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[noun] | From the Greek words hydro (water) and ponos (labour) is a

method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of

soil. Plants may be grown with their roots in the

mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium,

such as perlite, perlite/vermiculite, expanded clay

or rock-wool. A variety of techniques exist.

Soil-less culture is a broader term than

hydroponics; it only requires that no soils

with clay or silt are used.

Most greenhouse plants grown world wide grow in hydroponics or soil-less methods.

Why hydroponics?• Saves on nutrients, space and

water compared to soil growing;• Plants grow faster and healthier;• Avoids soil borne bacteria and

diseases, such as phytopthora, rhizoctonia and soil nematodes;

• Light weight growing media makes large pots easier to move;

• Grow media is recyclable, sustainable and environmentally friendly;

• Avoids soil compaction and toxicity and aerates the roots;

• Uses natural minerals or organic nutrients with perfect pH each time;

• Recycling nutrient systems avoid contamination of underground aquifers;

• Less bending, no digging, no weeds, more control, more success;

• All year round food production;

• Ideal for seed raising and vertical gardens.

The basics1. Grow your own

herbs or vegetables by seeding directly into Cultilene rockwool. Or wash potting mix off punnet seedlings and plant now.

2. Choose your pot, tub or grow bed tray.

3. Choose a hydroponic growing media.

4. Choose Ag-Grow Grow and Bloom nutrient.

5. pH Up / Down and a test kit is recommended.

6. Once seeds in rockwool have germinated, plant directly into your growing media.

Many types of hydroponic media and nutrients

are available

A pH test kit is recommended

Nutrient SolutionsMost are two part A+B, designed with strength and purity in mind such as Canna, Dutch Master, Dutch Fest and Nulife. However a simple, strong and complete single part nutrient such as Ag-Grow Grow and Bloom is ideal for beginners. Ag-Grow Grow is nitrogen bias for root, stem and leaf development. Ag-Grow Bloom is phosphorus

and potassium bias for enhanced flower and fruiting. Basically use Ag-Grow Grow for green leafy vegetables like lettuce, Asian greens, celery, cabbage etc, as well as during the growing phase of tomatoes, chillies, strawberries, cucumbers and capsicums. Use Ag-Grow Bloom for the flowering and fruiting phase of tomatoes, chillies, strawberries, cucumbers and capsicums.Tip - shake nutrient concentrate very well before use. Use rain or filtered water where possible. Nutrient solutions are graded from agricultural through to pharmaceutical levels at the high-end, on the basis of their purity and low amounts of residual sediments.

Nutrient Boosters and pH SolutionsOrganic nutrients, mineral boosters and vitamin additives such as Monsta Bud, Boost Juice and PK 13-14 will enhance yields. Monsta Bud is made from seaweed extract, bees wax and alfalfa with carbon containing humic and fulvic acids. Boost Juice includes vitamin B1 and metabolites. PK 13-14 is a phosphorus and potassium booster used during the flowering phase. Organic nutrients such as Guano - bat and seagull manure and worm castings are available from Aquaponics WA.pH up and down and pH test kits are used to optimise nutrient pH at between 5.8 and 6.5. pH varies from water source - tap, rain or filtered.

Growing MediaThe two most successful mediums for recirculating systems are Expanded Clay and Perlite. Expanded Clay from Liaflor in Germany is a porous, light weight, earthy clay aggregate. It’s durable and has exceptional capillary properties. It’s reusable and lasts for years.Perlite is a volcanic mineral, when heated explodes like popcorn. Very light, sterile and pH neutral.Coco Peat is a natural substance sourced from the husk of the coconut fruit, aged and refined to remove salts. It is suited for run to waste systems and is replaced at crop harvest time. Aquaponics WA Coco Peat is also perfectly suited to worm farms.

Hydroponic SystemsAn “Open” or “Run to Waste” hydroponic system applies fresh nutrient solution manually 2-3 times daily with a 15-20% run off. Coco Peat in 30-50L pots hand watered is a perfect example.A “Closed” or “Recirculating System” recycles the nutrient solution through the growing medium and back into the nutrient tank via a pump. The solution can be continuously or intermittently supplied then dumped each week. Expanded Clay, Perlite and Perlite/Vermiculite is typically used.

