Aquaponics Advisor

Live Bloodworms For Betta – Are They Safe?

Are live bloodworms for betta a good idea?

Live bloodworms are those that are still in their fresh, natural state. They tend to be a bit more expensive than their frozen counterparts but they are great for your fish. They are the most nutritious as their nutrients have not been lost through processing.

Live bloodworms have another added benefit for fish such as betta (Betta splendens). The swimming motion of the live bloodworms stimulates the hunting instinct of betta, helping keep them sharp.

A lot of people feed their betta fish bloodworms. While this is absolutely fine, there are some things to keep in mind while doing so. In this article, we will talk about the good, the bad and everything else you need to know about feeding live bloodworms to beta fish.

What Are Bloodworms?

There are two main types of bloodworms, those belonging to the Chironomidae family, and the other belonging to the Glycera genus. They are not actually worms but the larval stage of midge flies. Both types are safe to feed to fish. But the Chironomidae are much easier to breed and the ones commonly found at pet stores.

They are often found in shallow waters or pools. These fish have a pinkish appearance due to their bodies showing the presence of red body fluids (such as blood) containing hemoglobin, hence the name bloodworm.

Bloodworms are popular with aquarium fish enthusiasts, as a protein source for their fish.

There are two types of bloodworms that are commonly fed to fish. One is a larval form and the other a worm.

"can betta fish eat bloodworms

Can Betta Fish Eat Bloodworms?

Bloodworms can be an excellent protein source for your betta fish, and therefore part of a healthy balanced diet. While it is possible to feed these to your fish on a regular basis, you might want to put more consideration into how often you do it.

Bloodworms should not be the sole food source for your betta. Feed them in moderation while incorporating other food sources.

If bloodworms are the only food source for your betta, you will be doing them a disservice. To keep your fish full, you will have to feed them a lot of bloodworms, and too much of anything can quickly become bad.

Overfeeding betta with bloodworms will result in undesirable conditions such as fish digestive problems, the introduction of parasites which will negatively affect the fish, and poor tank water quality from excess wastes. All these issues will lead to your fish getting sick and eventually dying.

How Many Bloodworms To Feed Betta?

So what is the number of bloodworms that is safe to feed your betta fish? Betta, like most fish, will keep eating as long as you keep feeding them. It is therefore important that you monitor how much you feed them to avoid negative consequences.

Feeding your betta 1-2 bloodworms per meal is ideal. Whether you are feeding live or frozen bloodworms, do not drop a huge chunk of food at a time. If you do that, your betta will eat all the food they have been given, risking overfeeding. This will result in digestive issues such as constipation.

Even if they do not eat all the food, it will still pose a risk. Uneaten feed in a fish tank will degrade and possibly rot. This will lead to water quality degradation by increasing the concentration of toxic substances such as ammonia and nitrites.

can i feed my betta bloodworms every day

Can I Feed My Betta Bloodworms Every Day?

Feeding your betta bloodworms every day is not recommended. These worms should only be fed to betta, or any other type of fish as a treat that constitutes part of a healthy, balanced diet. This means that other types of food should also be fed to the betta.

Feeding bloodworms to betta every day will cause the to consume an excessive amount of protein and fat. While these are fine in the right quantities, too much will be dangerous to your fish’s health and can be disadvantageous to you.

Too much fat in a fish’s diet leads to conditions such as fatty liver tissue. This will disrupt the normal functioning of the fish’s system. It will cause physiological stress on the fish such as increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. As a response to this, your fish will stop growing well and will eventually die.

Feeding fish too much protein is essentially a waste of money. Protein is the most important and basic component of all fish feed. But there is only a certain amount that can be converted to muscle, the rest gets wasted. So why not be responsible with this important food to get the best out of it for your fish and your pocket?

Frozen Bloodworms For Betta

In addition to getting live bloodworms for your betta fish, you can get the frozen version. These will be cheaper and you can buy them in bulk and store them for an extended period of time.

