Integrating wicking beds into aquaponic systems - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T13:47:45Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/integrating-wicking-beds-into-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWow,, another dead thread.. W…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-11-10:4778851:Comment:5859232014-11-10T04:38:57.614ZPaul Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PaulSmith
<p>Wow,, another dead thread.. Well here it is, 9 November, 2014. I going to add to it. Maybe winter can get some interest.</p>
<p>Here are pictures of my pond and wicking boxes this last summer. The whole thing will be modified come January, 2015.<br></br><br></br>The foam floats absorb water and are slowly sinking. I am going to switch to 2 to 3" bamboo and PVC pipe floats on the pond. It will be interesting to see how many plants survive the winter floating on the pond. My thought is they will…</p>
<p>Wow,, another dead thread.. Well here it is, 9 November, 2014. I going to add to it. Maybe winter can get some interest.</p>
<p>Here are pictures of my pond and wicking boxes this last summer. The whole thing will be modified come January, 2015.<br/><br/>The foam floats absorb water and are slowly sinking. I am going to switch to 2 to 3" bamboo and PVC pipe floats on the pond. It will be interesting to see how many plants survive the winter floating on the pond. My thought is they will gain some heat from the pond water, we'll see. It depends upon the winter.<br/><br/></p>
<p>The wicking boxes will be modified to have way less water level, 1 to 2", right now they have 3 1/2 to 5 1/2". Last summer they were too wet, with too much water standing in the soil. Some of my plants suffered.<br/><br/></p>
<p>I also had trouble with excessive algae, a result of overfeeding the fish. I have since learned that I can add up to about 1 lb. of salt to 100 gal. of pond water to control the algae and not hurt fish or plants. I am also looking into purchasing an UV clarifier in a loop in the system.</p>
<p>Well here are pictures of my system. The pond might print out upside down, who knows why?<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772265597?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772265597?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772264285?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772264285?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-center"/></a></p> Hi fellas, sorry for my lack…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-12-28:4778851:Comment:5386012013-12-28T03:21:55.389ZJon Parrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonParr
Hi fellas, sorry for my lack of visiting on here. I bit the bullet and started a commercial farm. I have a little over 2000 sq ft of wicking beds tied to 40,000 sq ft of rafts, and 8000 Bato buckets.<br />
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Wicking beds aren't really as complicated as you all might think. I am having great results using simple boxes lined with Skrim and filled with wicking media. I have used both through-flow, and dead-end beds. I have carrots, beets, peas, beans, tomatoes and everything you would ever want to grow,…
Hi fellas, sorry for my lack of visiting on here. I bit the bullet and started a commercial farm. I have a little over 2000 sq ft of wicking beds tied to 40,000 sq ft of rafts, and 8000 Bato buckets.<br />
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Wicking beds aren't really as complicated as you all might think. I am having great results using simple boxes lined with Skrim and filled with wicking media. I have used both through-flow, and dead-end beds. I have carrots, beets, peas, beans, tomatoes and everything you would ever want to grow, even a pineapple. The only source of nutrients comes most certainly from AP water, and the deficiency problems normally associated with aerobic AP are solved by the anaerobic floor of the wicking beds. Anaerobes and their products, by the way, are a blessing not a curse. Whether it is the sweet fermenting type like EM, or the foul sewer variety, plants thrive. If any of you are having dampening off issues, then your media wicks too well. It should be dry enough on top that seeds and transplants need to be top-watered for a bit until they get their legs. Once they hold their own, no flood and drain or surface watering need be done again. Roots built for water and anaerobes go deep, aerobic feeders go shallow. Plants know what to do, so let them do it. Good luck all. First pic question: you say w…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-13:4778851:Comment:5164672013-09-13T13:57:58.876ZBlue Hillerhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BlueHiller
First pic question: you say worms, but in this layer wouldn't they be submerged in water? How do they get nutrients? Looking for solutions to incorporate worms into wicking. Thanks.<br />
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<cite>Rob Nash said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/integrating-wicking-beds-into-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&#4778851Comment420325"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Chris, im looking for feed back on our new integrated wicking…</p>
