Aquarium water=fish emulsion?

GreatwhiteNorth

Global Moderator
Staff member
could you elaborate on your setup, you are using a hot organic soil mix correct, and do you have a filter in your aquarium, are perhaps lazy and never clean it, and or the rocks creating a natural bio filter without you knowing it?
possible? I have A pond and a river both have good water but nethier is anything close to a strong enough solution for hydroponics.
I don't know what a hot soil mix is, but I am using subcools super soil recipe with a few more ingredients, nothing really special but it seems to work very well. I do have two exterior filters on the tank and a well seasoned biological bed circulated with two (225 gph each) power heads pulling through the undergravel filters. I don't clean the gravel more than a couple times a year & the fish/aquarium plants & MJ plants flourish. When watering I use around 15 gallons weekly (currently, more later in flower) and the water changes seems to keep things balanced nicely.
So that's what I have going - and it seems to work for me.
GWN
 

fallinghigh

Well-Known Member
1) I don't know what a hot soil mix is, but I am using subcools super soil recipe ....
2)I do have two exterior filters on the tank and a well seasoned biological bed circulated ...undergravel filters. I don't clean the gravel more than a couple times a year .....GWN
1) A "hot" soil means it already is loaded with organics for a feeding regimen lasting usually the first 2 months of the veg cycle and yes with the worm castings, guano, bone meal and such you have a "hot" soil. Worm casting also is loaded with beneficial bacteria which will develop cultures in the soil and convert nitrogen along with many other cool little things.

2) I don't understand why you posted against my post when it appears you know and have an established bio-filter. Meaning you are not watering with pure consitrated goldfish poo out of a fish bowl with no gravel and watering it into say a coco medium or a soil that is composed of little to no natural nutrients, as I assume is relevant to the post, as for he stated the plants were do for there first feeding"nitrogen deficiency".

P.S. your system looks very cool...Could you elaborate on res tank size in gal, fish numbers and type of fish, ppm of water used, and any other supplementals that many have been added to the res or to the water afterwords

turtles do carry salmonella.. carfull with that...if you didn't know you might want to look it up.
 

retardigraded

Active Member
there has been some good responses in here I would just like to add my 2 cents in, fk it2 dimes cause I can make it fkn rhyme.

Aquaponics has a few steps

1) fish shits high in nitrate not good for plants

2) fish shit water goes through a living bio filter

3) beneficial bacteria in the biofilter convert nitrates to nitrites good for plants (may be visa versa, but i am no scientist) but it is nitrogen conversion that is taking place in the biofilter

4) gold fish and some other types of fish may contain salmonella, a type of fish called tilapia is often used, do to its high resistance to "shity water" and they can be packed in there tight

the main thing is that without a biofilter you will be feeding your plants ammonia basically
If you have an established aquarium you will not have ammonia or nitrite (The cycle is ammonia>nitrite>nitrate, with different species of bacteria contributing to each step) unless something fucked up happened like a fish died. It's true that most nitration takes place in the biofilter, but beneficial bacteria in your aquarium stick to all surfaces in your tank. There are just much more in your filter because the water is more oxygenated and there is plenty of surface area in your filter media for them to colonize. Ammonia waste from your fish's bloodstream is excreted continuously through the gills, meaning that your fish won't suddenly piss in the water and raise the ammonia if you have a very small tank. In an established aquarium where the bacteria population is enough to support the life of your fish, there is very close to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites because they are converted almost instantly by bacteria as they are produced. When a fish dies, suddenly there is more ammonia than the population of bacteria is used to so the ammonia level spikes, the ammonia converting bacteria consume it slowly and reproduce, convert it to nitrite, then the nitrite converting bacteria do the same thing until the chemicals are converted to nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite are both very toxic to fish (nitrate is also toxic, but significantly less so), so if it is present in your tank at all you will likely see a difference in your fish's behavior: flashing, clamped fins, swimming close to the bottom or top, etc.

Google says plants can absorb a little ammonia and nitrite, but in larger amounts it will be toxic. So if your fish seem unhealthy in any way, don't put the water on your plants!

I am not sure what level nitrates have to be to ensure plants do not get burned. No two websites seem to be able to agree on it. Some say the nitrogen is very low and there is no way you can burn your plants, others say the opposite. So I can't help you there :(

I'm *almost* a scientist, I'm gettin my bachelor's in ecology and evolutionary biology next year, but most of my knowledge here just comes from owning lots of aquariums over the past few years. Killing a tank full of fish will teach you about the nitrogen cycle REAL quick, I learned that when I first started out :dunce:
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
PEACE. I was reading up on this thread and realized that you all hae gone above and beyond the call. I was only talking about using fish tank water and you all just started in with the science lessons. I really appreciate the knowledge and I will look into the things that are being shared but at the time I am only using the fish tank water out of a fish bowl with some colored pebbles on the bottom and that is about it. I have no pump or anything in there and i only have one Betta male fish in there. I don't use it straight but in the thread someone says that you can. I add half gallon of water to the half gallon that I get out of the bowl. Couple that with the SUPERthrive and molasses and then I water. I have only used it once and it hasn't really done anything but it hasn't gotten worse either. I will let you all know my success or failure with it but at the time there is no marked change in the plant that I used it on.

