Oganic Hydroponics

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It would seem, then, that people who wish to combine aquaculture with hydroponics should consider using fish tank water as a "starter"?an excellent basic solution in which to germinate seeds or with which to mix other organic materials?but not as a complete plant food by itself.

Lawrence D. Weiss, in the May 14, 1973 issue of The Tribal Messenger, gives us a clue as to how to mix a more complete organic hydroponic solution:

Homemade mixtures of such things as well-rotted compost and animal manure are cheap and ecological. The home farmer can experiment with different such nutrients and strengths in the water base. In this way he or she will find the combination most suitable for his or her plants and installation.

Using both fish tank water and well water, I prepared several different strengths, mixes, and types of organic solutions . in effect, making what is familiar to most organic gardeners as "manure teas". I used these various liquids to grow tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, runner beans, and pinto beans. (Most of the initial experiments were with beans.) At the same time, identical plants received a commercial hydroponic solution (Hyponex, 7-6-19).

At first, I was very "scientific" about everything: For example, I would accurately weigh out 20 grams of rabbit manure per liter of water. I soon realized, however, that such careful measurements weren't really necessary . . . and that moreover?most Americans would not bother to duplicate precise efforts of that nature anyway. (It's hard enough to persuade people to try a new gardening technique without throwing the metric system at them!) So I ended up with the following standard formula:

One small-size Quaker Oats box full of a mixture containing equal parts rabbit manure, chicken manure, earthworm castings (manure), and wood ashes.

One 20-gallon can of well water or fish tank effluent filled to within an inch of the top.

(Note: I can't honestly say I noticed any difference between the results I obtained with well water and those I obtained with fish tank water, although it stands to reason that the latter fluid would contain more nutrients. I purposely avoided rainwater, however, since it's likely to be deficient in the micro-nutrients manganese, boron, etc.?which are almost always present in ground water.)

The organic ingredients were vigorously stirred into the 20 gallons of liquid and then allowed to steep for several days (by which time all the solid particles would settle to the bottom). The resulting liquid?which was the color of a weak cup of tea—was next poured carefully into cans, while fresh water was added to the original container to make a new batch.

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