Sandponics Magic - From Barren Sand to Luscious Food Jungle in 2 Months : 2022

Our 18 sqm Sandponics system keeps evolving and changing daily, as we plant and harvest different varieties of vegetables. The sand was transformed into a Food Jungle in a mere 2 months.
This video takes you through the first 4 months.
At this stage we are testing by growing as many varieties as we can. Some standard and some exotic.
Big Successes so far have been;
_____________________________________
Lettuce, Spinach, Brinjals (Egg Plant), Tomatoes, Beetroot, Sweet Potato, Peanuts, Chillies, Corn and Cucumber
Disappointments:
_______________________
Carrots and Onions
Still Under Test
___________________
Potatoes and Saffron
We believe that the deformed carrots could have been caused by high nitrogen levels or the actual variety. Could also be due to old seeds we had left over. We will try growing a new variety. Will keep you updated on the progress.
If you're looking for a reliable growing system, Sandponics could be your solution.. A lot cheaper to build than aquaponics.
Myaquaponics Website: www.myaquaponi...
Blog: myaquaponics.c...
Facebook: / myaquaponics
KZbin: / myaquaponicsza
Due to increased demand from our overseas followers wanting to purchase our Best selling #aquaponics #ebook via #paypal or credit card, it is now available on #gumroad. The book "Secrets to Successful Aquaponics farming - Water Quality , System Design & Sizing (DIY & Commercial)" has 150 pages packed with photos, illustrations and formulas for backyard and commercial aquaponic systems, gathered from over 10 years of experience. Click the following link to purchase henrikiko.gumr...
South Africans can purchase via our website here myaquaponics.c...

[@mcautics3914]

Blown away how quickly the grow has progressed

[@prizonfrost123]

Great work...Absolutely stunned by the progress..Love from Nepal.. Keep going, Keep growing

[@bballantyne3]

wow. love the variety.. not just greens. Great stuff!

[@ozzypunk1]

Thanks for the update. The system is looking great and seems to be going from strength to strength as it matures. Anything you want to change or upgrade? Or what’s next ?

[@MyAquaponics1]

Thanks, would like to change out the fish tank to a bigger one, just need to find the time. For now, its a matter of continuing to explore what grows best. Many customers have already modelled theirs around our one, so we look forward to seeing how their systems evolve as well.

[@sandponics]

@@MyAquaponics1 If you only want to have more fertiliser for the plants, instead of building a larger fish tank you can supplement what you get from your own fish with a purchased supplement as demonstrated in a couple of my videos.

[@IssaBakree9623]

Very amazing and amazing work thanks for video

[@henriquejsanchez]

Great work! I have mentioned this video in my latest one about futures of hydroponics, I think you're paving the way for really interesting alternatives of traditional aquaponics substrates

[@MyAquaponics1]

thank you

[@JoshuaFernandes]

This really is inspirational ❤

[@MujahidAbdurrahim_65]

Awesome bro!

[@claudiovital]

Lindo demais!

[@MyAquaponics1]

Obrigado

[@brandonterry6194]

GRATITUDE 💥🐟💥

[@sivaram1379]

Super

[@janinfatino9447]

Amazing results! Regarding the carrots. We can observe the same outdoor when water supply is too good or o flooded fields. The carrot has no need to built a long mainroot. So the grower reduce after establishing the irrigation and force the plant to seek for water and building a longer root. I am not shure how you have done it but you can not transplant carrots very well. When the tip of the main root dies the carrot will only form a lot of secondary roots.

[@MyAquaponics1]

Ohh wow, thank you for that excellent information.. We did transplant those, so maybe the main root got damaged.

[@warrior9086]

Yes, that´s the way to go. Always thought it makes no sense to filter the solids out of the system. That is the most valuable part. So how is Your water quality holding up. First of all sand is the best mechanical filter. So water should be very clean. Also with this size of a system conversion rates should be very stable once mature. You mentioned You added some solids from another aquaponic system. Was that to speed up the process or to add more nutrients ? How stable is Your PH ?

[@MyAquaponics1]

Thanks, yes water is crystal clear .. Yes we added solids from our aquaponics system to speed up the process and we still do on a regular basis to keep nutrients at a good level.. pH levels are stable between 6.5 and 7.5, usually at just over 7.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

@@MyAquaponics1 Ideal ph is 6.4..... friendly reminder :)

[@MyAquaponics1]

@@iAVs-Sandponics Ideally yes, though anything between 6.5 and 7.5 is more than acceptable in Aquaponics. From our over 10 years experience we find no real difference in plant growth in that range. Most plants are very happy at 7 pH.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

@@MyAquaponics1 It's true, I know people that run at 7.4 - Gary is my teacher also, Dr Mark McMurtry taught him that plants will do noticeably better at 6.4 - not here to argue sorry if it comes across that way, I have a lot of respect for you and your work. Personally I keep it at 6.4 so more ammonium is available to the plants rather than mostly nitrates.....also a safety buffer in case of ammonia spike so the hydrogon ions bond to it and convert it to its safer form. If you see Rabie's iAVS videos he also keeps his over 7 but Dr Mark McMurtry is trying to contact him to ask him to try it at a lower ph :)

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

@@MyAquaponics1 I have a lot of respect for you and your videos, I'm here to learn, I apologise in advance if it sounds like I'm here to argue; I started out with the same statements that ph is fine to be variable (root exudates create micro-environments with a different ph, for example) Gary is also my teacher, he has 16 years experience, he was mentored by Dr Mark McMurtry, 30 years experience, and 6.4 is recommended as the ideal ph for nutrient availability and also a buffer to keep ammonia in the form of ammonium, and both are very beneficial plants, especially in synergy. Once again, no disrespect intendended, it;s because I have respeect for you that I engage in an open discussion.

