Algae in Aquaponics

A major issue many beginning aquaponic hobbyists and commercial growers run into is algae adversely affecting their systems. [Read more: blog.brightagrotech.com/algae-...] In this video, ZipGrow inventor Nate Storey, Ph.D gives you an overview of how algae grows in your system, how it affects your system negatively and a SECRET tip for thwarting algae in it's tracks.
Find out more about ZipGrow towers (with excellent algae filtration): zipgrow.com

[@MortifiedU]

Very glad you did not edit the filtration spelling part. Just shows your genius, keep the audience interested. Was very well planned and executed.

[@major751]

Thank you so much for all of your videos. I'm learning so much and have nearly finished building a 5000litre system in New Zealand. Looking forward to your next update. Cheers :)

[@scariasebastian5347]

Thanks Nate for sharing your knowledge.Well explained and interesting.Please keep going....

[@ZipGrowInc]

You're welcome, Scaria Sebastian! New video coming out tomorrow and a new series starting today!

[@easttowest2883]

Very informative. Keep them videos coming.....educate the world!

[@mossconfig]

3:03 is golden

[@ZipGrowInc]

+Nick McRae stuff happens!

[@walterbunn280]

For the record, Humic acid is the main component of worm castings.

[@Oniworrior]

i have white slime on the root, is it some type of algae?

[@JeezMrGarnett]

If you darken your water, how can you do water testing that depends on a color key?

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hey Rick Garnett - Sorry for the delay! Just saw your comment from a few weeks back. Your other tests should be fine, unless you're using way more humic acid than you need. Best of luck and happy growing! - Nate

[@acsaquaponics4522]

so this humic acid. is this what happens to river waters that have like a red tint? great video. keep them coming.

[@blainehall8920]

I make my own fish food, hopefully it is OK for the fish (I am growing tilapia). I use the green waste from the cafeteria at the University. I try to use as much broccoli or cauliflower stems as possible. I grind up the vegetables and dry them in my solar oven, then I grind them again. When I feed my fish with this product it tends to make the water brown just like in your video. The fish don't seem to mind it, but the tanks are not as aesthetically appealing as clear water. I was going to try to make pellets from the ground up dried vegetables, but what you are saying makes me tend to stay with the system I am using. Am I wrong or should I go with the pellets?

[@leoindrayana4724]

Can we use tea?

[@GaryWRose]

What amount for a 5 gal. aeroponics bucket?, thx

[@harshavardhanbabburi1643]

what about using the copper sulphate (cuso4) solution for controlling the algae growth...

[@Johnny_Benson]

Love you brother man! Thanks for the info!!!!!

[@ZipGrowInc]

David, UV filters are great, but you'll have to add a little more chelated iron than you normally do.

[@homefarmideas]

+Bright Agrotech, any idea how much more? I use UV at the moment:)

[@padmasurya3162]

Sir, Can we use tamarind juice instead which is also brown in color. And contains tartaric acid. Thanks

[@homefarmideas]

Good info Bright Agrotech:) I had a thought while I was watching this... If I used FeEDDHA wouldn't that "shade" the water as well? Just a thought bro.

[@ZipGrowInc]

+Home Farm Ideas Thanks and glad it's helpful. Yes it would shade it a bit!

[@homefarmideas]

I am just looking for a reason to keep my FeEDDHA;) Ha ha ha! I like seeing into my tanks but I was thinking this would be another option for your subs.

[@BALLAD911]

What happens to pH when we add Humic acid to water?

[@thracianx]

What are your thoughts on using bottom feeders like plecostomus to reduce algae?

[@mycominer]

Plecos are not algae eaters. They will eat it when they are starving, but they do not prefer it.

[@walterbunn280]

Ehh.... the video is mostly about microalgae, which occurs at all levels in an aquaponics system. As you noted, pleco are bottom feeders, meaning they only eat the stuff at the bottom of the tank, and they prefer algae/plant matter that's clumped together. That means they miss a lot of the microalgae floating in the higher parts of the water, where it's taking up the valuable nutrients.

[@mhaas88]

As a scientist (in another field), I appreciate your scientific explanations. Though I realize that they are simplified for the laypublic I can appreciate the similarities between our chosen disciplines.

[@heeradevipatangay7023]

Hi, I have just started my first IBC aquaponics system and i see a green moss type growth in my grow beds. I havent planted many saplings yet and have around 15 fingerlings in the fish tank. However my tank water is clean and the swirl filter is working well to take out the fish poop, Is this green moss type growth good or bad? Should i leave it or get rid of it? If I have to get rid of it, what do i need to do? looking for your advise. Thanks!

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hey +Heeradevi Patangay If you have algae growing on the surface of your grow bed it means your water level is too high in your bed.

[@heeradevipatangay7023]

Hi Thanks!! I will reduce the water level and observe for the change. Thanks for ur advise.