Although frozen bloodworms may seem like a more convenient option, they have certain disadvantages. Frozen foods generally have a lower nutritional value than fresh ones, and this is no different in the case of bloodworms. Frozen bloodworms may not provide a balanced diet for your betta.

Conclusion – Live Bloodworms For Betta

Now that you know the ins and outs of live bloodworms for betta fish, you will be in a much better position to make the right decision regarding feeding your fish with these worms. Remember that while live bloodworms are good to feed to your betta, it should be done in moderation or it could lead to negative consequences such as digestive problems in your fish, parasitic infections and ammonia spikes in your tank or aquarium.

Feeding the right amount of this premium protein source as part of a healthy balanced diet will have your betta thriving, and the stimulating of their hunting instinct will keep their brains sharp.

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Aquaponics Fruit List – The Ultimate Guide

This article presents to you, the ultimate aquaponics fruit list.

Have you ever wondered what the best fruits to grow in an aquaponics system are? This article will provide you with a list of the best fruits that are suited for growth in aquaponics, as well as the conditions to provide these fruits with so that you can get the best productivity out of them. So let’s get right into it.

Aquaponics Crops

The idea of growing your own food in aquaponics is an attractive one to people who want to produce their own food sustainably. But one of the biggest questions that growers ask is “what are the best plants to grow in my system”?

There is a wide range of plants you can grow in aquaponics. There are however important considerations to take into account when deciding what plants to grow. Some plants require more nutrients than others, and you need to provide the plants you grow with the right amount of nutrients.

How Does Aquaponics Work? 

So how does aquaponics work and what are the important components of this system? In aquaponics, plants or crops are grown in a soilless solution. Grow media such as coco peat, coco coir or clay pebbles are used for the plants to attach their roots to in a grow bed. The grow bed is then provided with nutrient-rich water from a fish tank.

"aquaponics crops

The fish tank is one of the most important components of aquaponics. The waste produced by the fish and waste from the uneaten feed is what is used by the plants as nutrients. Without fish, there would be no food for the plants to grow.

Another critical component is the filtration system. Here, large molecules are broken down by bacteria into smaller ones that will be more easily taken up by the plants. It also reduces the amount of toxic substances such as ammonia which may be harmful to fish.

All these components work together in harmony to provide the best growing conditions for your fish and crops. Crops can be either fruits or vegetables. Let’s talk about some of the best fruits for aquaponics.

The Best Aquaponics Fruit List

Aquaponic strawberries

Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits grown in aquaponics systems. There are many different varieties of strawberries to choose from. And because of this, you can harvest strawberries all year round. Provide your strawberries with the right growing conditions and temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees F and you will get the best out of them.

aquaponic strawberries

Blueberries 

Blueberries are another berry that is great for aquaponics. They may take a while longer compared to strawberries but when provided with the right conditions, they will thrive. They prefer temperatures of between 72-74 degrees F. The right temperature coupled with lots of sunlight will have your blueberries producing all year round. Fresh berries for your smoothies everyday!

aquaponic watermelons"

Tomatoes

You cannot think of aquaponics fruits and not think of tomatoes. They are one of the easiest and most commonly grown aquaponics plants. The ideal temperature for aquaponics tomatoes is 70 to 80 degrees F, and they require at least 8 hours of sunlight to grow and produce well.

Aquaponics fruit list

Pomegranate

Although not popular, pomegranates are great fruits for aquaponics. They are extremely easy to grow. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees F, pH of 5.5-7 and at least 8 hours of sunlight.

Pomegranate

Dwarf fruit trees

You can grow almost any tree in aquaponics. As long as the tree does not grow too big that its roots cannot be supported by the growth media. Dwarf trees are therefore best suited for aquaponics growth. These can be paw paw, cherry, peach, plum and lemon trees.