Retardigraded good luck on the masters and thatnks for the help.

:leaf::leaf:PEACE:leaf::leaf:
 

qptyqpty

Active Member
I think in this case any effect would probably be minimal, other than your betta getting the much needed change in water.

As an aside, betaa fish are sold in those little cups and that is actually kinda shitty. They can be found in the shallow depths of mud holes and typhoon-flooded wheel-ruts in thailand and can breathe out of water, sometimes for days, due to labyrinthine organ that gives em ability to breathe both dissolved and atmospheric oxygen. Shippers take advantage of the little needs of this fish as does the salesfloor.

Go spend 10 bucks on a 10 gallon fishtank, or maybe 2 at a garage sale, feed it some type of fish food with a lot of carotinoids that isnt tetra brand. ;) Your little friend will really perk up and you only have to dump 2/3 the water every month for just one fish.

All plants and animals should get the same care as you would afford yourself, it's only right. =)

BLACKMESSIAH7 im giving you rep just for the avatar for multiple reasons, one being I like the AK.


retardigraded you get rep for good, solid knowledge. Hard to find people who actually know this much about fish. i'll bet you could breed discus and manage a tridacna/sps marine setup ;)
 

retardigraded

Active Member
Been awhile since I've checked this thread, but thanks for all the rep and stuff! I really wish I had discus and marine aquariums, but I move just about every year so I've opted for cheaper, hardier fish. I'm down to one 55 gal with some big angelfish and one 29 gal with livebearers. Used to be more but my interests have moved on to horticulture, hehe :)

More on topic though: I've been playing with making fish poo tea (instead of guano tea). I take the brown poopy water siphoned from my gravel, mix it with 1 or 2 teaspoons of molasses and aerate for 24 hours. I alternate this tea with tea made from high N mexican bat guano for my vegging plants. So far I don't see much difference but I've only done it a couple of times. I guess the main advantage is that if you keep the water aerated you can store it longer without it starting to stink.
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
I think in this case any effect would probably be minimal, other than your betta getting the much needed change in water.

As an aside, betaa fish are sold in those little cups and that is actually kinda shitty. They can be found in the shallow depths of mud holes and typhoon-flooded wheel-ruts in thailand and can breathe out of water, sometimes for days, due to labyrinthine organ that gives em ability to breathe both dissolved and atmospheric oxygen. Shippers take advantage of the little needs of this fish as does the salesfloor.

Go spend 10 bucks on a 10 gallon fishtank, or maybe 2 at a garage sale, feed it some type of fish food with a lot of carotinoids that isnt tetra brand. ;) Your little friend will really perk up and you only have to dump 2/3 the water every month for just one fish.

All plants and animals should get the same care as you would afford yourself, it's only right. =)

BLACKMESSIAH7 im giving you rep just for the avatar for multiple reasons, one being I like the AK.


retardigraded you get rep for good, solid knowledge. Hard to find people who actually know this much about fish. i'll bet you could breed discus and manage a tridacna/sps marine setup ;)


PEACE qptyqpty. Thanks for the rep and the interest. This thread is for the knowledge and it has lived up to it's creator's idea (me:lol:). I have been trying it out for a minute and I don't see much results. Maybe I am too far off but it is worth it to learn what I can and can't do. As for the avatar, it's entitled (by me) ameriKKKa's WORST NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!

I as I am sure others on this thread and who view it are very appreciative of you as well as the others who have shared their knowledge and kept it simple and still intelligent. I would rep you but it says I have to spread it around first....next time, friend. BE SAFE AND KEEP IT GREEN.

