A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Large Bamboo for NFT System

Has anyone used large bamboo for a NFT Systen instead of PVC pipe. If so what will the Bamboo do to the PH readings?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patrick Fenton on August 13, 2011 at 7:58am

I've been reading that driftwood in your tank will slowly bring down the ph level. I'm wondering if bamboo would do the same?

Permalink Reply by Michelle Silva on August 13, 2011 at 8:23am

I've wondered about bamboo in the past..I love that it is local, sustainable and it could look really beautiful as well..

How were you thinking of using them..whole or split lentghtwise? If whole, not sure how you would drill out the separating sections that are on the inside..but there must be a way.

We made some timber (large) bamboo shelving on the side of the house back in Nov from some locally harvested bamboo (they're for holding the baskets for the produce buying club I have called Passion for Produce)..They are split in half lengthwise and the fluffy fibrous stuff on the walls of the inside is starting to make a bit of a mess (looks like fine sawdust)..I have to seal it..I'm wondering if that would be also be an issue, maybe not if water is constantly running thru it. I would think there should be a way to make it work.

Keep us posted if you decide to give it a try!

Michelle Silva

www.passionforproduce.net

Sarasota, Fl

Permalink Reply by John Allison on August 13, 2011 at 9:02am

I will set up one bamboo NFT system for a trial run and see how it holds up. I will try to open the sections of the bamboo with a long piece of rebar or pipe and run it through the closed off sevtions so the water can flow through. As far as I know that is the only way to do it. I will have to ask the locals on how they would do it.

I still would like to know if the PH from the bamboo is a 7.0 as with coconut fiber. If anyone knows please let me know.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Silva on August 13, 2011 at 10:00am

I could try to put some of the fine dust type fibers into water and test it..not sure how accurate it would be.

Permalink Reply by Kimothy Smith on April 10, 2012 at 3:33pm

John,

How did this work out for you? We have a client that is very interested in bamboo NFT. Would be grateful for a response and to know your experience.

John Allison said:

I will set up one bamboo NFT system for a trial run and see how it holds up. I will try to open the sections of the bamboo with a long piece of rebar or pipe and run it through the closed off sevtions so the water can flow through. As far as I know that is the only way to do it. I will have to ask the locals on how they would do it.

I still would like to know if the PH from the bamboo is a 7.0 as with coconut fiber. If anyone knows please let me know.