851:Comment:1598302011-07-21T04:54:26.793ZHarold Sukhbirhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/HaroldSukhbir
<p>Hi Dave,</p>
<p>I'm very interested in knowing what PH you're getting with this biochar medium in your AP. Is it possible for you to test it?<br/> <br/>
<cite>Dave Donley said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biochar-as-a-aquaponic#4778851Comment133241"><div>Try it and see!</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Hi Dave,</p>
<p>I'm very interested in knowing what PH you're getting with this biochar medium in your AP. Is it possible for you to test it?<br/> <br/>
<cite>Dave Donley said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/biochar-as-a-aquaponic#4778851Comment133241"><div>Try it and see!</div>
</blockquote> Well a couple members here ha…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-21:4778851:Comment:1586622011-07-21T01:05:18.673ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Well a couple members here have done the charcoal thing successfully in aquaponics.</p>
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<p>When I start up a new grow bed I like to add a hand full of worms along with some castings into each grow bed just to provide a nice mix of beneficial bacteria to the new bed as well as a starter population of worms to take care of the solids going into the beds once the system gets going.</p>
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<p>I think brewing activated worm tea and spraying it on the plants would be a good way to…</p>
<p>Well a couple members here have done the charcoal thing successfully in aquaponics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When I start up a new grow bed I like to add a hand full of worms along with some castings into each grow bed just to provide a nice mix of beneficial bacteria to the new bed as well as a starter population of worms to take care of the solids going into the beds once the system gets going.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think brewing activated worm tea and spraying it on the plants would be a good way to help provide nutrients to struggling plants as well as help combat certain pests and diseases.</p> Yeah i found biochar is basic…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-21:4778851:Comment:1594402011-07-21T00:47:53.724ZRaylardhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Raylard
<p>Yeah i found biochar is basically charcoal but you get the best quality if the wood is fired at a certain temperature. I'm very curious as to how it would to in aquaponics. haven't started yet, been too busy, but when i do i'll be back wiht the results.</p>
<p>I'm think of actually putting the worm castings in a tea bag instead of in the growing medium.</p>
<p>Yeah i found biochar is basically charcoal but you get the best quality if the wood is fired at a certain temperature. I'm very curious as to how it would to in aquaponics. haven't started yet, been too busy, but when i do i'll be back wiht the results.</p>
<p>I'm think of actually putting the worm castings in a tea bag instead of in the growing medium.</p> A simple definition of Biocha…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-07-19:4778851:Comment:1583062011-07-19T18:32:16.598ZGeorge Thttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GeorgeJThurmon
<p>A simple definition of Biochar is charcoal used for agriculture. It's carbon. I make it and use it in soil and have been pleased with the results.</p>
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<p>25% compost for aquaponics medium is really out of the ordinary. I can't imagine that it will drain well.</p>
<p>A simple definition of Biochar is charcoal used for agriculture. It's carbon. I make it and use it in soil and have been pleased with the results.</p>
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<p>25% compost for aquaponics medium is really out of the ordinary. I can't imagine that it will drain well.</p> Thank you Dave for sharing. I…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-06-17:4778851:Comment:1336042011-06-17T21:35:47.373ZRaylardhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Raylard
<p>Thank you Dave for sharing. Ive been curious about the pH and mixing it with compost, since a lot of people say it shocks plants since the biochar is absorbing itself with nutrients and hindering the plant from do the same. It also increases the production of microorganisms!</p>
<p>The pH of the Biochar does depends on the material, but also a huge factor is the temperature it was created at. maybe its different materials heat up at different temperatures?</p>
<p>Biochar does decompose, but…</p>
<p>Thank you Dave for sharing. Ive been curious about the pH and mixing it with compost, since a lot of people say it shocks plants since the biochar is absorbing itself with nutrients and hindering the plant from do the same. It also increases the production of microorganisms!</p>
<p>The pH of the Biochar does depends on the material, but also a huge factor is the temperature it was created at. maybe its different materials heat up at different temperatures?</p>
<p>Biochar does decompose, but very very slowly. pretty much neglegible.</p>
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<p>I'm going to mix 25% biochar with 50% hydroton and 25% compost to have as my aquaponics medium or in a way to get a neutral pH. I'm very knowledgeable about hydroponics and am using aquaponics and my newly developed vertical growing systems. (<a href="http://www.vertigrowsystems.com" target="_blank">www.vertigrowsystems.com</a>). Hopefully adding Tilapia to the mix shouldn't be an issue. I'm definitely going to make sure my biofilter is set up before i take on this next step.</p>
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<p>I got all of this info from here and a 1 hour video from stanford on biochar, but its all regarding soil, so...</p>
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<a href="http://biochar.pbworks.com/w/page/9748043/FrontPage" target="_blank">http://biochar.pbworks.com/w/page/9748043/FrontPage</a><br />
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