I can't stop my clay balls from shifting!!!

so Ive got my second system up and running and am waiting for the fish to arrive.
this system goes to the filter system and then feeds into 3 beds 36" x 24" and 8" deep with bell syphons.
these are filled with hydrogenated clay balls. I've put several plants in these just to see how well they work.
But ive noticed my clay balls are shifting and the plants are migrating towards the center.
I cant be the only person with this issue.
how have you guys fixed your balls from moving around?


ALL COMMENTS WELCOME

Same problem we had with our AP system.
We thought they will soak water up and one day stop floating but we were proven wrong.

The only way is that you fill the grow bed with water and stop just before the bell syphon activates.
Check with your hand how much void space under the clay balls is left.
Then fill the void space with heavy gravel and give it an inch or two more.
The clay balls will then rest on the gravel and stop moving.

The only way to get around especially if you have bought made in china clay balls.

im going to try and make some tray dividers with drainage holes to try and limit the movement. i'm trying to avoid increasing the weight by too much  

Me being me, I would try biochar. Especially larger chunks.

Phil Stevens wrote:Me being me, I would try biochar. Especially larger chunks.

The problem with Aquaponics is that you want to control your nutrients with the feeding ration of the fish.
Any grow bed media should be completely neutral and not leaching any nutrients into the water which biochar would do.

Aquaponics is a tricky system where you cannot put any matter in that could harm the fish or Microorganisms or any matter that could harm the plants.

Decent quality biochar does not leach nutrients. It will, however, sorb them up to its holding capacity. At that point it becomes neutral and, for hydroponic purposes, just another substrate.

For your application, I would soak and rinse raw biochar to wash out the soluble ash fraction before deploying it. A pH test of the rinse water will confirm whether it's safe to use.

wouldnt Bio chare have the same issue with moving around?

and thank you for the input guys

Phil Grady wrote:im going to try and make some tray dividers with drainage holes to try and limit the movement. i'm trying to avoid increasing the weight by too much  

Hi Phil,
also this we tried and found out that we have created a paradise to build up anaerobe zones and favorite spots where solids collect and so increase the maintenance input significantly.  
At the bottom of the gravel bed you want to create the highest flow rate and free flow you can to get the solids out as much possible.  

Under my projects you see my post and the trial system we spent so far above the 50.000 EUR in total (within 6 years of trials and teaching my Thai family modern farming)

well ive decided to change the system and get rid of the flood beds.
the reason being that there heating up the water in the fish tank too much.
so i'm purchasing the floating plant trays as these will reflect the heat and allow the plants to still get aerated from the pond and plenty of water.