All energy for living organisms is ultimately derived from the sun. Autotrophs using the suns energy create organic molecules through photosynthesis (Calvin Cycle), and do not require exogenous (external) organic compounds. Our fish food is made by autotrophs...and the produce from our gardens is made by autotrophs. Heterotrophs derive energy by breaking down organic molecules made by plants (Krebs Cycle). Humans, our fish, and the bacteria in our systems are heterotrophs...(sadly) we cant use the suns energy and atomospheric gases to generate organic compounds.
Autotrophs
Autotrophs produce macromolecules in the following way:
Mineral supplementation is a hotly debated issue, with some asserting "as needed/symptomatic" dosing, "scheduled" dosing, pre-made commercial mixes, mineral+commercial base dosing, vermicompost "tea", using hydroponics concepts, NOT using hydroponics concepts....Im confident that there is no one method that is perfect. However, if certain practices provide results Im sure it would be beneficial to learn from the failings/successes of others. Entire books could be/have been written on this subject. As I learn more I will add posts regarding mineral supplementation.
Atoms plants need to build macromolecules (protein, fat, carbs) are necessary. Cellulose = fiber...made from glucose but we cant digest it. Sugars and starches = digestable forms of glucose. See the formula above, thats all you need to make it. Fats contain the same atoms as sugars: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen. Nothing extra needs to be added for formation of fats. Proteins contain the same atoms as glucose, but ALSO need nitrogen and sometimes sulfur (miniscule amounts). Nitrogen will come from your nitrates, and sulfur can be added directly to the system or via fish food.
Another autotroph (but NOT a plant) evident in your system is algae. A general rule is that if its green, it uses chlorophyll, and is an autotroph. Just like grass, if you remove light, it will die/subside. If you have alge in your growbed, add more growth media, shorten your stand pipe, or fill you tank under the growth media. Most fish will eat aglae, so growth in the FT is desireable. Also, snails eat algae...and fish eat snails, so its a double whammy. If youre using clear tubing and algae is clogging the tubes, cover it with foam tubing insulation, spray paint tubing, or replace with rigid PVC.
Heterotrophs
Heterotrophs require organic molecules from other animals to power their cells and synthesize their biomass.
Bacteria. Oddly enough, the bacteria of interest in our AP systems are also heterotrophic. The difference is, rather than consuming the biomass of other lifeforms they consume the waste products of other lifeforms. Of primary concern is fish piss (or ours, for that fact). Primary contents of piss are water and urea, among other electrolytes. Healthy urine is sterile, and is necessary for nitration to occur.
Here is a graphic illustrating how you, me, the worms, and the fish process the products of autotrophs to make ATP, which powers our specialized cells to synthesize muscle, nerve, guts, and/or bone.
Worms. The next tier of animal complexity is the red worm. This guy is a major contributor to the system in that he breaks down organic solids, such as insoluble fish waste and vegetation, into soluble matter that the plants can readily absorb. Its important to pay particular attention to these guys because they will actually decrease your need to add much commercial nutrient and supplementation. In grow beds, they are placed direcly into the growth media, along with vegetation and compost from the kitchen. Another way of using worms is through vermicomposting. However, composting requires a higher degree of nutrient, moisture, and temperature control to be optimally effective.
Fish. The fish are, by far, the most complex heterotrophs in the system. Without the fish, you would have to pour chemicals or piss and crap into the system to get it to work, which is pretty unhealthy for vegetation consumption. Remember all of the spinach/e. coli recalls in the news? All are the result of using the manure of warm-blooded animals...which is avoided using fish manure. In an AP system, these animals require oxygenated water, water filtration, fish food, pH control, and temperature control. Beyond this, they dont require much, and a well-designed system can correct for the almost all of these factors:
- Venturi aeration solves oxygnation.
- Grow beds solve water filtration.
- Inulated tanks and environmental controls solve temperature control.
- Commercial base solves pH.
- Commerical fish pellets solve fish food.
Stay tuned. More to follow.
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