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First pic question: you say worms, but in this layer wouldn't they be submerged in water? How do they get nutrients? Looking for solutions to incorporate worms into wicking. Thanks.<br />
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<cite>Rob Nash said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/integrating-wicking-beds-into-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&#4778851Comment420325"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Chris, im looking for feed back on our new integrated wicking beds. Im running a 500 gph pump to circulate ap water through the bottom to keep the water fresh. Using a coir, soil blend, with "Yum Yum Mix" added, and then a shot of compost tea to kick things off.</p>
<p>i will post pics as we make progress. </p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2684356938?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="455" style="padding: 8px;" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2684356938?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="455"/></a></p>
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<p>4" of live ap gravel and worms</p>
<p>2" of vermiculite and coir</p>
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<p>...this shows the progress of the layering.</p>
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<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772234532?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="457" style="padding: 8px;" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772234532?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="457"/></a></p>
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<p>1" of fine coir</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772235506?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="461" style="padding: 8px;" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772235506?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="461"/></a></p>
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<p>weed block fabric</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772236248?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" style="padding: 8px;" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772236248?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="467" height="322"/></a></p>
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<p>coir-soil blend, only at about 8" deep.. still need more soil and coir to get to 12" deep. i plan to reuse the coir from my weekly lettuce harvest to add to the beds... should make for a zero waste operation.</p>
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</blockquote> I meant charcoal not coal. cl…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-11:4778851:Comment:5156442013-09-11T02:44:59.060ZTetlomhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Tetlom
<p>I meant charcoal not coal. closed my experiment today, water is foul. Like I said, it was naive, will re-plumb with filtering and try a variation.</p>
<p>I meant charcoal not coal. closed my experiment today, water is foul. Like I said, it was naive, will re-plumb with filtering and try a variation.</p> Hey guys - thanks for sharing…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-11:4778851:Comment:5156342013-09-11T01:02:34.413ZTetlomhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Tetlom
<p>Hey guys - thanks for sharing all your ideas, very inspirational</p>
<p>Red volcanic gravel - is that what we call Scoria? - I was wondering about that also, as it has increased surface area and is lighter, never considered the mineral content, but did wonder about PH. Of course it would add risk to plastic liners as it is sharp. I will definitely be adding Azimote or similar when I can find it. Can't even find a decent uniseal or bulkhead fitting in Thailand, and everyone uses blue pipe for…</p>
<p>Hey guys - thanks for sharing all your ideas, very inspirational</p>
<p>Red volcanic gravel - is that what we call Scoria? - I was wondering about that also, as it has increased surface area and is lighter, never considered the mineral content, but did wonder about PH. Of course it would add risk to plastic liners as it is sharp. I will definitely be adding Azimote or similar when I can find it. Can't even find a decent uniseal or bulkhead fitting in Thailand, and everyone uses blue pipe for drinking, which concerns me. Coir is cheap and abundant at least.</p>
<p>Also wondering about about Coal, which is basically lumps of Bio-char right? Figuring it would have massive internal surface area, but wondering if it would break down and clog up the system, Also wondering about Cuttlebone, (calcium Carbonate).</p>
<p>Checked out Paul's Work on <a href="http://www.Earthangroup.com.au" target="_blank">www.Earthangroup.com.au</a> - wonder if he sells plans for a backyard system, he seams to be light years ahead in the movement. I am enjoying the discovery process, but also, am delaying start up, due to endless pondering of alternatives :)</p>
