Comment

Comment by halemart on September 3, 2011 at 9:10pm

I used molasses from a feed store for horses.    It comes in gallon containers.    I was using organic molasses, but that got $.     I was testing bacteria content with my microscope, and made some videos of the results for compost tea, then decided to test small amounts to excess to get an idea of what the system could handle, and high hopes of speeding up the cycle rate of the system.    Now that I know,  I add very little because now I have 30 fish, and I don't want to experiment as much as when I had 10.

Comment by Harold Sukhbir on September 3, 2011 at 9:02pm

There are at least  5 different types of molasses, my understanding is that blackstrap type has the most nutrient and there is even another one with the sulphur removed. Any particular type?

Comment by halemart on September 3, 2011 at 8:50pm

Small amounts of Molasses are fine,    I have tested up to 2/3 cup in 200 gallons of water.    It got the desired result of a huge foam of bacteria, however the bacteria formed a jell that destroyed my bilge pump.    Excess can be a problem to the pump, and could create alchohol in the system if too much.     Moderation gives extra mineral boost to the plants, and breeds gazillions of microbes from my experience.

 

Comment by TCLynx on September 3, 2011 at 7:50pm

Well, it probably depends on if there are any additives in the Molasses and how much you use.

I've never heard of anyone having trouble with using aerated worm tea around aquaponics and many people feed a bit of molasses to the microbes when they brew up a batch of aerated worm or compost tea.

 

Then again, I've never used molasses in my aquaponic systems so I can't really say.

Comment by Jake Schneider on September 2, 2011 at 3:04pm

good idea TC, but are molasses fish safe? 

Comment by TCLynx on August 26, 2011 at 8:23pm

Just keep in mind that most natural fibers are not going to last all that long constantly submerged in the nitrogen rich water, they will break down quickly so you will need a regular source of replacement towels.

 

I'm not sure that I would be all that worried about dyed cloth and I'm more likely to use old clean rags if they are likely to not last long and be thrown to the compost after a few uses anyway.

Comment by Jake Schneider on August 26, 2011 at 8:15pm

Allisyn, Chris, TC those are awesome ideas.  Are molasses safe for the fish?  If it is, then maybe a non-dyed cotton towel would work.

Comment by TCLynx on August 21, 2011 at 7:30am

Either that or perhaps a cloth that you could hang in the fish tank till the fish clean it off then pull it out and re-coat after it dries?

Comment by Chris Smith on August 20, 2011 at 8:45am

Great idea Allisyn. Norri(seaweed paper for sushi) coated with molasses might also work.

Comment by Allisyn Wood on August 20, 2011 at 5:56am

Rice paper with a thin, brush stroke layer of molasses??

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