:leaf::leaf:PEACE:leaf::leaf:


Been awhile since I've checked this thread, but thanks for all the rep and stuff! I really wish I had discus and marine aquariums, but I move just about every year so I've opted for cheaper, hardier fish. I'm down to one 55 gal with some big angelfish and one 29 gal with livebearers. Used to be more but my interests have moved on to horticulture, hehe :)

More on topic though: I've been playing with making fish poo tea (instead of guano tea). I take the brown poopy water siphoned from my gravel, mix it with 1 or 2 teaspoons of molasses and aerate for 24 hours. I alternate this tea with tea made from high N mexican bat guano for my vegging plants. So far I don't see much difference but I've only done it a couple of times. I guess the main advantage is that if you keep the water aerated you can store it longer without it starting to stink.
PEACE retardigraded..Good to see you on the thread still. As qptyqpty had stated you are a wealth of knowledge and you have been most helpful in me getting a grip on understanding said subject. i have tried to use the water and I have had no results at all +/- so I don't really know if it works yet. I have started some schwagg beans to go 12/12 from seed and I will water them with the fish water exclusively from the beginning. That way i will get a test of what it can and can't do (I got a load of schwagg beans unfortunately because the money has been tight and that's the only value although it really isn't cause it takes TOO MUCH to get me high). When they all pop I will have an experiment going with them with half getting fish water and the others getting none. it will also be to see if I can get a good yield (albiet not large or even medium) off of the plants that I 12/12 from the beginning. I have read that a brother named PITBUDZ on here had done such and it netted him a half each plant (read his words not mine......). I have 20 germing and one has been up for a few days, so I would like to see what I can get and if it is 1/2 each I should be set for a minute on those. I don't know how you all do the emulsion or fish water, but this is my fish and the BOWL that it is in.


:leaf::leaf:PEACE:leaf::leaf:
 

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retardigraded

Active Member
Thanks, and nice to see that you doing a controlled experiment! I subscribed to this thread. You may wanna pick up a nitrate test at your pet store (or ebay, prolly cheaper there) just to get an idea of what your water is like if you haven't already. The paper strip type tests aren't as accurate, but they're cheaper and will still do the job. Also you could just take a little glass to your pet store if you think you are diluting the nitrates with too many water changes, they'll test your shit for free.

Are you gonna fertilize your control group with anything, or are you just gonna use plain water? I would suggest using normal fertilizer for your control since any fertilizer is probably better than none :)
 

retardigraded

Active Member
Thanks, and nice to see that you doing a controlled experiment! I subscribed to this thread. You may wanna pick up a nitrate test at your pet store (or ebay, prolly cheaper there) just to get an idea of what your water is like if you haven't already. The paper strip type tests aren't as accurate, but they're cheaper and will still do the job. Also you could just take a little glass to your pet store if you think you are diluting the nitrates with too many water changes, they'll test your shit for free.

Are you gonna fertilize your control group with anything, or are you just gonna use plain water? I would suggest using normal fertilizer for your control since any fertilizer is probably better than none :)
 

dura72

Well-Known Member
great thread guys, i just peaked in for a look and ended up with a science lesson! first goddam science lesson i ever enjoyed. gonna have a lie down now coz i got fish swimmin throw the grow in my head.
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
Thanks, and nice to see that you doing a controlled experiment! I subscribed to this thread. You may wanna pick up a nitrate test at your pet store (or ebay, prolly cheaper there) just to get an idea of what your water is like if you haven't already. The paper strip type tests aren't as accurate, but they're cheaper and will still do the job. Also you could just take a little glass to your pet store if you think you are diluting the nitrates with too many water changes, they'll test your shit for free.

Are you gonna fertilize your control group with anything, or are you just gonna use plain water? I would suggest using normal fertilizer for your control since any fertilizer is probably better than none :)
PEACE. I still haven't decided yet because they are still small and not near time to water or fert as of yet. I started with 20 and only 8 popped so I had to modify the experiment. Basically they went to the dark after day one and the oldest is 8 days old. Since I watered the cups well in the begining when I sowed them I am not going to have a water issue for a few more days. At that time I will give them the water that I have had in a plastic milk gallon container (it's okay still after a few weeks?right:?) and then I will wait to see. Since I will only have possibly 4 girls, I will have to change the plan. Since I just put in a new order for some beans, I hadn't thought about doing much with these accept finding the best way to grow them and get a decent yield within tight quarters.

Still going to keep the idea about the fish water as I am still saving it in gallon jugs. BTW is that acceptible or should it always be "fresh" by at least a day or two? I have a couple of bottles and there's no need for it yet so I'm safe for now but can I use it or would you suggest getting new water each time? Thanks for the anticipated reply....

:joint::joint:PEACE:joint::joint:
 

retardigraded

Active Member
I think you might wanna consider giving normal ferts to your control group, just in case the fish tank water doesn't work well. If you have a group that you gave normal ferts to then at least you will get some decent plants from your control group so it won't be a total waste of time. Otherwise, if fish water doesn't work well then you'd have shitty fish water plants in one group and shitty unfertilized plants in the other, which would be depressing.

