Digging into Sandponics

If you’ve been in the hydroponic game for a while, chances are you’ve already heard about aquaponics, aeroponics and maybe even fogponics. Today, we’re diving into a lesser-known growing method that’s been around for centuries but has only recently started gaining global traction: sandponics. In today’s newsletter, we’ll break down what sandponics is, how it works and why it might (or might not) be the right choice for your next grow. 

Although it might sound like it, sandponics doesn’t mean you take your plants out for a beach day. Actually, sandponics, or Integrated Aqua Vegeculture System (IAVS), is an innovative combination of aquaponics and sand-based growing. 

At its core, sandponics is a hybrid system utilising elements of aquaponics but using sand as the primary growing medium. 

Like aquaponics, sandponic systems consist of a fish tank and a grow bed. Fish produce waste that is converted into nutrients, which is then pumped back up into the grow bed for plants to uptake. Unlike aquaponics, in sandponics, the growing media contributes to water filtration alongside the plant’s root systems, reducing the need for separate mechanical and biofilters. 

In addition to acting as a filter, a sand-based grow medium provides plenty of support for growing plants and has fantastic water retention capabilities, making it an ideal choice for most crops. 

Don’t get too excited, though. Before you start hauling beach sand into your grow room, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. 

First of all, sand is heavy—really heavy. A cubic metre of wet sand can weigh more than 1,500kg, which means your grow beds need to be sturdy, and your floor needs to be ready to handle the load. 

Second, sand type matters. For a successful sandponic system, you’ll need coarse, washed sand to ensure proper drainage and to prevent sand from compacting over time. 

Finally, note that sand can significantly affect the pH of your water. Many types of sand, including beach sand, contain trace elements like calcium carbonate, which can raise the pH of your water over time. 

If you want to incorporate sandponics into your garden, you must be prepared to adjust your pH more frequently. To do this, we recommend investing in a quality pH pen and a phosphoric acid-based pH-down solution, adding beneficial phosphorus to your system. We’ve included links to our recommended products at the bottom of this newsletter. 

Keep in mind that sudden and drastic changes to your system’s pH can stress your fish and plants, stunting growth and decreasing yield size. When you’re making adjustments to the pH of your water, aim to make them gradually, aiming for changes of no more than 0.2 pH units per day.

As a method of growing, sandponics can be very effective. We’ve seen growers produce outstanding results through the ingenuity of their sandponic systems. 

That said, the weight of the sand is a pretty big drawback and makes it difficult to use for indoor growers and those who might be new to growing without soil. 

At Aquaponics WA and Hydroponic Xpress, we appreciate how effective sandponics can be under the right circumstances but will generally recommend other methods for most growers, especially beginners. The added complexity and physical demands of a sandponic system can be challenging, and there are more straightforward ways to achieve the same fantastic results using aquaponics and hydroponics. 

If you are an experienced and adventurous grower with a sturdy set-up and a hankering to try something new, sandponics might be worth exploring. 

If you’re curious about sandpoincs or any other soilless growing method, we’re always here to help. Stop by our Canning Vale warehouse to chat with our knowledgeable staff, or give us a ring on 1800 640 222 for more info. 

Whether you’re growing in sand, LECA or thin air, we’ve got the expertise to help your garden thrive. Until next time, happy growing (whatever medium you choose)