Visit our display centre for expert advice: Hydroponic Xpress and Aquaponics WA 295 Warton Road, Canning Vale WA 6155Freecall 1800 640 222 or Phone 08 9455 2133Visit hydroponicxpress.com.au | aquaponicswa.com.au

Seedling in expanded clay

9 327719 007597

Aquaponics is a soil-less recirculating system combining hydroponics - the growing of food plants in water, and aquaculture - growing edible fish in ponds or tanks. The plants take up waste from the fish as nutrient. This cleans the water so the fish can survive and thrive.

Growing Edible Fish and Vegetables at Home

Why Aquaponics?Being able to harvest fresh barramundi, trout, silver perch, freshwater marron or yabbies as well as fresh, pesticide-free vegetables, herbs and fruit from your own garden is very rewarding for adults and children alike. This is a very water efficient, organic chemical-free way of growing food. Food can be produced year round and aquaponics systems can be readily sized to fit into a home garden or even a balcony.

Is Aquaponics Time Consuming?All systems in which you grow fish and crustaceans need to be checked daily for feeding and general health. Automatic fish feeders are available. After setting the system up, the main work is regular harvesting of your fresh organic produce.

Aquaponics CoursesIntroduction courses are available. Refer to our web site for details.

aquaponicswa.com.au | Freecall 1800 640 222

forFISHSale

Subject to Season

Barramundi

Trout

Silver Perch

Growing tipsExpanded Clay: German quality Liaflor Expanded Clay is a naturally occurring clay mined, mixed with wood, pelletised and fired in a rotary kiln at 1200°C. The secret to its filtration qualities is its incredible internal surface area, whereby the bacteria for the nitrogen cycle can flourish exponentially. Liaflor is germ-free, pH neutral and chemical and biologically neutral. Liaflor is Eco-friendly, non-polluting of the environment and can be reused for 20 years!Water temperatures: This has a significant influence on the types of fish or crustaceans grown. Cold water (below 20°C) suits trout and marron. Warm water (above 20°C) is essential for barramundi and desirable for silver perch, Murray cod, jade perch, yabby and black bream. In Perth its possible to grow trout in winter then harvest and replace

with barramundi for the summer months. All year round edibles include silver perch, jade perch, black bream, marron and yabby. Ornamental fish such as goldfish and Koi can

also be grown and enjoyed all year round. Water quality and testing: Start ideally with rainwater or reverse osmosis filtered water. If using scheme water leave for at least 24 hours for

chlorine to dissipate. Once running it’s recommended that you test daily for

ammonia, nitrate and nitrate as well as pH. Test once a week only after the system has settled down.

Deficiencies: Plants with yellow leaves. Usually this means that you have insufficient manure in the system, add more fish. High nitrate test results mean that more plants are needed. Fish food: Aim for commercial grade floating fish food that does not contain any land based animal by-products. Available from 1-11mm size in 500g, 5kg and 20kg bag sizes.Starting plants: Vegetable and herb plants can be started from seed planted into Cultilene rockwool cubes. Once germinated these cubes can be placed directly into the expanded clay media in the grow bed. If introducing packaged seedlings to your system you need to wash potting mix off the roots.

What will you need?• Herb or vegetable seeds, or

seedlings with roots washed of potting mix

• Cultilene rockwool cubes for starting your own seeds

• Fish tank or pond needs to be food grade plastics, minimum size 500 litres – beware of chemical residues

• Grow bed or tray – volume for media around half that of fish tank, minimum 250 litres

• German quality Liaflor expanded clay grow bed media

• Submersible pond pump• Air pump and air stones• Plumbing kit –pipe and fittings• Fish fingerlings or juvenile

crustaceans • 5 in 1 Freshwater Testing Kit• A pond thermometer • Pond Bacteria 22.5g sachet• Complete Water Treatment 90g

The IBC from Aquaponics WA is a great DIY option

Visit our display centre for expert advice: Hydroponic Xpress and Aquaponics WA 295 Warton Road, Canning Vale WA 6155Freecall 1800 640 222 or Phone 08 9455 2133Visit hydroponicxpress.com.au | aquaponicswa.com.au 9 327719 000758

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