The phosphorus cycle

[TheNative]

I've been thinking about why this method of aquaponics (which from now on I will refer to as "Aussie" aquaponics, if there is a more suitable name, let me know) is so successful at producing edible fruits such as Tomatoes when other aquaponics methods can only produce quality leafy greens.

Tomatoes and other fruits require a high amount of phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus remains a solid on earth. It's most common form is a salt which accumulates on the ocean floor as sediment.

It has been noted that grow beds tend to perform better over time. It is likely that in the solids that accumulate at the bottom of an old grow bed is a high amount of phosphorus (not to mention other minerals). It would be interesting to gather some of this accumulated solid and have it tested for phosphorus.

This accumulation of solids at the bottom of a grow bed is probably why the 300mm grow bed depth is key to Aussie Aquaponics. There is enough room for sediments to accumulate in the grow bed over time.

[RupertofOZ]

And be mineralised by the compost worms we put into our growbeds... ;)

Yep, the mineralisation and release of trace elements in growbeds is one of the major benefits of "flood & drain" aquaponics...

[Murray]

And , minerals and trace elements are actually released from the gravel in minute amounts by the thousands of other bacteria and microbes that are present in a maturing grow bed.......There is a whole lot more happening in a grow bed other than just the two bacterial groups that are responsible for nitrification ..

The main man who precipitates this complex process in the grow bed is daddy worm.......You gotta love the worms.......hug1

A great way to start off the process in the very beginning is to actually add some worms, the composting type, to your grow beds.....and some of this stuff, or similar.
http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/images/wormextract1.jpg (http://www.aquaponics.net.au/product/prod144.htm)

[fishfood]

We had 4 old bananas that went black so i buryed them in one of the grow beds after a week i was planting and dug some up it was a solid clump of worms

[Murray]

On two of my beds I have fitted "Worm Feeding Stations"
Have been there for several months now. I put veggie scraps and the like in there and the worms love it. I figure it is a good way to encourage a bigger worm population for a given grow bed. That way I can be sure that any solids from the fish can be quickly processed.
See here (http://www.aquaponics.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=489)

[Byron]

On two of my beds I have fitted "Worm Feeding Stations"
Have been there for several months now. I put veggie scraps and the like in there and the worms love it. I figure it is a good way to encourage a bigger worm population for a given grow bed. That way I can be sure that any solids from the fish can be quickly processed.
See here (http://www.aquaponics.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=489)

might have to add one of those solid filters into my system :) hehe

[Julia]

Murray, can you please post a pic of your worm feeding station? Thanks. I can't seem to see it at your 'here' link. . .

[Byron]

correct me if im wrong but its the 100mm PVC pipe, looks like a normal syphon??

[orcy2010]

I've seen things like this and its a great idea. I believe Costa was adding something similar to a wicking bed on last weeks show. second video down. not a lot of actual information (as standard), but a couple of good images.

http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/costa/tab-listings/detail/i/1/article/6347/Worms-and-Compost