The problem with storing dechlorinated water is bacterial contamination and such (not fertilizer molecules breaking down). You can probably keep it in a closet or somewhere for awhile if you keep it oxygenated with an aquarium bubbler ($6 at walmart), since these bacteria need the an environment with no oxygen to survive (fyi this is the opposite of what your nitrogenating bacteria need). You can keep it for even longer if you just put it in your fridge though. btw, make sure you remember to let it come to room temperature before giving it to your plants! :shock:

Also, make sure you don't get a lot of algae growing in your water if you've had some out for awhile. In fact, if you have an algae problem in your tank (a little is ok) those little guys will be the ones using the nitrates in your water for fertilizer. Good for your fish, but not as good for your plants!
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
I think you might wanna consider giving normal ferts to your control group, just in case the fish tank water doesn't work well. If you have a group that you gave normal ferts to then at least you will get some decent plants from your control group so it won't be a total waste of time. Otherwise, if fish water doesn't work well then you'd have shitty fish water plants in one group and shitty unfertilized plants in the other, which would be depressing.

The problem with storing dechlorinated water is bacterial contamination and such (not fertilizer molecules breaking down). You can probably keep it in a closet or somewhere for awhile if you keep it oxygenated with an aquarium bubbler ($6 at walmart), since these bacteria need the an environment with no oxygen to survive (fyi this is the opposite of what your nitrogenating bacteria need). You can keep it for even longer if you just put it in your fridge though. btw, make sure you remember to let it come to room temperature before giving it to your plants! :shock:

Also, make sure you don't get a lot of algae growing in your water if you've had some out for awhile. In fact, if you have an algae problem in your tank (a little is ok) those little guys will be the ones using the nitrates in your water for fertilizer. Good for your fish, but not as good for your plants!
PEACE RETARDIGRADED, As always great advice and opinions to grow on. I will try to get a good experiment going to put the theories to rest. I appreciate you taking the time to do the research that you have done as well as the personal experience. You have been most helpful. HOW'S THE COLLEGE THING GOING? I TRUST YOU ARE NOT WASTING YOUR TIME ON HERE AND NOT STUDYING:shock:

BE SAFE AND KEEP STUDYING

:joint::joint:PEACE:joint::joint:
 

hydrohead

Member
There is a very large aquaculture industry where I live. Aquaculture is mainly fish farming, like growing fish in tanks etc, anyway most of the fresh water fish farms use there run off and waste water and channel it through pipes, dilute it etc and it comes out as a top quality nutrient and a lot of the fish farms now are running parallel hydroponic tomato and lettuces etc. So yeah I think if you could get it all right you would be golden.
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
There is a very large aquaculture industry where I live. Aquaculture is mainly fish farming, like growing fish in tanks etc, anyway most of the fresh water fish farms use there run off and waste water and channel it through pipes, dilute it etc and it comes out as a top quality nutrient and a lot of the fish farms now are running parallel hydroponic tomato and lettuces etc. So yeah I think if you could get it all right you would be golden.
PEACE. Thanks for the input. I am trying to get this into study and see what are the benefits in using the water on the plants. I hope to find great results that I can share. Thanks for the input and welcome to RIU "stranger":bigjoint: Here's some rep to help get you off that status:joint::joint::leaf::leaf:

:leaf::leaf:PEACE:leaf::leaf:
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
Cute fishtank :) I would stay away from aquarium water though, it might just mess up the ph. Plus the ammonia content.

PEACE. THANKS FOR THE REPLY AND INPUT. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I STARTED THIS FOR .....TO GET OTHERS OPINIONS AND TRY IT OUT AS AN EXPERIMENT. PLUS REP FOR YOUR INPUT....I WILL CONSIDER SUCH AS WELL

:joint::joint:PEACE:joint::joint:
 

retardigraded

Active Member
it might just mess up the ph. Plus the ammonia content.
If you have a healthy aquarium there will be no measurable amount of ammonia. Also you can adjust the pH after you pull it from your aquarium.

Finals week is next week. I am a horrible procrastinator, but this time I can't afford to do it. I smoked the last of my weed on sunday so I wouldn't be tempted. ARGH i wanna get hiiiiiigh... :(
 

BLACKMESSIAH7

Well-Known Member
If you have a healthy aquarium there will be no measurable amount of ammonia. Also you can adjust the pH after you pull it from your aquarium.

Finals week is next week. I am a horrible procrastinator, but this time I can't afford to do it. I smoked the last of my weed on sunday so I wouldn't be tempted. ARGH i wanna get hiiiiiigh... :(
Well get a handle on it and get to the books. You need to get their education in order to get into THEIR offices in order to change anything! I pullin for ya kid, ;-)>>>>>NOW GET TO WORK:cuss:. You'll have plenty of time to get high later when it is THE TIME. NOW'S THE TIME TO BUCKLE DOWN.

STUDY HARD AND BE SAFE

:idea::idea:PEACE:idea::idea: No leaf so there's no temptation from me, LOL.
 
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