Aquariums keepers have been around a while, and some have highly complex systems for those more complex species. And, yes, I have been keeping livestock for come 10 years. Having obtained lots of information on growing from some very experienced growers on this and other sites, I thought it's time to give something back. So here are some quick thoughts, and they are random, and I may be wrong on their transferability to growing, but those more wise will soon say (I'm just not that experienced a grower as yet):
1. Bubbles! Okay, read lots of stuff about airstones and bubble-making in hydroponics. As a breeder of Lake Victoria Chiclids which require highly oxygenated water at higher temperatures, this was an early lesson for me. It is really easy to think that those lovely little bubbles supply the oxygen to the roots. However, any experienced aquarist will tell you that it is not the bubbles that supply the oxygen, but the surface water disturbance that the bubbles cause which is important. In basic terms, water oxygenation is directly related to water surface movement. The more water that hits the surface, the more oxygen in the water. For aquarists, a flow of water that disturbs the surface of the water (through a pump usually), is far more effective than an airstone! Also remember, the higher the temperature, the lower the oxygen as a general rule.
2. PH down. Yes, lots of chemicals out there, and aquarists use them too. There is lots of conjecture about the validity of using such chemicals with livestock. It can cause shock to fish, and maybe to plants too. A bag of 'peat moss' functions well in maintaining PH and is controllable simply through the amount in the bag. It is also more gradual than a chemical dosage. An interesting thread that explains this is www.kcfishclub.org/forum/74.../54733-ph-levels.html and there are many others. This stops fish shock, and probably will do the same for plants.
3. Final one, and it's a bit way out, and is just a thought. When we begin to keep fish, and we introduce them to a new tank set-up, we get casualties. Undue stress typically caused by the immaturity of the tank. Fish rely heavily on bacteria (culture). In a new tank, things are sterile (like the soil we purchase from distributors). We have to mature the tank in order to breed the beneficial bacteria which actually help the livestock. Typically this is done by introducing a hardy fish that can stand the maturation process. Their excrement then helps breed the bacteria which we capture in filter sponges which provide a permanent home for them. Seeing the need, manufacturers have developed ready made bottles of beneficial bacteria to introduce into new set-ups. The question is, if soil also breeds bacteria (which it will), could we manufacture this to kick-start grows?
Anyway, maybe there is nothing worthwhile here, but hope that it at least gives others that really know their growing some ideas to take things further, and hope I put something back. Thanks for all the great posts that helped me get started.
1. Bubbles! Okay, read lots of stuff about airstones and bubble-making in hydroponics. As a breeder of Lake Victoria Chiclids which require highly oxygenated water at higher temperatures, this was an early lesson for me. It is really easy to think that those lovely little bubbles supply the oxygen to the roots. However, any experienced aquarist will tell you that it is not the bubbles that supply the oxygen, but the surface water disturbance that the bubbles cause which is important. In basic terms, water oxygenation is directly related to water surface movement. The more water that hits the surface, the more oxygen in the water. For aquarists, a flow of water that disturbs the surface of the water (through a pump usually), is far more effective than an airstone! Also remember, the higher the temperature, the lower the oxygen as a general rule.
2. PH down. Yes, lots of chemicals out there, and aquarists use them too. There is lots of conjecture about the validity of using such chemicals with livestock. It can cause shock to fish, and maybe to plants too. A bag of 'peat moss' functions well in maintaining PH and is controllable simply through the amount in the bag. It is also more gradual than a chemical dosage. An interesting thread that explains this is www.kcfishclub.org/forum/74.../54733-ph-levels.html and there are many others. This stops fish shock, and probably will do the same for plants.
3. Final one, and it's a bit way out, and is just a thought. When we begin to keep fish, and we introduce them to a new tank set-up, we get casualties. Undue stress typically caused by the immaturity of the tank. Fish rely heavily on bacteria (culture). In a new tank, things are sterile (like the soil we purchase from distributors). We have to mature the tank in order to breed the beneficial bacteria which actually help the livestock. Typically this is done by introducing a hardy fish that can stand the maturation process. Their excrement then helps breed the bacteria which we capture in filter sponges which provide a permanent home for them. Seeing the need, manufacturers have developed ready made bottles of beneficial bacteria to introduce into new set-ups. The question is, if soil also breeds bacteria (which it will), could we manufacture this to kick-start grows?
Anyway, maybe there is nothing worthwhile here, but hope that it at least gives others that really know their growing some ideas to take things further, and hope I put something back. Thanks for all the great posts that helped me get started.
