ÁGUA VERDE no AQUATANQUE! E agora?!

Summary

In this video, the creator tackles the common problem of green water in aquaponic tanks, which is caused by an overgrowth of microalgae due to excessive sunlight and nutrient-rich water. The creator explains how controlling light exposure and using acrylic wool (perlon) for filtration can help address the issue. They also emphasize the importance of allowing the biological filter to mature, reducing nitrates and improving water clarity. With patience and proper management, the green water problem can be minimized, ensuring a healthy environment for both fish and plants in the aquaponic system.

Takeaways

• 😀 The water in an aquaponic system can turn green due to the rapid growth of microalgae (phytoplankton).
• 🌞 Sunlight is a major contributor to the growth of microalgae, as they perform photosynthesis and thrive in high light conditions.
• 💧 Nutrient-rich water, particularly with high nitrate levels, also promotes algae growth in aquaponic systems.
• 🔧 The presenter had been preparing for the green water issue and uses it as an opportunity to explain how to resolve it.
• 🛠 A potential solution to prevent green water is to limit sunlight exposure to the tank, using materials like black plastic to block light.
• 🌿 In aquaponics, plants require sunlight, but fish do not. This is why blocking sunlight can help reduce algae growth.
• 📉 The tank's transparency due to the glass walls allows more sunlight in, which contributes to the green water problem.
• 💡 The system's filter (biofilter) is still developing, as the new plants have not yet matured to efficiently absorb excess nitrates.
• ⚡ UV filters can help clear the water but are avoided in aquaponics because they kill beneficial bacteria necessary for biological filtration.
• 🔄 The presenter uses acrylic wool (perlon) to filter the water, ensuring finer filtration to reduce algae and keep the system cleaner.
• 🐟 Tilapia fish, which are present in the system, also help by consuming phytoplankton, assisting in controlling algae growth.
• 👶 The system's fish population is reproducing, and the presenter plans to rescue the newly hatched fry and create a separate tank for them.
• 🎥 The presenter invites viewers to share their methods for dealing with green water and suggests making a video about the fish reproduction process.

Q & A

Why does the water in the aquatank turn green?

The water turns green due to a high presence of microalgae, specifically phytoplankton. These organisms multiply when exposed to sunlight and nutrients, causing the water to become increasingly green.

What is the primary cause of algae growth in the aquatank water?

The primary cause is the excessive light exposure and the nutrient-rich water in the aquaponics system. Phytoplankton thrives under these conditions, as they perform photosynthesis using the sunlight.

What role does sunlight play in the green water issue?

Sunlight promotes the photosynthesis process in phytoplankton. The more sunlight the water receives, the faster these algae multiply, resulting in greener water.

How does the glass of the aquatank contribute to the green water problem?

The glass of the aquatank, being translucent, allows sunlight to penetrate the water from both above and through the glass, intensifying the growth of algae.

What are the effects of excessive nutrients in the water?

Excessive nutrients, particularly nitrates, feed the phytoplankton, allowing them to multiply rapidly and cause the water to turn greener. The presence of nutrients is a key factor in the algae problem.

How can the problem of green water be resolved?

There are a few ways to address the green water issue: blocking sunlight from reaching the tank, reducing the nutrient levels, and using filtration systems to remove excess nutrients and algae.

Why doesn't the creator use UV filters in their aquaponics system?

The creator does not use UV filters because while they could eliminate algae, they would also kill beneficial microorganisms that are crucial for the aquaponics system, including bacteria involved in the cycling process.

What is the purpose of using acrylic wool (perlon) in the aquatank?

Acrylic wool, or perlon, is used as a fine filter to clean the water. It captures dirt and debris, helping to improve the water quality by preventing algae buildup.

How does the filtration system in the aquatank work to reduce algae?

The filtration system works by circulating the water through a fine filter (acrylic wool), which traps debris. Additionally, limiting sunlight exposure slows down the algae's growth, and as the plants' roots develop, they will help filter out excess nutrients.

Why is the aquatank’s filter not yet fully effective?

The filter is still not fully effective because the plants in the grow bed are still small and have not developed enough roots to absorb sufficient nitrates. As the plants mature, the filtration system will improve.