IBC Aquaponics
A place for IBC tote systems to share what they have learned and system designs.
Requesting help with media/plants
Hi there, my IBC tote system is functioning well, fish are getting bigger(started with goldfish) and plant growth is amazing however fruit production is disappointing to say the least. Several posts recommended hand pollination and i tried but almost no female flowers to pollinate squash, peas or cucumbers and shaking tomato plants hasnt helped. Tiny hot peppers are great as is rosemary and basil. I took a picture of the media which is building up a layer of "thatch" and roots to the point where water isnt penetrating in those areas. I moved the water pipe to a "cleaner" area and that seems fine but
is the "thatch" something I need to remove(picture attached)?
how many plants in general for a 4 x 4 clay pellet media bed(I may have over planted)?
Which plants are best to produce aquaponically in a greenhouse?
Thanks to all who have been generous with responses in the past.
My inclination is to remove the existing plants and start again.
Arthur King, Jr.
Hi Mike,
I'm no expert by any means. I will say I have had a similar issue with poor fruit production with tomatoes (haven't tried cukes or peppers yet). Do you have composting worms in your media bed? I would remove the thatch if it is to the point to prevent water penetration. I clean any dead leaves and such build-up anytime I replant an area where items have been removed.
I blame my poor fruiting on not monitoring my system chemistry close enough to know if I have issues. My guess is I need more micro nutrients. I think if I try fruiting plants again I will add regular doses of seaweed to get those micro nutrients. I already alternate between potassium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate (egg shells) to buffer my pH.
Art
Aug 15, 2015
Jeff S
My first year I did tomatoes and bell peppers and had limited success. This year the tomatoes are doing great at least until last week when the one in the DWC bed wilted.
Aug 16, 2015
Mike Beckman
Thanks Arthur and Jeff, I did add composting worms early on and cleaning the thatch, did see some in the bed. The root system is amazing, you can lift whole sections of the media bed, clay pellets, roots etc. Cleaned the plants out, cleaning the bed and will decide what to re plant this week but for sure it wont be as many as I put in this time. Also cleaned out 3 wasp nests which may have been keeping the bees out!! Thanks again and if anything else strikes you, please let me know.
Aug 17, 2015