Aquaponic Plant Requirements

60 elements found in plants 16 considered essential Macro and Micro Elements Mobile or Immobile Elements

Essential Elements

Macro◦ - N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg

Micro◦ - Fe, Cl, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, Mo

Macro and Micro Nutrients

Carbon C Component of all organic compounds

Oxygen O Supplied by air and water

Hydrogen H Combines with oxygen to form water

Nitrogen N Part of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins

Phosporus P Used in photosynthesis and almost all aspects of growth

Potassium K Activates enzymes, used in formation of sugar and starch

Calcium Ca Used in cell growth and division, part of cell wall

Magnesium Mg Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes

Sulfur S Part of amino acids and proteins

Macronutrients-Needed in Large Amounts

Boron B Affects reproduction

Chlorine Cl Aids in root growth

Copper Cu Used in chlorophyll, activates enzymes

Iron Fe Used in photosynthesis

Manganese Mn Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes

Sodium Na Used for water movement

Zinc Zn Part of enzymes, used in auxins

Molybdenum Mo Used in nitrogen fixation

Nickel Nl Liberates nitrogen

Cobalt Co Fixates nitrogen

Silicon Sl Makes tougher cell walls:Enhances heat and drought resistance.

Micronutrients are required in trace amounts

Mobile◦ Mg, P, K, Zn, N◦ Can be translocated, from older leaves to younger

leaves; deficiency symptoms appear on bottom of plant on older leaves

Immobile◦ Ca, Fe, S, B, Cu, Mn◦ Deficiency symptoms appear on upper plant,

young leaves first

Mobile and Immobile Elements

Mineralization

TDS – EC – CF – PPM Aquaponics vs. Hydroponics Remember pH Interactions

Nutrient Strength And Availability

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

62-779 (1200)

Ca 10-82 (150)

Mg 0.7-12.9 (50)

K 0.3-192 (150)

No3-N 0.4-82 (115)

PO4-P 0.4-15 (50)

SO4-S 0-23 (113)

Rakocy vs Resh-Aquaponics vs Hydroponics

Fe 0.03-4.3 (5.0)

Mn 0.01-0.19 (0.5)

Cu 0.01-0.11 (0.3)

Zn 0.11-0.8 (0.05)

B 0.01-0.23 (0.5)

Mo 0-0.17 (0.05)

Rakocy vs Resh-Aquaponics vs Hydroponics

Light Oxygen Supplements Temperature Adequate Plant Spacing Adequate Support And Protection Pruning And Training

Other Requirements

pH Interactions Add Base carefully and gradually so as not to burn fish

and plants Nitrate Regulation-Clean out net filter tank 1x week for

fruiting and 2 x week for high levels of nitrate – the more you clean the net filter tanks, the more active nitrification you will get. Cleaning these tanks regularly with non chlorinated water also reduces risk of pathogens in the water.

DON’T USE CHLORINATED WATER STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP. AGE TAPWATER 48 HOURS IN OPEN TANK BEFORE USE. CHLORAMINED TAPWATER REQUIRES RO FILTRATION AS DOES FLUORIDATED TAPWATER.

Favor the Plants if Necessary-they are the profit line.

Remember!