Dwarf fruit trees

Aquaponic watermelons

Next on the aquaponics fruit list is watermelon. Yes, this delightful, juicy red fruit can be grown in aquaponics. They can grow really big so if you choose to grow this fruit, you must make sure that it is well-supported so that the vines do not break.

Aquaponic watermelons

Banana

Bananas are another commonly eaten fruits that can be grown in aquaponics. Banana trees can grow really big and tall so they are best planted in big aquaponics systems.

These fruit trees generally grow faster than those grown in the soil. You have to be careful with bananas however, as they have very strong roots that can damage your system.

Banana

Tangerines 

Tangerines are one of the best citrus trees to grow in aquaponics. Just like banana trees, they can grow big and tall, and so would be best suited for large systems that will be able to support them. Provided with the right growing conditions, tangerines will grow well and you will harvest them from early autumn to early spring.

Tangerines 

Grapefruit

Another citrus on the best aquaponics fruits list is the much loved grapefruit. Although they are known for their sour taste, grapefruit grown in aquaponics is said to be sweeter than its soil grown counterparts.

Grapefruit

The Best Aquaponics Fruit List

Because aquaponics has certain limitations when it comes to growing fruits, there are certain considerations to selecting the right fruits.

Size and space are very important. Select the fruit that you think your system will be able to handle once it’s fully grown and mature.

Select fruits that have low nutrient requirements in systems where you cannot add supplemental nutrients to support the growth and production of your fruits.

Choose plants that are best suited to your climate to give them the best chance of survival.

Conclusion – Aquaponics Fruit List

We hope this list of the best aquaponics fruit list has given you an idea of the type of fruits you are going to grow in your system. If you don’t already have a system setup, why not go ahead and set one up? You will have an environment to grow all your favorite fruits and vegetables.

You will enjoy eating fresh fruit and vegetables that you grew yourself. This will be both rewarding and good for the health of your mind, body and soul.

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Basil Plant Leaves Turning Yellow In Aquaponics – Diagnose Like A Pro!

Why are my basil plant leaves turning yellow in aquaponics? If you are an avid gardener, or just a lover of plants, you know that leaves turning yellow is never a good sign. In this article, we will attempt to troubleshoot the issue of basil plant leaves turning yellow in aquaponics.

Why Are My Basil Leaves Turning Yellow?

Ocimum basilicum, commonly known as basil is a very popular herb that is commonly used in many dishes. If you love your cooking then you probably have this herb growing on your window sill or have a bush just outside your kitchen door. Basil is from the same family as mint, the Lamiaceae family. It originates from India, the land of spice and has spread to other parts of the world where it is much loved.

While this herb grows well in soil, it also makes an excellent aquaponics crop if paired up with the right fish. Whether grown in the soil or in aquaponics, basil leaves can turn yellow. If you want to keep your plant alive, you will have to correctly diagnose the cause so you can remedy it. So let us look at possible causes in an aquaponics system.

What Causes Basil Leaves To Turn Yellow?

There are various reasons why your basil leaves can turn yellow.

"why are my basil leaves turning yellow

The possible first cause of basil plant leaves turning yellow in aquaponics is pH. In aquaponics, you often face issues such as pH imbalance. Plants have a pH preference that is ideal for them, and this varies between plants but the range is usually between 5.5-7.0. At this ideal pH, plants are efficiently able to absorb nutrients from the water. If the plant can’t uptake nutrients, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies which may present as yellowing of the leaves. So keep your aquaponics pH between 5.5 and 6.5 to avoid your basil leaves turning yellow.

pH

pH is more of a problem in aquaponics that in soil. This is because soil has a natural ability to buffer against pH changes. This means that the soil will correct for any changes in pH to suit the plant. Water, like in an aquaponics system does not have this ability, so we have to correct for pH changes. To lower pH, acids such as nitric, muriatic, and phosphoric are used. Calcium carbonate and potassium carbonate are used to increase pH.