<p>I made a <a href="http://youtu.be/ERpGa5gayE8" target="_blank">video of my balcony experiment</a>, you guys would probably laugh at the amount of basic mistakes in this naive system, but it was fun. I use soil in pots that have a gravel with Sugarcane layer topped with compost/coir. Top fed drip, no fish, but does have compost liquid feeding into the return line. Water is kept not too smelly by adding a lot of EM. No filtering apart from the sugarcane mulch in the bottom of the compost bucket and planters. Was doing very well, then growth dropping off, I think the soil is too wet. so I only run the pump a few minutes a day, I could another pump feed to run some filters to remove solids.</p>
<p>I notice everyone using soil in integrated systems is using Sub Irrigation. I suspect that if we could bubble air up though the soil, we could perhaps run more volume of liquid through the soil either top down, or bottom up or both - any thoughts on this? <a href="http://modularhydro.com/ProductReviews/Air_Injection_Technology.html#soil">http://modularhydro.com/</a></p>
<p>Sorry long post.. </p> Hi Dear Friends,
I think that…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-10:4778851:Comment:5154802013-09-10T18:05:51.097ZPaul Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PaulSmith
<p>Hi Dear Friends,</p>
<p>I think that if you do some research, I think you will find that aquaponic water has some nutrient difficiencies that will need to be made up some other way. </p>
<p>I have read and have seen some evidence that volcanic rock powder can provide most of the micronutrients that are missing in an aquaponic system. Do you know of anyone who has had tests done? </p>
<p>Paul.</p>
<p>Hi Dear Friends,</p>
<p>I think that if you do some research, I think you will find that aquaponic water has some nutrient difficiencies that will need to be made up some other way. </p>
<p>I have read and have seen some evidence that volcanic rock powder can provide most of the micronutrients that are missing in an aquaponic system. Do you know of anyone who has had tests done? </p>
<p>Paul.</p> Hi Friends,
I have been away…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-03:4778851:Comment:5119192013-09-03T14:41:43.685ZPaul Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PaulSmith
<p>Hi Friends,</p>
<p>I have been away doing other things and haven't been on here for a while. I actually forgot where you guys were.</p>
<p>When I read these posts, I see where your wicking beds use various soils as well as the aquaponic water. </p>
<p>My question is: Do the plants get their nutrients from the aquaponic water or from the soil in the beds?</p>
<p>I want to set up a system where I can use the water from my fish pond to provide both nutrients and water.</p>
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<p>I have…</p>
<p>Hi Friends,</p>
<p>I have been away doing other things and haven't been on here for a while. I actually forgot where you guys were.</p>
<p>When I read these posts, I see where your wicking beds use various soils as well as the aquaponic water. </p>
<p>My question is: Do the plants get their nutrients from the aquaponic water or from the soil in the beds?</p>
<p>I want to set up a system where I can use the water from my fish pond to provide both nutrients and water.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have had great results with my grow boxes built similar to the Earthbox, (earthbox.com;) actually I bought</p>
<p>an Earthbox system then began building my own which are larger. My growboxes have a fertilizer strip in</p>
<p>the top of the soil mixed with some lime to reduce the acidity. I use a mixture of garden soil, coir and worm</p>
<p>castings which I will continue to use if I use the aquaponic water.</p>
<p>I plan to set up a series of my growboxes with aquaponic water continually flowing through the reservoirs.</p>
<p>Hence, my question. I would love to omit the fertilizer strip.</p>
<p>Thanks for Your input, Paul.</p>
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<p> </p> Just added two 4' by 8' wicki…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-07-15:4778851:Comment:4931992013-07-15T03:16:28.455ZEmmett Butlerhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/EmmettButler
<p>Just added two 4' by 8' wicking beds to our aquaponics system. Laid 4" perforated pipe in the bottom of the bed then covered pipe with course lime free sand. Covered sand with a layer of mesh fabric and then back filled the bed a premium soil. A supply line from the sump tank to the wicking beds connected to a float valve to keep a constant water level.<br></br> Will be planting carrots, beets, turnips and radishes in one bed to start with. The other bed, thought about lowering the PH to…</p>
