Apples to Apples Hydroponics - Environments

Worm Bed Drainage

Worm beds were started in early summer of 2000, seeded wtih 50 nightcrawlers and 250 red wrigglers (mostly tiny) each, fed shredded compost from the seed gardens as fast as they would consume it, and watered lightly when new compost was added. The beds stayed moist, covered with shredded compost continuously, so watering to the point of draining did not seem necessary. On October 11th, the beds were each watered to the point of flooding and draining out the bottom drain. 25 gallons of dark brown fluid was collected in total. The TDS of the worm drainage when it first came out was over 1100, but after the final drainage was added rested at a TDS of 983. The small hydroponics unit, with two flow tubes, was setup for worm bed drainage. The reservoir, with the two flow tubes, takes 23 gallons, which were added with out being diluted. Two gallons were held in reserve.

 

Fish Water

Fish tanks, actually 2 cow watering tanks each holding 293 gallons, were setup in early September, 2000 and seeded with 25 catfishlings each by mid-September, 2000. The bio-filter had scarsely started, and Amonia promptly started showing up in the water. A non-profit member donated Cycle (a bio-filter bacteria mix) and a gallon chemical solution designed to remove Clorine from tap water and slim the fish coats and a another gallon of chemical solution designed to block Amonia. In the pH of 7.0 of the lab tap water, Amonia in and of itself is not dangerour, but Amonia breaks down into Nitrite, without an operational bio-filter, which is harmful to fish. A couple weeks later watercress was added, floating on the surface of both tanks, to pull Amonia from the water. Second growth Chinese Cabbage pulled from the gardens in September, were tied over the fish tanks with their roots handing partially in the water, and lived and grew, forming new leaves to replace those dying off.

 

During October, with a high Amonia reading remaining, 1/7 of the water was changed out every other day, until mid-November when it was learned that the chemical solutions binds Amonia, but does not remove it from registering. Thereafter, two more full dozes of Cycle were added, and the phycial filter (1/7 of the volumn) no longer cleaned every other day, trusting to luck and the fish seem OK. One fish, which was languid when introduced into the tank, died within 2 weeks, and two other fish died within 2-3 months, for unknown reasons. In that transporting and chemical treatment were done, this is not a large loss. The water cleared of the bacteria bloom, but a yellowish color remained, which was eventually attributed to the commercial fish food.

 

The TDS of the fish water rose to 323 prior to the introduction of watercress, and thereafter fell to about 260. The watercress developed new leaves, new root systems from the cut stems, so apparently the nutrients were being taken up. Two flow tubes from the hydroponics were tied to the sides of the tanks such that the water returning from the bio-filter poured into them and out the other end into the tanks. This was a rapid flow, not stagnant. One fish, which was languid when introduced into the tank, had died within 2 weeks, and in the other tank, another fish died with a couple months, for unknown reasons. No other fatalities were encountered. In that transporting and chemical treatment were done, this is not a large loss. The water cleared of the bacteria bloom, but a yellowish color remained, which was eventually attributed to the commercial fish food.

 

Micro Solution

Standard commercial hydroponics solutions - MicroFlora (starting seedlings) MicroGrow (for rapid growth) and MicroBoom (for fruiting). The standard amoung of MicroFlora was added, 3C for the 80 gallons. The TDS registered at 1297, within the range of 1250-1300 recommended. Compared to the worm bed drainage water, which was dark brown and somewhat viscous, the Micro solution was medium brown.