Aquaponics Digest - Thu 01/08/98
Message 1: Re: replacement for gravel
from donald trotter
Message 2: Perlite/Fish System
from S & S Aqua Farm
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| Message 1 |
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Subject: Re: replacement for gravel
From: donald trotter
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 08:10:33 -0800
Hi Paula!
I love the list, and find all kinds of exciting information. THANX!
In response to your inquiry about clogging, yes certain finer grades of
perlite will clog and are a complete waste of time no matter how light and
easy it is to work woth. We use a very coarse grade of perlite which is the
same size as pea gravel and have had excellent results.
This grade of perlite once rinsed of dust has retained its drainage ability
after 12 months in our Gotu Kola and Stevia tanks. The bacteria thrive so
well that I have also used perlite in place of bio-balls in a wet/dry
filtration system on some salt water fish breeding experiments that I am
conducting.
The trick with perlite is to grow perennial crops in it so it is not often
disturbed, which may cause it to deteriorate. We have tried a few brands,
however, the product mined by W.R. Grace company and marketed under the
name Aztec Perlite here in Southern California is superior to some of the
other more common horticultural brands.
I hope that this information is useful.
Organically yours<
Don Trotter Ph.D.
The Organic Gardener's Resource Centre
fax 760.632.8175
vioce 1.888.514.4004
Email curly@mill.net or gdngods@mill.net>
To the list - received the following inquiry from John Greer - Thought I
>would repost to the list the earlier comments we had on perlite and
>potential for clogging from solids. BTW - John has a system set up in his
>high school ag program.
>
>>Date: Mon, 05 Jan 1998 17:23:39 -0800
>>From: John Greer
>>Reply-To: fju019@mail.connect.more.net
>>Organization: Pleasant Hope FFA
>>To: snsaquasys@townsqr.com
>>Subject: replacement for gravel
>>
>>Tom and Paula,
>>I was reading in your mailroom and came across the article about
>>perlite. Would perlite work as a replacement for the gravel in the
>>growing beds in our system?
>>thanks
>>John
>
>John - Tom comments that perlite can clog from solids, resulting in poor
>drainage. Earlier posts follow.
>
>>At 03:19 PM 12/2/97 -0800, Donald Trotter wrote:
>>>>Hi george!
>>>Have you considered PERLITE? It is being used al over the world in
>>>hydroponics and sooilless applications.
>>
>>Donald -
>>
>>Thanks for the detailed post on perlite.
>>
>>With you experience, do you feel that perlite has a tendency to clog with
>>solids, or does it retain its drainage capabilities even after extended
>>use.
>>
>>Can bacteria thrive in this media (good bacteria, of course, needing lots of
>>oxygen for healthy systems)?
>>
>>Would be interested in your comments.
>>
>>Paula Speraneo
>>S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
>>Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
>>
>
>
>>Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 13:47:28 -0500
>>To: aquaponics-digest-request@townsqr.com
>>From: George Kunkel
>>Subject: Perlite
>>Bcc: gkunkel@cris.com
>>
>>This is to both thank everyone who helped with info re my spinach - media
>questions and to tap you're additional expertise re: perlite. I use this
>extensively in my pot tomato and pepper etc etc culture. It has wonderful
>properties. I was however informed that over time in such a setting that
>perlite will continue to compact. Not a problem for one-season crops, but a
>potential big problem for multi year crops[roses]. With that warning, I
>talked to manufacturers of the stuff looking for larger size[ pebble size
>and up] and was told that if I needed a train car load they would do it
>special. I am still with out any as I grow only 200 rose plants. Any
>thoughts? Any volcanic products from the West? Same concerns ; costs and
>shipping to Pennsylvania. Thank you all once again George Kunkel
>>
>
>
>I've not reposted Donald Trotter's earlier long post on perlite, but can if
>any of you have missed it.
>
>Paula
>
>
>
>S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
>Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
Donald Trotter
The Organic Resource Centre
293 Neptune Ave.
Encinitas, CA. 92024
curly@mill.net
1.888.514.4004
fax- 760.632.8175
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| Message 2 |
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Subject: Perlite/Fish System
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 1998 19:07:53 -0600
At 08:10 AM 1/2/98 -0800, Donald Trotter wrote:
>Hi Paula!
>
>I love the list, and find all kinds of exciting information. THANX!
>
>In response to your inquiry about clogging, yes certain finer grades of
>perlite will clog and are a complete waste of time no matter how light and
>easy it is to work woth. We use a very coarse grade of perlite which is the
>same size as pea gravel and have had excellent results.
>
>This grade of perlite once rinsed of dust has retained its drainage ability
>after 12 months in our Gotu Kola and Stevia tanks. The bacteria thrive so
>well that I have also used perlite in place of bio-balls in a wet/dry
>filtration system on some salt water fish breeding experiments that I am
>conducting.
>
>The trick with perlite is to grow perennial crops in it so it is not often
>disturbed, which may cause it to deteriorate. We have tried a few brands,
>however, the product mined by W.R. Grace company and marketed under the
>name Aztec Perlite here in Southern California is superior to some of the
>other more common horticultural brands.
>
>I hope that this information is useful.
>
>Organically yours<
>Don Trotter Ph.D.
>The Organic Gardener's Resource Centre
>fax 760.632.8175
>vioce 1.888.514.4004
>Email curly@mill.net or gdngods@mill.net>
Don - thanks for the clarification and sources. This list has been a great
benefit to us as well.
Can you elaborate a little on your fish/perlite experiments? Would love to
learn more about what you're doing.
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
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