Types Of Aquaponics Systems

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Judul : Types Of Aquaponics Systems
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Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

The nutrient film technique is most commonly used in commercial hydroponic applications and is used to grow large quantities of leafy vegetables that have small root systems. The water to feed the plants is pumped through small narrow troughs. The NFT system is generally not used in aquaponics.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

The deep water culture application is much like the NFT system except it doesn’t use a thin film of water it uses a deeper bed of water using a suspended float.  Just like the NTF system there are only a certain types of plants will thrive in a system where their roots  are continually submerged.

Media Filled Grow Beds

The most commonly used growing method in aquaponics is media filled grow beds. With this system the medium,  otherwise known as gravel or clay pellets, is used to suspend the plants. The media from the  grow beds keeps the nutrients where the roots are located.  The gravel or clay also naturally recycles the waste from the fish.

Another benefit from using the media filled grow bed method is the fact that you can grow more of a variety of plants and vegetables.  Actually, you can grow just about anything when you use media filled grow beds than you can any of the other systems.The other two systems work best for leafy greens but have a harder time with anything else.

You will have to decide whether you want to use gravel or clay pellets.  Many people pick gravel because it costs less and is easier to get. However, they later come to realize that perhaps gravel was not the best choice.  Gravel is very heavy and you have to keep in mind that you will have the weight of the gravel, as well as, the water and both of these will have an effect on your structure.  Gravel could also affect the pH of your water.  But this will depend on the type of gravel you use.

Clay pellets are a much better choice. Clay pellets are lighter than gravel and won’t affect the pH of your system because the pellets are pH neutral.  Additionally, the pellets retain moisture but will still allow air to get to the plants roots.  This is what makes the clay pellets the preferred product among most people who maintain an aquaponic garden.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

The nutrient film technique is most commonly used in commercial hydroponic applications and is used to grow large quantities of leafy vegetables that have small root systems. The water to feed the plants is pumped through small narrow troughs. The NFT system is generally not used in aquaponics.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

The deep water culture application is much like the NFT system except it doesn’t use a thin film of water it uses a deeper bed of water using a suspended float.  Just like the NTF system there are only a certain types of plants will thrive in a system where their roots  are continually submerged.

Media Filled Grow Beds

The most commonly used growing method in aquaponics is media filled grow beds. With this system the medium,  otherwise known as gravel or clay pellets, is used to suspend the plants. The media from the  grow beds keeps the nutrients where the roots are located.  The gravel or clay also naturally recycles the waste from the fish.

Another benefit from using the media filled grow bed method is the fact that you can grow more of a variety of plants and vegetables.  Actually, you can grow just about anything when you use media filled grow beds than you can any of the other systems.The other two systems work best for leafy greens but have a harder time with anything else.

You will have to decide whether you want to use gravel or clay pellets.  Many people pick gravel because it costs less and is easier to get. However, they later come to realize that perhaps gravel was not the best choice.  Gravel is very heavy and you have to keep in mind that you will have the weight of the gravel, as well as, the water and both of these will have an effect on your structure.  Gravel could also affect the pH of your water.  But this will depend on the type of gravel you use.

Clay pellets are a much better choice. Clay pellets are lighter than gravel and won’t affect the pH of your system because the pellets are pH neutral.  Additionally, the pellets retain moisture but will still allow air to get to the plants roots.  This is what makes the clay pellets the preferred product among most people who maintain an aquaponic garden.

The Three Different Types of Aquaponics Grow Beds Explained

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Judul : The Three Different Types of Aquaponics Grow Beds Explained
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aquaponics media

The ingenuity of the human mind is amazing, and one example of this is aquaponics. Who would imagine that one could grow healthy food without traditional media like soil? You can. And you can do it yourself, easily at home. Aquaponics takes the best of two worlds, hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aquaculture (raising fish, snails, crayfish etc. in water and fuses them together.)  Even more astonishing is the variety of aquaponic methods available for the DIY aquaponics enthusiast. Here is an overview:

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

The nutrient film technique works  by creating an environment where the roots of plants have constant access to a moving stream of nutrient rich water. Imagine plants growing in a shallow “film” of nutrient filled solution and you will get the idea. The great thing about this is that plants have access to a ton of oxygen, more so than they would in traditional soil. The basic structure is that the plants are placed at an angle so that the nutrient solution can loop around and around providing the root systems constant food and oxygen. Overall this is a very viable option for nearly any plant/vegetable you want to grow. However, it is best suited for light plants that grow and will be harvested quickly. Plants like tomatoes and zucchini can be grown, but you have to be sure you have the right support systems for the stems so they plants do not lop over.  This method is generally not used for aquaponics but is commonly used in commercial hydroponic applications.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

The deep water culture method of aquaponics is one that is seemingly counterintuitive. Plants are constantly placed in non-moving water (aka “arrested” water). It seems that this is a disaster waiting to happen. Talk about overwatering and giving roots a chance to rot out! But actually, the fact is that if the environment is the right temperature, has enough oxygen and the right minerals, plants thrive! Who knew?

