I am relatively new to aquaria and planted aquaria, having started only three years ago. I have been reading the Barr Report and this site for about a year now, and have learned a lot, even if I have not been able to put all into practice just yet.
Simultaneously I have been keen on trying my hand at gardening and have been reading up on that as well. There is a LOT of discussion and use of "organic" gardening methods. I am still as yet unclear exactly what that means, other than the idea of a holistic approach to gardening, as a system, using natural products that work as part of a closed cycle or loop. (At least that's what I've taken from what I've read so far.)
My question here is, is there an equivalent in planted aquaria? Are the potassium nitrate and mono-potassium phosphate that I use considered "organic"? I am assuming not. I am also assuming that use in aquaria does not necessarily have a negative environmental impact as we're: (a) using such small amounts; (b) our plants are using the chemicals such that when we do our water changes we are not introducing much, if anything, into our water systems or environment when dumping the effluent{2}.
Are there "organic" gardening methods that can be used in planted aquaria, such that if one is keeping such a garden outside (or a pond?), and planted tanks inside, similar techniques and fertilization methods could be used? Specifically I am wondering about worm casings. Out of tremendous curiousity I got myself a worm bin with "red wigglers" to try out vermicomposting on a very small scale.
-Jason
{1} It takes awhile for all of that information to "percolate" through my brain and put it into an actual tank.
{2} Part of the previous assumption is my understanding that environmental issues are probably due to industrial, large scale, farming and the huge runoff during heavy rains to local waterways.A
Simultaneously I have been keen on trying my hand at gardening and have been reading up on that as well. There is a LOT of discussion and use of "organic" gardening methods. I am still as yet unclear exactly what that means, other than the idea of a holistic approach to gardening, as a system, using natural products that work as part of a closed cycle or loop. (At least that's what I've taken from what I've read so far.)
My question here is, is there an equivalent in planted aquaria? Are the potassium nitrate and mono-potassium phosphate that I use considered "organic"? I am assuming not. I am also assuming that use in aquaria does not necessarily have a negative environmental impact as we're: (a) using such small amounts; (b) our plants are using the chemicals such that when we do our water changes we are not introducing much, if anything, into our water systems or environment when dumping the effluent{2}.
Are there "organic" gardening methods that can be used in planted aquaria, such that if one is keeping such a garden outside (or a pond?), and planted tanks inside, similar techniques and fertilization methods could be used? Specifically I am wondering about worm casings. Out of tremendous curiousity I got myself a worm bin with "red wigglers" to try out vermicomposting on a very small scale.
-Jason
{1} It takes awhile for all of that information to "percolate" through my brain and put it into an actual tank.
{2} Part of the previous assumption is my understanding that environmental issues are probably due to industrial, large scale, farming and the huge runoff during heavy rains to local waterways.A