RE: The Plan Blog 5: End of Preparation Stages

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 11:36:42 GMT

I'm not completely sure if you need a bio-filter. The simple explanation for aquaponics is: Fish provide poo as fertilizer for plants, plants use fertilizer to grow and filter the water for the fish.

What the system does need, mainly, is nitrification. so the ammonia (produced by the fish) is converted to nitrates. Next to nitrification you'll have other bacteria that will convert other molecules into minerals that the plants will then use to grow. Hence...the plants filter the water.

Here's a link to a more in-depth explanation about nitrification in aquaponics.

This nitrification and other processes can happen in the fish tank and the grow bed, but they can also happen in an intermediate part between the fish tank and the plant-grow bed (where you can create even better conditions for nitrification). But then still, it would not be called a bio-filter, more like a bio-converter.

Installing a bio-filter is still possible, but it would lower the efficiency and the output of your system. And really, nothing tops a beautifully working aquaponics eco-system, right? ;-)

RE: The Plan Blog 5: End of Preparation Stages

DAB — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:17:42 GMT

Quick answer would be the advantage of the PVC pipes for running wire and fluid conduits so that they were not visible.

Also I think the pipes probably have better structural integrity than most book or utility shelves I have seen.

Besides, there is nothing like PVC pipes to give it that instant I MADE THIS statement.

DAB