Just finished cycling, plants have deficiency...not sure what.

[Nichelle Hubley]

I'm a complete novice to aquaponics but so excited about it all. I just finished cycling my first system (in my basement) and am ready to add fish.

I planted some seeds about a month and a half ago and transplanted the to the grow beds three weeks ago. The zucchini plants took off and started growing like crazy. The leafy greens (I got the seeds mixed up so I don't know exactly what they are - lettuce, kale maybe) are growing slowly but some of the leaves are a little curly and a much lighter green/mottled colour. 

Since there are no fish in the water I have been adding something called flourish (http://www.seachem.com/Products/product ... urish.html) to supplement the nutrients and minerals. 

The growbed is constant flood, with 1.5 inches of dry media at the top. 

The pH is 7.8
Nitrate: 80
Nitrite: 0
Amonia: 0

Any suggestions? It seems that the most common problem is low iron - the flourish has iron in it, but maybe the wrong concentration? I'm located in a remote place so I just picked up what I could find at the pet store. I have read the recommendation for seaweed extract, I was just hoping to save on shipping fees.

[Alex Veidel]

How big is your system?

It's possible there isn't a high enough concentration of iron in your system, but I would put my money on magnesium. You can dose your system with some epsom salt (magnesium-sulfate).

[Nichelle Hubley]

Alex Veidel said:

How big is your system?

Just a little guy, 60 gallon tank

It's possible there isn't a high enough concentration of iron in your system, but I would put my money on magnesium. You can dose your system with some epsom salt (magnesium-sulfate).

I have some of that! I will throw some in! Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have any guidelines/resources about the amount and/or how long it will take to see an improvement?

Thanks a lot for your suggestion! 

[Alex Veidel]

For a sixty gallon tank? I think about around 2 oz. should do the job; maybe cut that in half one day and add the rest another.