Dirty fish tanks1/5/2024 “It’s not, like, sludge.”ĭoes it work? Kant says the proof is in the pudding, or in his case, the lettuce, basil, mint, and other crops he's growing in house. You could even drink it and you’d be OK, whereas a lot of chemical-based fertilizers are toxic,” he says. It’s not a concentrate product, so it’s perfectly safe. “People aren’t so easily put off things anymore. He's confident people will understand the usefulness of the nutrients and bacteria in the water rather than focusing on the whole “fish waste” bit. Gardeners should use it every few days, using regular water in between, and finish the gallon two to four weeks after opening, Kant says. Of course, Fish Dew is not-it’s going for $8 a gallon-but it is all-natural and non-toxic, and has undergone nutrient testing so you’ll know exactly what comes in the bottle. “I have a fish tank at home and when I clean it, I pour the water in my houseplants.” It’s a trick that’s well regarded by many gardeners, not least because it puts dirty aquarium water to good use and it’s free. “I’m known for having a green thumb,” says Kant, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs and got his MBA from University of Illinois at Chicago. The closed loop system is popular in the sustainable food movement as a responsible way to raise the fish and the plants. In turn, the plants process the nutrients and clean the water so it’s ready to go back to the fish tanks. The “nutrient-rich” water (which is what Metro Farms is bottling up and selling as Fish Dew) circulates to the plants, and acts as a fertilizer to help them grow. Water circulates between the two systems: The fish create waste, which is converted by naturally occurring bacteria into nitrates and other nutrients. Here’s how it works: Kant and three other full-time workers (plus interns) operate the 10,000-square-foot farm, which consists of tanks of tilapia and a greenhouse. Fish Dew, their newest product, debuted when farmers markets opened this spring. The Humboldt Park aquaponics farm, which began operations in October, sells homegrown tilapia, greens, and herbs at local farmers markets and supermarkets. I ask, what do you guys do with your old aquarium water when doing water changes.Fish Dew is a pretty coy name for a product that basically amounts to dirty aquarium water.īut Benjamin Kant, founder and CEO of Metropolitan Farms, says it works miracles in the garden-and he’s got loads of beautiful produce to prove it. I don't think I can dump them outside without leaving a salt residue all over the ground and making the area unfit for any plant growth so: She would prefer the waste water be taken outside of the home. All with similar feelings from her of disgust at having fish waste in her home. I have offered to take the 5 gallon jugs downstairs to the kitchen sink, the guest bedroom, use the toilet, etc. I want to be respectful and sensitive to her feelings. Now, I personally don't feel this water is that dirty but, it is a HUGE issue to her. She feels I am making our bedroom filthy with fish sh*t and pee. I have been taking the 5 gallon jugs to our shower and pouring them down the drain. This is my 'office' and where the 120 gallon tank is situated. There is also a loft between the bedroom and the staircase down. My home is a two story with the 'master suite' on the second floor. I usually replace 15 gallons every 2 weeks, three 5 gallon jugs. I have a 120 gallon reef tank with a 40 gallon refugium. I ask this question because it causes a lot if dissension between myself and my wife and out of respect, I want to dispose of the waste water in a responsible way.
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