Aquaponics Academy #16: Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium

Today we're talking about three macro-nutrients: potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These are the three most commonly deficient nutrients for aquaponic systems.
Potassium (2:05)
Calcium (7:31)
Magnesium (12:51)
Not only are all three of these deficient in systems, but they impact each other when they are in excess. This can be confusing, but if you're having trouble controlling any one of these it might be that one of the others is impacting it. In this case, it might be worth it to have a university do a water test or tissue analysis for you.
If you want more in-depth information on nutrients/plant interactions, check out USU courses (online courses built help small farmers build their farms and/or businesses) at university.upstartfarmers.com.
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[@andrewfowler2105]

My favorite bed time lullaby ;)

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Is it safe to say that if you are in excess of one of these nutrients that effect one another that over time the system will balance out by up taking more of the nutrient in excess? Thanks for the great info, I have applied a lot of what I have learned here over the years in my own system.

[@ZipGrowInc]

SSLFamilyDad Sometimes but not always, so you always want to keep an eye out for potential red flags.

[@BALLAD911]

Hey man, you say at the end of this video that it's so boring that we might meet an accident if driving. It's funny but not true at all. All of the Bright Agrotech videos are super fun. This podcast really amazing.

[@brandonterry6194]

GRATITUDE 💥🐟💥

[@ziadalgorashi8485]

thank you so much sir you are a much help

[@MarcassCarcass]

Dr. Nate Storey, Do you have a video where you talk about possibly using excess fish food as a nutrient supply? I think I once heard of Rakocy figuring that there was always an excess of nitrates when compared to other nutrients and that he then experimented with a denitrification anaerobic filter, adding extra fish food to compensate for the other nutrients, thus creating a more balanced system with a greater diversity of bacterias. Is this so?

[@raymondbeckham]

Thanks, I think I have a calcium deficit in my system. Thanks for the info!

[@RedLineFeva]

what are the best test kits to use to measure the amount of these nutrients in your system? and what levels should they be?

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

also, can you name specifically the potassium hydroxide to use on a 1500 gallon system?

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

what are your thoughts on garden lime w dolomite?!?!

[@shumfengcheng9913]

Hi i have a question, may i use Potassium Nitrate KNO3?

[@mrmetrontech77]

What about 0-0-60 Potash for potassium? Very limited what we can get our hands on. But we can get this

[@deweysanders1461]

Could you please recommend a brand of Chelated calcium. Thanks in advance

[@MarcassCarcass]

Why do the foliar spray in the evening? Don't you want photosynthesis going on to utilize the nutrients?

[@84juzic]

This is awesome fast end clear information, thx Please can u write here formula for Calcium which will not raise pH? I am not from English speaking country and I am not able to figure out this name. :)

[@ruebenmenese9307]

just a question, which setup is better? float raft system 1st then water goes to plant medium or plant medium going to float raft system? because I have aquaponics for about 4 months and I have seen that plants in the float raft system turns yellow leaves and dont grow while in my plant medium system is doing good especially the tomatoe and ginger.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hi +Rueben Menese - Raft systems are very difficult to achieve proper nutrient levels when you run it through different mediums like a grow bed. It sounds like your might have a nutrient concentration issue in your DWC system.

[@garethbarber5625]

Hi nate, Why do not recommend carbonates? And do you group bicarbonates into this as well? Hydroxides when added to the water bpnd with co2 to create bicarbonate, as well as increade the hydrogen ions in solution raisong pH. Just wondering what reason it is that you font recommend the use of these as Hydroxides end up being the same once added to water

[@ZipGrowInc]

Gareth Barber That's not really how it works when you're using hydroxides in acidic solution. Carbonates and bicarbonates have fairly complex chemistry. Adding OH to acidic solutions will not create bicarbonate- especially in highly aerobic systems like aquaponic systems.

[@ratemyboard]

@@ZipGrowInc OK, but why not use carbonates? I’ve been using them for four years with great success. I never use hydroxides

[@fathimam8944]

What is the influence of potassium in irrigation water

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

Dr Nate....? what is your opinion on langbeinite in AP? please let me know. im very curious about it.

[@ZipGrowInc]

DRUMofTRUTH Hey sorry! It's hard to find all the recent comments lately. Langbeinite can be useful, but you have to be careful because it isn’t highly soluble, so it’s possible to add too much and not realize it.

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

well being as busy as you guys are, im sure its hard to keep up with everyone. so much to learn. you guys at BA are awesome. lol wish i lived closer. would love to come work for you guys!

[@ZipGrowInc]

It definitely gets pretty nuts around here!

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

how often do you have to use hydroxides? every day? or every other day? i know these things vary with alot factors. im terrified of hydroxides just thinking about the fish w ph swings

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hey DRUMofTRUTH - You can add hydroxides every few days depending on your system size and pH stability!

[@hemmaodlat1977]

How often should you add kelp meal concentrate?

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hemmaodlat once every 2 weeks or so. Hope that helps!

[@ZipGrowInc]

***** .5 oz for every 1000 gal. Hope that helps!

[@ezekielswiss5956]

did you ever find any? i am looking all over the place and cant find any even at kelp for less.

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

Dr. Nate...does epsom salt have "salt" in it that doesnt breakdown over time. i guess sodium " something or other"? good ol TN term. lol if that makes any sense whatsoever?

[@BaadMotorFinger]

Is you mean sodium, no it doesnt have any. Epsom salt is MgSo4, magnesium and sulphur

[@DRUMofTRUTH]

is chelated calcium just a fancy name for liquid calcium?

[@ZipGrowInc]

DRUMofTRUTH Hmm, maybe but probably not. That's a strange one. In our experience, most liquid calcium is calcium carbonate. Sorry we can't help more on that!

[@phillpc127]

awrkraponics system?? :P yur language is funny..