Usually, plants are “planted” in a Styrofoam platform that sits on top of the water. The tank is deep with lots of room for the plant roots to grow downward. An air pump keeps bubbly oxygen constant and, voila, it is plant nirvana! Any do it yourself aquaponics grower can do this.

Media Filled Grow Beds

This kind of aquaponics looks more “normal”, in the sense that plants are grown in some kind of “stuff”, not just water. This is usually gravel, or expansive clay pellets, but there are many options besides these most popular ones. If you use gravel, the trick to this type of aquaponics is that the media has to not have too much space between the gravel, nor too little so the oxygen balance remains healthy.  You also have to be aware of the weight of the media so that you have a strong enough stand  or bench to place it on. Once this is set up, then water from a fish tank is pumped in to the media. This type of aquaponics is one of the best ways and is preferred by most growers, commercial and individual. Media filled grow beds tend to be preferred because it allows for diversity of the plants you can grow, and is low maintenance.

Aquaponics is an amazing technology that anyone can begin to do at home. It is relatively inexpensive and yields healthy food you can use for your family. Further, it utilizes the basic symbiotic relationships in nature so there is less waste and no chemical pesticides. Aquaponics is a great hobby and an effective way to have alternatives to store-bought food. Get started today! You will be glad you did.

The ingenuity of the human mind is amazing, and one example of this is aquaponics. Who would imagine that one could grow healthy food without traditional media like soil? You can. And you can do it yourself, easily at home. Aquaponics takes the best of two worlds, hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aquaculture (raising fish, snails, crayfish etc. in water and fuses them together.)  Even more astonishing is the variety of aquaponic methods available for the DIY aquaponics enthusiast. Here is an overview:

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

The nutrient film technique works  by creating an environment where the roots of plants have constant access to a moving stream of nutrient rich water. Imagine plants growing in a shallow “film” of nutrient filled solution and you will get the idea. The great thing about this is that plants have access to a ton of oxygen, more so than they would in traditional soil. The basic structure is that the plants are placed at an angle so that the nutrient solution can loop around and around providing the root systems constant food and oxygen. Overall this is a very viable option for nearly any plant/vegetable you want to grow. However, it is best suited for light plants that grow and will be harvested quickly. Plants like tomatoes and zucchini can be grown, but you have to be sure you have the right support systems for the stems so they plants do not lop over.  This method is generally not used for aquaponics but is commonly used in commercial hydroponic applications.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

The deep water culture method of aquaponics is one that is seemingly counterintuitive. Plants are constantly placed in non-moving water (aka “arrested” water). It seems that this is a disaster waiting to happen. Talk about overwatering and giving roots a chance to rot out! But actually, the fact is that if the environment is the right temperature, has enough oxygen and the right minerals, plants thrive! Who knew?

Usually, plants are “planted” in a Styrofoam platform that sits on top of the water. The tank is deep with lots of room for the plant roots to grow downward. An air pump keeps bubbly oxygen constant and, voila, it is plant nirvana! Any do it yourself aquaponics grower can do this.

Media Filled Grow Beds

This kind of aquaponics looks more “normal”, in the sense that plants are grown in some kind of “stuff”, not just water. This is usually gravel, or expansive clay pellets, but there are many options besides these most popular ones. If you use gravel, the trick to this type of aquaponics is that the media has to not have too much space between the gravel, nor too little so the oxygen balance remains healthy.  You also have to be aware of the weight of the media so that you have a strong enough stand  or bench to place it on. Once this is set up, then water from a fish tank is pumped in to the media. This type of aquaponics is one of the best ways and is preferred by most growers, commercial and individual. Media filled grow beds tend to be preferred because it allows for diversity of the plants you can grow, and is low maintenance.

Aquaponics is an amazing technology that anyone can begin to do at home. It is relatively inexpensive and yields healthy food you can use for your family. Further, it utilizes the basic symbiotic relationships in nature so there is less waste and no chemical pesticides. Aquaponics is a great hobby and an effective way to have alternatives to store-bought food. Get started today! You will be glad you did.

Planting Media in Aquaponics System

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Judul : Planting Media in Aquaponics System
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aquaponics media

Aquaponic planting media is media in which plants are grown in aquaponics system.  This media act like soil for the plants in traditional farming. There are some aquaponic planting media that commonly use, those are raft, MFT and media filled beds.

