Profitable herbs for aquaponics

   Well now your growing some plants and raising fish, but wish that you had enough money to  build and grow more. Obviously we know we can sell off some of our fish and even our lettuce, but everyone grows lettuce and most that have aquaponics have tilapia, check craigs list to see if anyone is selling tilapia, if not jump on it, it can be a gold mine.

  But I want to go over a few herbs that you can grow that you may already be growing or can easily grow that can make a small profit if you can find a buyer.

Cilantro is an excellent source of potassium, is low in calories, and is good for the digestive system. Expect to sell a good portion of this at the Saturday market. a lot of the latin restaurants will buy fresh Cilantro also. These are easy to grow in flood and drain systems and self watering buckets (dutch buckets) systems.

Make up your own salsa and sell that as well.

Basil is my favorite to grow! It is so easy and gives off a great aroma. I use it in everything I cook, and fresh basil makes the best pesto. Besides making every dish just fabulous, it also has great medicinal properties. It helps treat common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria.
 Growing Basil is easy in flood and drain and I have good luck with it in rafts also. It supposed to help keep the flys down too, but havent had that kind of luck with it.  Keep fresh plants to harvest.

Oregano has a distinguish flavor that one just has to have if they are cooking Italian food. Fresh Oregano or dred can be sold to health food shops, since it is good for so much healthy properties, including colds and viral infections, digestive upsets, pain relief, and respiratory problems. Warming oregano can also be used to bring on menses and ease painful menstruation, even cancer.
I personally use the oil to keep from getting colds, just add a few drops to an ounce of water and drink, nasty as all get out but works.
It also works in flood and drain systems. I havent tried it in float systems but would assume that it would do great.

Chives are a steady seller. These will start to germinate after a week or so. And unlike basil, these can actually do quite well in cooler weather.

I like to use chives in place of onion on a regular basis.

Every restaurant will use these if you can give a fair price on them. simple to grow in most mediums, and will multiply without assistance from you. Also puts on a pretty lavender flower.

Chamomile can all be traced to its effects on the nervous system and digestive system, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Works great for a sleep aid and even has a lot of uses for skin and hair care. The market for this is easy to get into. Cant find it at the super market and everyone has an illness that this can help. I like it to help sleep, it seems this has been a small problem of mine. Grows in a flood and drain system, but should be given a lot of space.

Parsley is  a great cash crop because it grows so well. It is used in many dishes. Parsley leaves and root are high in iron content and rich in vitamins A, B, C and trace minerals. Parsley adds color and aids digestion of the foods we eat and acts to prevent gas and bloating. Its just an all around good herb. And can be grown in both flood and drain, or raft, or if you choose, it can be grown in a bucket system.

Catnip is great to sell at farmers markets. Most everyone has a cat. You can sell the whole plant, or dried in individual bags. But also have to let your customers know how good it is for them. It is a soothing sedative for humans. It has been known to provide pain and stress relief and to also help with flu and cold symptoms. Catnip leaves contain considerable quantities of vitamins C and E, both excellent antioxidants.  Grow these in a rock or shell medium.  Makes great Christmas gifts and can be sold at craft fairs as well as the weekend market.

Lavender Is usually done on a more commercial basis, but if you have a local florist or someone that makes home remedies using honey and such, this is a popular product. It can be added to tea and has a lot of medicinal gifts. Soaking in a lavender scented bath relaxes away mild depression and anxiety and may even lower high blood pressure and improve circulation. Helps with sleep aid also. Great to grow in an extra bed that has a lot of room, or you can lace these randomly in your other beds.

   When picking out herbs or plants to sell, try to use what people are familiar with. Exotic plants do good if you can find the right market. But some folks like to have what they are used to or what their grandmother used in her kitchen. Start small and investigate what you are growing. Its like Vanilla beans is a great cash crop, but they take so much care and time, that its only worth it if you have a dedicated green house just for that. So keep it simple and get ready to make a lil profit. and live a healthier life for a bonus. 

   If there is a plant that you think is a great profit plant, let me know, and would love to post it.

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Trouble shooting fish problems in aquaponics

   Well, we all hope to the perfect Aquaponics system, and usually, we only have to worry about the  nutrient intake for our plants.

   But sometime our fish have issues too. It is up to us to prevent them or treat them as soon as
possible.

   Fish are prone to bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections and most fish problems are human induced.

  First off before we go through the common problems, lets just say if you have a choice, make sure you get your fish from a reputably fish supplier, not saying that getting fish from someones back yard off of craigslist is bad, I do it all the time, but do note that it is a better possibility to get infected fish that way.

  So now to the point of it all...STRESS! There are not that many diseases your Aquaponics fish can contract. Stress is the number one problem for fish.
 
   Lack of oxygen is the first  that we should prevent. Rolling the water over is key. Plenty of aeration from the BOTTOM. Having the air bubbles on the top of the surface doesnt help as much.

    High volume of fish solids and food is a big concern. This will lead to high levels of ammonia and low levels of oxygen.  Pumping the settlement from the bottom of the fish tank into a swirl filter or a medium bed will help, but more importantly is watching the food intake. If there is food left then slack on the feed next time.

   Excessive handling is not a good idea, just because you want to show all your friends and family whats in the tank, its not good for the fish. So put the net away until harvest time.

  Water quality should be steady. If it fluctuates or has a bad source, the ph levels can spike up or down causing issues and of course if you get your water from town supply, it will have to be dechlorinated.   Keep a supply of rain water in a drum to use when water levels drop.

   Keep your algae levels low. Algae will give off oxygen during the day, but will starve it during the night. Keeping your fish tank covered or if its plastic, you can paint it or cover it in plastic. This will keep the sunlight from growing excess algae.

   If there is a bulling fish, it should be removed. Some fish will push other fish, or rob feed from them. It isnt very common, but it does happen. if so, it needs to be removed.

   Water temperature should be checked regularly. Place a digital thermometer, ( I use an auto in and out thermometer) where is is easy to see If your fish or cold natured  fish then keep it that way, and if your fish like warm temps, then expose them to the adequate heat and put a heater to keep the water maintained. Grow your vegetables accordingly. Some veggies like cold temps and some like warmer temp, use this to your advantage!

   Detection:

• Fungal infections: Fungal infections are can be seen as white botches on your fish’s fins and or body.
• Ammonia Toxicity: Fish are gasping for breath; fish have red and inflamed gills; fish appear lethargic; fish doesnt like to eat; and fish have red streaking on the fins or body.
• Low dissolved oxygen: Fish die in quick succession; fish are seen gasping for oxygen; hot weather is current; or fish die overnight and algae is present.

  

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What is needed to test my aquaponic water

   Before your Aquaponic system is completed and you buy your fish, it would be handy and cost effective to pre-buy all the test that you will need before your set up is done and for your weekely maintenance.

   There are plenty of digital gauges out there from $20 to $1500. To start out I recommend just getting basic test strips. You can get the five in ones or you can get the individual ones. Ph is the one you will need the most of. But besides Ph you will have to test your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, oxygen, and even light, come winter time, or if you are growing indoors.
All these can be easily purchased at a pet store but may be cheaper online at amazon, e-bay, or the aquaponic source. Pool supplies carry some also, but can be higher.

   This way if you have all the test strips before hand, you will be able to kick your system off faster and if problems come up, you will get a general idea of whats wrong just with some basic test.

   May be wise to get some ph up or down for aquariums too, just in case, but no need and making it too complicated right off.

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Urbanspace Aquaponics Vancouver

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