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Nutrient Deficiency

The second possible cause is nutrient deficiency. If you have checked your pH and it is at the ideal range for basil, the yellowing of your plant leaves could be due to nutrient deficiency. Basil requires a fair amount of nutrients to grow well and remain healthy.

Provide your basil plants with a nutrient solution that is high in nitrogen and see if the yellowing does not go away. You will need to be careful however that the addition of extra nutrients in your aquaponics system does not overwhelm your filtration system, and does not kill your fish.

Bacterial and Fungal Infections

Disease infections can also cause your basil leaves to turn yellow. Infections with pathogens such as basil mildew which is caused by Peronospora belbahri. The best way to deal with this issue is first to know how to identify the symptoms. Once you know them you can remedy the situation.

Ways of avoiding the spread of the infection involve preventing the wetting of leaves because this pathogen thrives in wet and humid conditions. Prevent water from splashing onto the leaves of your basil in your system. Reduce humidity in the area where your system is. This should help prevent the problem. It is also important that you use disease free seedlings to plant in your system because once an infection spreads, it may become difficult to contain.

Bacterial and fungal infections which thrive in wet and humid conditions can also cause your basil leaves to go yellow. These include those caused by Pseudomonas cichorii and Podosphaera xanthii. The best way to minimize the risk of these infections is to reduce moistre and humidity in the environment where your aquaponics system in located.

basil plant leaves turning yellow in aquaponics

Natural aging

Natural aging of your basil plant can cause yellowing if the plant leaves. This happens when the plant has completed its life cycle and has reached the end of its life.  In this case, the is no remedy. You just need to accept the plant’s time is up. It does not need to be a sad occasion as you can simply get a new, productive plant to replace the old one.

Unfavorable Growing Conditions

Unfavorable growing conditions will negatively affect your basil plant and this can manifest in the plant leaves turning yellow. If the temperature, light intensity, temperature, and nutrient provision are not ideal, your basil will surely suffer. Provide your plant with the best growing conditions to prevent this problem from occurring.

Can You Eat Yellow Basil Leaves?

Now that you know the possible causes of basil leaves going yellow. You are probably interested in knowing whether the yellow leaves are safe to eat.

Basil plant leaves turning yellow signify that something is not quite right with the plant as this is not its normal healthy colour. While the yellow leaves of a basil plant are not poisonous in any way, they may have an unpleasant taste due to to the stress that the plant is undergoing.

How To Save My Basil Plant

You have probably heard the phrase, prevention is better than cure. This phrase holds true for saving your basil plants. Stresses plants, due to unfavourable conditions become susceptible to a wide range of diseases and infections.

The best way to save your basil from any effects of environmental stresses is to provide it with the best growing conditions.

If however you do get unlucky and get a sick basil plant, check the pH or nutrient level and try to correct those issues. Hopefully your plant will come back to life.

Conclusion – Basil Plant Leaves Turning Yellow In Aquaponics

This article has provided you with a wealth of information on how to diagnose and treat various causes of basil plant leaves turning yellow in aquaponics. Put this information to good use and you will have a very happy and productive basil plant in your aquaponics system.

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The Best Substrate For Hermit Crabs – Revealed!

Are you interested in knowing what the best substrate for hermit crabs is so you can avoid deadly mistakes? In this article, we will tell you all you need to know about substrate for hermit crabs.

What Are Hermit Crabs?

Hermit crabs are a group of crustaceans that belong to the Paguroidea family. There are more than 800 species of hermit crabs, and they have a characteristic snug fitting shell to protect their abdomen.

These long lived animals are popular to keep as pets and are available at pet stores. If given the best care, hermit crabs can live for as long as 20 years.

We have learned a lot about keeping hermit crabs in captivity over the years. And while we take good care of them, there is still a mistake that a lot of us make. That is choosing the correct substrate.

Hermit Crab Substrate

Having the right substrate is very important for hermit crabs, so much so that even if everything else is right in their environment, if the substrate is wrong they may die before their time.