[@ZipGrowInc]

+Heeradevi Patangay Happy to help!

[@josephfields2332]

Excellent Teacher ! Thanks for sharing A+

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hello Joseph, you are very welcome, glad you liked it!

[@azharosman5752]

If anybody is still here to respond. Im new to aquaponics but have some experience in Aquaculture... is there any space for biofloc aquaculture in aquaponics? Or is it counterintuitive when trying to cultivate plants

[@christoff124]

hmm no uv filter?

[@scottyoshi]

was this a hint towards a new video on humic acids?

[@ZipGrowInc]

I'll probably do one at some point. Too much to cover, too little time. . .

[@chrisshepherd4228]

What about harvesting algae to produce lipids/oil to replace petroleum?

[@ZipGrowInc]

+Chris Shepherd Lots of folks are looking into this, but it requires massive, dedicated facilities, and typically genetically modified algae to make it work. No one's quite figured out the economics of how to do it at scale yet, without pretty massive subsidies. I think it's totally cool though, and really hope that we can continue to increase the efficiency of algae farms- I think there's a potentially huge future food source there too.

[@funnyfarmaquaponicsgrower5500]

Y can't u use a inline uv light

[@DavidBcc]

What about UV filters?

[@Daikuson]

how much humic acid per gallon is safe?

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hey Aiden, it really does not take much! Most of the time a pinch is all you need for a full system. How many gallons do you have in your system all together?

[@davidchacon3893]

Hay!

[@GaryWRose]

U need black opaque buckets to keep the light out

[@afterburner3999]

Good One Best idea Yet will Bleach work or will it harm plants cant find much on killing algy already in water. What about a Black Dye that just turns water black and wont hurt the plant.

[@srav2]

So, Nate, Why don't we feed the fish with algae? They really like it. An then we stop spending in fish food. Is it possible? To grow spirulina in the system, still feed the fish and keep some nutrients for the plants? Would it be somewhere in the equation?

[@ZipGrowInc]

Nope, unfortunately, it takes so much room to grow algae that you'd need thousands of gallons of algae culture to feed a couple pounds of fish, and there wouldn't be much in the way of nutrients available for the plants afterwards

[@srav2]

Hey Gina, How's it doing? well an acquaintance once had an aquaponic system where a handful of species thrived in a very interesting way. Including algae feeding the fish, so he'd never had to feed them. In a bigger system he produced energy from algae, as well feeding some bacteria with algae in a microbial fuel cell. I never asked how was that possible, but he told me something refreshing about species in a system. The more species you have in a system the more healthy the system can be, but also as it is productive it can also be fragile. He believes that the system should be run 'by its own' or you will probably mess up with the system equilibrium. So you should carefully select and introduce each species with an specific purpose so that each species has an 'specific' role and then the system could run without intervention. The thing is that running without intervention has its 'cost' in 'productivity'. The system runs with the same nutrients shared by all species, so it will give you what you need for good, not what you need to get profit of it. Because nature and because that is the way it works, I guess. But if you are looking forward to be really productive and competitive, follow Nate's advices, he knows the secrets. I think aquaponics' are still an investigation playground, with a lot of variables that can be added, nevertheless will give you the best quality food. What do you think Nate?

[@lelegurame]

I use natural cattapa leaves instead. Saves money

[@olivergarsideconeron]

Beards (on men) = Scientific Credibility

[@ZipGrowInc]

I think so too.

[@blackboy424]

I heard brown algae was good stuff is that true? if it is not, I will scrape it off my IBC walls :)

[@ZipGrowInc]

It is neither good nor bad. If you have tilapia, they'll do a good job of scraping it off and eating it. I would recommend not worrying about it unless it's clearly causing some sort of very clear problems. #aquaponics #fish

[@blackboy424]

Thanks

[@josephKEOarthur]

LOL, over all this time.. I totally didnt know that Nate was a Dr. / PhD.

[@Supersexysceptile]

Your beard is fantastic

[@ZipGrowInc]

Thanks!

[@noraajagger4239]

3:04 Ha Ha

[@MrTroutguy]

Beards (on women) = Circus Performer

[@ZipGrowInc]

Unfortunately so.

[@NotoriousPyro]

It.... was.... aaaa..... itty bitty teenie greenie algae infested aqua tankini! That she grew in the first time today.

[@landrewmackinnon4888]

Just as he said it, I read this. Perfect. Thanks for that.

[@1mm0rtaldreads]

How do you address the fact that with low carbonates in the water you cant not keep you PH stable with out dosing daily and are also unable to keep invertebrates alive? What is with your strange fear of carbonates?

[@masonconners7713]

He said a bad word “shit”

[@moihawk666]

Did you know the ads for your video says not to watch this video ……………. I watched half that commercial thinking it was your video that’s dumb AF