aquaponic organic

First and foremost what is an aquaponics systems?

For someone new to the concept simply put it is the marriage of aquaculture (which is raising fish) & the practice of hydroponics (cultivating plant life).

Okay then how does it work?

Your fish waste accumulates in the fish tank which is circulated to your growing beds to feed your plants; this waste is toxic to the fish but beneficial to your plants because it is rich in nutrients. Plants cultivated using this method is referred to as a hydroponic system; in return the plants cleanse the water for your fish from deadly toxins and the water is circulated throughout the system completing an aquaponics system. The water in this type of system is never released or exchanged and only the evaporated water needs to be replaced.

Why bother with an aquaponics system?

Home aquaponics is an exciting concept for gardeners looking to grow their own vegetables with the added benefit of using fish as the plants nutrient source. A home system can be as tiny as one in your spare room using goldfish and growing herbs. To a much larger system in your backyard with silver perch growing lettuces, tomatoes, herbs and other delicious veggies! By the way there are several hundred different plants you can grow in this type of system.

The fish used in your system.

The type of fish you select for your home system will be determined by your goals and your conditions. You have to consider your climate and the availability of the fish in your area and of course your state laws regarding fish. There is no ideal fish so do the research for your location and decide based on your needs and availability.

Location is important for your system.

Consider this:

Is the location you choose level?

Is electricity accessible for your pumps?

Will you be able to provide cover if needed and will you be irritating your neighbors if it is outside?

Which Type of System?

There are 3 types of system you can design:

Nutrient Film Technique

Media based

Deepflow/raft

Media based systems feature gravel or clay pebbles. The plants are planted directly into the gravel or clay pebble media.

Deepflow/raft systems are commonly used by commercial systems. The media used is water and Styrofoam rafts or a floating board with pots to allow the plant roots to be immersed in the water.

Nutrient Film Technique can be used for home aquaponics or commercial but is the least popular. The plants are in pots and a small amount of water is trickled through the base of the channel where the roots access the water.

Your Pump for the system.

If you can design your system using one pump is will be far more energy efficient, and fits in easily with other environmental advantages. Place your fish tank lower than your grow beds to ensure that only one pump is required and it is in your fish tank. The water can be pumped from your fish tank into the grow beds and then let gravity allow the water to flow back into the fish tank.

Water requirements

It is important to use a filtration system and/or water additives to neutralize the water and it is vital that you test the ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels, 7 to 7.5 is a good range for the ph used in your system. The temperature of your water is critical for your fish to survive. A rapid increase or decrease in temperature can shock to the fish. Keeping the temperature at the right level for your type of fish is important to prevent dead fish.