The right substrate and the correct depth need to be provided and maintained for the successful molting of the hermit crab.  They undergo the moltin

bedding for hermit crabs

g process in order to form a new exoskeleton.

The hermit crab also uses the substrate as a hiding place from any predators or cage mates that may attack it. Now you see why the right substrate I s so important.

There are different substrates that could be used for hermit crabs. But what you want to know is what is the best substrate for hermit crabs.

The Best Substrate For Hermit Crabs

Sand is the best substrate for hermit crabs in a tank. They like this substrate because they can burrow down into it, creating the best hiding place for them.

This is also an advantage for the hermit crab owner for a few reasons. The first reason is that sand is very easy to find and available at most home improvement and pet stores. It is also inexpensive. You can buy as much of it as you need and you can use it to adjust the depth that is required for your hermit crab.

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How To Prepare Sand As A Substrate For Hermit Crabs

After you have bought or acquired your sand, you will need to first go through a few preparation steps before putting it in your hermit crab tank.

When you get the sand from somewhere, you don’t know what has been in it or what it has been used for. Therefore it is important to clean it in order to get rid of any substances in there that may be harmful to your hermit crab.

You will need to rinse your sand with clean water, dry it and bake it in an oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be enough to sterilize it. You can also give the sand a final rinse after baking just to polish it up. After this, your sand is ready to use as a substrate.

What Is The Ideal Depth Of Substrate For Hermit Crabs?

The depth of the substrate depends on the size of your hermit crabs. Remember the purpose of the substrate is to provide a hiding place for your crab.

Small hermit crabs require a depth of at least 6 inches. As the crab grows, the depth should be adjusted accordingly.

Hermit Crab Coconut Fiber

Coconut fiber is an excellent choice for bedding for reptiles such as hermit crabs. Because it can be prepared in such a way that it is almost like soil, it is preferred by hermit crabs. Substrate made from ground coconut fiber is called forest bedding.

Bedding For Hermit Crabs

Forest bedding can also be a good substrate to use in your crab habitat. It is made up of shaved or shredded coconut fiber. It needs to be ground very fine so that it is almost like soil. This will make it good for burrowing.

Other options for hermit crabs’ bedding include crushed coral. But sand is the best and most preferred by hermit crabs, followed by crushed coconut fiber.

You may want to avoid using gravel and wood shavings as substrates for your pet hermit crab. These substances are hard and may be abrasive (which may damage your hermit crab) and not as easy to burrow down on.

do hermit crabs like sand

Do Hermit Crabs Like Sand?

Hermit crabs absolutely love sand because it is the closest substrate to their natural environment, in the wild. And with any wild animal that you decide to keep as a pet, the best way to give it good growing conditions and the best chance of survival is to mimic as much as you can, its natural habitat.

Conclusion – The Best Substrate For Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are one of the best reptiles you can keep as a pet. As long as you can provide them with the best growing conditions in your tank, you will be able to enjoy them for a very long time. They can be a great pet to grow up with and to teach kids the responsibility of taking care of a pet.

While there is so much that we know about creating the ideal living environment for our hermit crabs, a lot of us still make the mistake of using the wrong substrate in our hermit crab tanks.

We hope that after reading this article, you will no longer make that mistake. Sand is the best substrate to use in your hermit crab tank, and should be adjusted accordingly as your crab grows so that it can still be able to burrow down and have a good hiding place. Ground coconut fiber is a close second.

Remember these points and practice them, and you will get the best out of your hermit crab and get to enjoy it for a very long time.

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EPDM Vs PVC Pond Liner – Which Is The Better Option?

You are thinking of building a pond in your yard and wondering which is the better choice for liner, EPDM vs PVC pond liner? In this article, we will put your wondering to rest. Keep reading.

What Is A Pond Liner?

When you construct or build a pond, you want it to store water for various reasons such as keeping fish, providing water for ducks, chickens or other birds, or just having it as a garden feature. Whatever the reason for building your pond is, ponds are good because they help contribute to biodiversity by being a habitat for various small creatures.

