No trace elements in an aq system

[Bluegill]

I was wondering how my plants are going to get the elemental nutrients that they need without soil.....Am I gonna have to supplement my water?
Ive heard that earthworms do the job, but dont know....
How about it Rupert?

[RupertofOZ]

Think I answered this else where...

The trace elements necessary for your plant growth are derived principally from the fish wastes, and uneaten pellet feed...

The pellet feed fed to your fish is formulated with a complete range of trace elements... for fish growth...

The action of the compost worms on the fish wastes... and breaking down of organic matter ... left over roots from harvesting, litter etc.... mineralises your system...

You can supplementary feed your system with some liquified seaweed extract... such as Seasol or Maxicrop.... or the addition of "rock dust"...

[Castaway]

Some people look at aquaponics and wonder if the full compliment of minerals are really available to the plants.
So do I.
I have a worm farm and regularly pour in worm juice into the growbeds as a tonic. The kitchen scraps you throw into a compost worm farm are processes by worms and any juice that is collected is harmless to the fish. To be honest I have not noticed any difference in plant growth and vitality in an aquaponics system. Scientists who study worms suggest that worms are incredibly important in cycling minerals back into the system.

Some info on elements worms are able to produce:
http://www.aquaponics.net.au/forum/showpost.php?p=15509&postcount=4

Some famous quotes:

”It may be doubted whether there are many other animals
which have played so important a part in the history of the
world as these lowly organised(sic) creatures”
CHARLES DARWIN ON EARTHWORMS, 1881


“Without the work of this humble creature, who knows nothing
of the benefits he confers upon mankind, agriculture, as we
know it, would be very difficult, if not wholly impossible”
CHARLES DARWIN ON EARTHWORMS, 1881


“Worms are the Intestines of the Earth”
ARISTOTLE


"Crikey! Worms! The Aquaponics Secret Weapon!"
MURRAY HALLAM

:D
(Just thought I'd stick you in there Murray for a laugh...)

[Jens UK]

I am composting loads of kitchen scraps thru the worm feeding stations in my growbeds. its amazing how quickly they empty. all the 'wormified' nutrients from there feed the plants.

jens