media

[brad]

Would using pea gravel, peat moss, and perlite be ok for my small indoor aquaponics system. I am using. the flood and drain method.

[Alex Veidel]

I'd imagine so, but I don't really like peat moss. It's not a sustainable material, plus its a highly acidic and inhibits bacterial growth. I've never used perlite.

[Kerry McMahon]

Pea gravel is different in different places.  Take a handful of yours, wash it real good, then put it in a cup/bowl/whatever with some vinegar.  If it bubbles, then it will cause you problems (it'll raise your pH levels).  If it doesn't, then it should work fine for you.  I read that peat moss will be a problem as it breaks down.  I don't know about perlite, vaguely remember reading something that said it was ok, but I wouldn't trust that without other research.

[brad]

Thanks that is pretty helpful what would you recommend using for the flood and drain method? Also how many lumens should my light have?

[Kerry McMahon]

Sorry, I'm not going to be much help to you.  I'm just putting together my own first system now.  Just wanted to share the knowledge I found while researching. 

For the system I'm building, I am using a flood and drain method.  It was the first method I learned about, so it seemed like the right way to go.  :)  Considering possibly adding on a floating raft system later on to grow more lettuce type stuff (chard, kale, spinach, etc). Way down the line, I thought I might try to find a way to integrate a wicking bed system into the AP system to grow potatoes and peanuts (and carrots, depending on how they grow in the f&d media bed).

Mine is outside, so I don't need a light and haven't researched that at all.