A pond liner is an impermeable material or membrane that is placed at the bottom of ponds, dams, reservoirs, artificial streams, constructed wetlands or any structures that are dug for the purposes of retaining water for various uses

Why Is Pond Liner Important?

The function of the pond liner is essentially to prevent water loss. Because it is an impenetrable membrane, it prevents water from draining through the soil. Without a pond liner, all the water that you use to fill your pond would drain through the soil and not be retained for use.

It is essential that you ensure your pond liner is free of any holes or cracks through which water could leak. It is only able to fulfill its purpose if it has no damage to it.

best pond liners

What Are The Types Of Pond Liners And What Are Pond Liners Made Of?

There are many different types of pond liners made from different types of materials. All pond liners however have to be young and durable to be able to hold large volumes of water and withstand a wide variety of environmental conditions to which they may be exposed.

The most common materials used for the construction of pond liners are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), butyl rubber (sometimes just called butyl), reinforced polyethylene (RPE) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

These materials are different but durable, can be hard or soft and can be flexible so they can be used in any shape of a pond.

You can read more about the materials used to make pond liners at: https://closerpets.co.uk/blogs/news/what-are-pond-liners-made-out-of

There are many different types of pond liners but one debate question that often comes up is which is better between EPDM and PVC. Let us discuss this.

EPDM Vs PVC Pond Liner

EPDM vs PVC pond liner, which is the better option? Let us help you answer this question by discussing the pros and cons of the two.

  • EPDM

EPDM pond liner is very soft, making it easy to use and shape. It is also durable and resistant to pressure, temperature and extreme weather conditions. It is not resistant to chemicals but is safe for fish. It is difficult to seam. This may present challenges when doing it yourself and you may require the assistance of a professional. EPDM is more expensive than PVC and other pond liners such as HDPE.

  • PVC

PVC is more readily available and cheaper. It is very flexible and therefore easy to install, therefore ideal for DIY projects. While it is resistant to chemicals, it can wear out over time because it is not UV resistant. So if your pond is outside, where it will be exposed to sunlight, PVC may not be a good choice. Some grades of PVC may also be toxic to fish, so be careful to check before you purchase.

Best Pond Liners

So which are the best pond liners? There is no “best” pond liner per see, each has its advantages and disadvantages. The best pond liner is the one that best suits your needs. Here are some important considerations when it comes to choosing the best pond liner for you:

  • The flexibility of liner – some pond liners are not as flexible as others. If you are building your own pond and want to line it, you will need to choose a liner that is flexible so that you can bend and fold it without breaking, so it can conform to the shape of your pond. Hard pond liners can be a nightmare if you are building the pond yourself. In this case, you will need to get a professional installer to do it for you
  • Quality – because the durability of different pond liners differs, you will need to buy the best quality for your pond or project, so that you only buy it once.
  • Environmental conditions – climate conditions such as temperature and strong winds can influence your choice of pond liner. If you live in areas that are prone to extreme weather conditions, you will need to get the toughest or hardest liner, so it can have a longer life.

Fish Safe Pond Liner

If you are building a pond to keep fish in, it is of utmost importance that you purchase a pond liner that is safe for fish. Both EPDM and PVC have grades that are safe for fish. You will however have to find out from your supplier before purchasing it so that you don’t end up wasting your money on the wrong type.

The fish-safe types of these liners are however more expensive that the regular ones. But trust us, the slightly higher price is absolutely worth it if you want to avoid the disaster of all your fish dying.

fish safe pond liner "

Conclusion On EPDM Vs PVC Pond Liner

We hope this article on EPDM vs PVC pond liner has provided you with all that you needed to know to make the best decision for your pond liner. With so many options to choose from, making the choice can be a bit of an overwhelming task.

We hope this article has helped put your mind at ease with regard to making this choice. Remember that some pond liners come with a lifetime guarantee. This will probably make your decision that much easier when purchasing one.

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