[@Visionery1]

Incredible results! One often hears that most of the commercially-available seed these days is GMO seed, what type of seed was used for this project? If not GMO, is it still readily available? Organically-grown GMO plants do not appeal to everyone. How does fertilization work in a greenhouse environment?

[@MyAquaponics1]

We use heirloom seeds, so not GMO. Fertilization in Sandponics is through the nitrification cycle, similar to aquaponics. In Sandponics microbes also help in breaking down organic matter into minerals and nitrogen

[@Visionery1]

@@MyAquaponics1 sorry, I meant plant pollination, i.e. flowers (I did see a lone butterfly, are there also bees etc.). I see heirloom seeds come in very small packs of 8-10 seeds. Can one then take seeds from the grown fruit, or will these not germinate?

[@MyAquaponics1]

@@Visionery1 we do leave the doors to the tunnel open during the day, so some pollination through insects does occur yes. Yes, you can take the seeds from grown fruit . They will germinate yes.

[@Pankaj13Das]

Hi, nice work on sandponics. Just wanna ask, do you constantly pass water through your bed or periodically using timers. If you operate sandponics in flood and drain style won't it be an easy operation.

[@MyAquaponics1]

Thanks. We use a timer. 30 minutes on and 90 mins off. Only during the day and not at night. Timer gives more accurate time control than say a bell siphon

[@Pankaj13Das]

@@MyAquaponics1 Thank you for your reply. If you are not passing water during night hour, does it affect nitrate level of the fish tank.

[@MyAquaponics1]

@@Pankaj13Das Please note that although we do not recirculate water during the night when fish are less active and not eating, we do keep the air pump on during the night in the fish tank. This keeps DO levels high for the fish and beneficial bacteria

[@davidgrech9180]

@@MyAquaponics1 So the DO levels allow enough bacteria in the tanks to keep the Ammonia and Nitrate levels from getting toxic overnight?

[@MyAquaponics1]

@@davidgrech9180 Nitrates are not toxic (i think you meant nitrites).. Anyway, during the night the fish are fed so they create less ammonia which is easily handled by the beneficial bacteria.. Of course, we do not over stock our tanks.. 20-25Kg of fish per 1000 litres is manageable. Also, you can of course run the water pump throughout the night if you prefer.

[@heynw1]

So far from your experience with the sand, which will you prefer - the stones or the sand?

[@MyAquaponics1]

The Sandponics system has given us superior results so far when compared to flood and drain beds using Leca or stone

[@edwinb848]

❤

[@orlaneoc3913]

Hello! This is amazing! I love your work! And I wouldlike so much to learn from you… do you propose physical courses or internship ? Thank you!

[@MyAquaponics1]

Thank you.. We did incorporate Sandponics in our last Aquaponics course that took place in Johannesburg. Our next course will probably only be after winter, around end of August. We do not offer any internship at this stage

[@eastcoast4233]

1:10 wild? 🤔

[@fungholio]

Are you using coir for the transplanted potato? It's got roughly 1% dry mass potassium, so that's a great idea to add a little slow release K.

[@MyAquaponics1]

there was some peat and cocopeat attached to the potato seedlings when we transplanted, but generally we wash it off. thanks for the tip

[@lonewolfmtnz]

thank iAVs

[@j.m.k.3406]

Hello, can you do a complete build of this, long format, I can't get mine to drain correct. Thanks

[@MyAquaponics1]

Hi, please go to our youtube channel here www.youtube.com/@MyAquaponics1/videos and watch the Sandponics Videos titled Parts 2, 3 and 4 . You will see the complete build from start to finish

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

Did you do a porosity and hydraulic conductivity test of the sand?

[@oldgrumpy]

Is that common boulding (river) sand?

[@MyAquaponics1]

Pretty much, called washed river sand in South Africa

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

The correct particle size is .3 to 1.2mm with no silt or clay. Quartz silica. It also needs to be tested with a bit of vinegar to ensure it is inert.

[@belalabozad4689]

Please type of sand

[@MyAquaponics1]

Silica sand is best between 0.5mm and 2mm grain size but can be expensive. We used a washed river sand . Either way always first do all the sand tests described in our videos

[@williammccoll3404]

Would it be beneficial to add biochar to the sand?

[@MyAquaponics1]

It wouldn’t be detrimental as it could improve water and nutrients absorption for gradual release over time and due to its porosity could also serve as habitat for microorganisms

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

I tried it and the biochar broke down eventually and slowed down the drainage. You could use the biochar as a cascade aerator on the drainage outlet as a final water polisher.@@MyAquaponics1

[@JoeMorse]

What kind of sand do you use?

[@MyAquaponics1]

We used a washed river sand.. Ideally you want a grain size of between 0.4-1.2mm . Silica sand is always best but more expensive

[@potentponics592]

oh man not this magic sand again.

[@nunyabidnit937]

Just mad cause you can't sell them nutrient subscriptions?