<p>Just added two 4' by 8' wicking beds to our aquaponics system. Laid 4" perforated pipe in the bottom of the bed then covered pipe with course lime free sand. Covered sand with a layer of mesh fabric and then back filled the bed a premium soil. A supply line from the sump tank to the wicking beds connected to a float valve to keep a constant water level.<br/> Will be planting carrots, beets, turnips and radishes in one bed to start with. The other bed, thought about lowering the PH to possibly planting blueberries.</p> That all sounds like me ,more…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-06-08:4778851:Comment:4837522013-06-08T20:31:58.712ZCarl Jacobshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CarlJacobs
<p>That all sounds like me ,more ideas and experiments than money, especially now on a totally fixed income .Thank God ,I have been a avid diy er all my life ,recycle ,adjust ,modify or do with out. It is what it is ,think ,dream ,plan, and hope for the best .It's worked for me ,54 yrs. married to the same Woman .We have been LOVERS ,Parents.grandparents ,G>G>parents ,now were BEST OF FRIENDS , Doing what is possible enjoying the simple things .Planted in to my first wicking 4'x6'x9"…</p>
<p>That all sounds like me ,more ideas and experiments than money, especially now on a totally fixed income .Thank God ,I have been a avid diy er all my life ,recycle ,adjust ,modify or do with out. It is what it is ,think ,dream ,plan, and hope for the best .It's worked for me ,54 yrs. married to the same Woman .We have been LOVERS ,Parents.grandparents ,G>G>parents ,now were BEST OF FRIENDS , Doing what is possible enjoying the simple things .Planted in to my first wicking 4'x6'x9" table tank ,enjoying the possibilities ,added Chanel cats to the blue gill .Lots of new things to watch and play with . Grab you ideas like you would you child ,love and nurcher ,,Both with all you got You Can not lose. keep us posted. Later Carl <br/> <br/> <cite>Carl Jacobs said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/comment/show?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&id=4778851%3AComment%3A483851&xn_out=json&firstPage=0&lastPage=1&xg_token=717684c965bbdec63bccfeb4443a7b14&_=1370721947178#4778851Comment483851"><div><p><br/> <br/> <cite>Tetlom said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/integrating-wicking-beds-into-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&groupId=4778851%3AGroup%3A329626&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A329632&page=3#4778851Comment483672"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi Carl,</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement, those white tubs are fibreglass skins for Ice-boxes that did not make the grade, I picked them up for 100THB or 3AUD each. The metal frame they are standing on is a recycled crate that a customers Outrigger canoe came in. The last 2 concrete rings that have yet to be cemented in were about 35AUD delivered with the cement in the foreground. The Sump was a fiberglass ceiling dome, from second hand shop - 25AUD. Guess it adds up, no pumps or pipe or electricity yet. I still have a lot of homework to do, have not even done any measurements yet.</p>
<p>Incidentally, I got some rope rugs, looks very organic, draped them into the sump and planted through it, did not do anything special, but softens the edge.</p>
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Hi Carl,
Thank…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-06-08:4778851:Comment:4838512013-06-08T20:05:43.399ZCarl Jacobshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CarlJacobs
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Tetlom said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/integrating-wicking-beds-into-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&groupId=4778851%3AGroup%3A329626&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A329632&page=3#4778851Comment483672"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi Carl,</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement, those white tubs are fibreglass skins for Ice-boxes that did not make the grade, I picked them up for 100THB or 3AUD…</p>
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<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Tetlom said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/integrating-wicking-beds-into-aquaponic-systems?groupUrl=wicking-bed-growers&groupId=4778851%3AGroup%3A329626&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A329632&page=3#4778851Comment483672"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi Carl,</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement, those white tubs are fibreglass skins for Ice-boxes that did not make the grade, I picked them up for 100THB or 3AUD each. The metal frame they are standing on is a recycled crate that a customers Outrigger canoe came in. The last 2 concrete rings that have yet to be cemented in were about 35AUD delivered with the cement in the foreground. The Sump was a fiberglass ceiling dome, from second hand shop - 25AUD. Guess it adds up, no pumps or pipe or electricity yet. I still have a lot of homework to do, have not even done any measurements yet.</p>
<p>Incidentally, I got some rope rugs, looks very organic, draped them into the sump and planted through it, did not do anything special, but softens the edge.</p>
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