Raft method (float, deep channel)

This system use polystyrene board as raft that floating on the water to grow the plants. Usually this raft is located in tank that separate from fish tank.  Water from fish tank flow thru water filtration unit before come to raft tank where the plants are grown, and flow back to fish tank.  The useful microorganism are living in raft tank and entire system.  It became one of raft system advantages

NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

NFT is methodology to grown plants in small and long channels.  Water rich in nutrients and oxygen supplied to the plants thru a thin layer of water.  Just like raft method, water runs continuously from fish tank to purification elements and then to the plants that grown on NFT channels, and flow back to fish tank.

Media-filled bed

This method use a container with growing media inside it like lava rock or gravel called as growbed.  Fish tank water flooded the growbed in specific time interval to give nutrient to the plants.  After that water flow back to fish tank.  The waste from fish tank is broken down in this growbed.  This system need no purification element, and simple since use less elements.

So, what is the function of growbed.  Its function is to:

• Provide plants with place to grow and spin their roots
• Keep the temperature around the roots of plants
• Provide media for nitrifying microorganisms to build their colony
• Serves as water filtration element
• As a home for useful earthworm

There are also some consideration to choose prefect growbed for your aquaponic system:

• Media should not break down easily, since it will make the water turbid and change pH and nutrients.
• Must have neutral pH
• Free from contaminants in order to keep water quality
• Can drain the water well to ensure the root don't get waterlogged.
• Have good shape so that oxygen can circulate properly
• Size of grow media must be perfect.  If it is too small it will clogged up easily by waste and will cause of bad circulation of water and air for the root.  If it is too big it will prevent the plant to grow upright.

Then, what material you can use for your growbed?

Expanded Clay Pebbles - a type of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)

LECA is clay-based pellet that grows whenever soaked and it is soil-like layer that root base can simply expand in to.  Furthermore, the pebbles tend to be comparatively sleek, easy to handle by hand and suitable for sensitive root base.  It relatively have wide surface that is good for microorganism to live and grow.  Have neutral pH, won't have an impact on the water, hence detrimentally impacting on plant progress. It can drain easily that is good for roots to have oxygen.

Lava Rock

Lava rock is very common to use since it availability and low cost.  It is lightweight and porous material with irregular shape

River gravel or river stone

In general river gravel is cheap and readily media.  Its high density make it easy to support tall plants.  On the other side of the gravel cannot hold water well, heavy and has a small surface area, so it cannot properly support the microorganisms.

Which media is the best?

This would depend on your situations, location and what kind of plant will be planted.  LECA is the most popular, it is slightly expensive.  Whenever possible it is good to use lava rock since it have same benefit with less cost.  River gravel is also common because of its availability around the world and its low cost

Aquaponic planting media is media in which plants are grown in aquaponics system.  This media act like soil for the plants in traditional farming. There are some aquaponic planting media that commonly use, those are raft, MFT and media filled beds.

Raft method (float, deep channel)

This system use polystyrene board as raft that floating on the water to grow the plants. Usually this raft is located in tank that separate from fish tank.  Water from fish tank flow thru water filtration unit before come to raft tank where the plants are grown, and flow back to fish tank.  The useful microorganism are living in raft tank and entire system.  It became one of raft system advantages

NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

NFT is methodology to grown plants in small and long channels.  Water rich in nutrients and oxygen supplied to the plants thru a thin layer of water.  Just like raft method, water runs continuously from fish tank to purification elements and then to the plants that grown on NFT channels, and flow back to fish tank.

Media-filled bed

This method use a container with growing media inside it like lava rock or gravel called as growbed.  Fish tank water flooded the growbed in specific time interval to give nutrient to the plants.  After that water flow back to fish tank.  The waste from fish tank is broken down in this growbed.  This system need no purification element, and simple since use less elements.

So, what is the function of growbed.  Its function is to:

• Provide plants with place to grow and spin their roots
• Keep the temperature around the roots of plants
• Provide media for nitrifying microorganisms to build their colony
• Serves as water filtration element
• As a home for useful earthworm

There are also some consideration to choose prefect growbed for your aquaponic system:

• Media should not break down easily, since it will make the water turbid and change pH and nutrients.
• Must have neutral pH
• Free from contaminants in order to keep water quality
• Can drain the water well to ensure the root don't get waterlogged.
• Have good shape so that oxygen can circulate properly
• Size of grow media must be perfect.  If it is too small it will clogged up easily by waste and will cause of bad circulation of water and air for the root.  If it is too big it will prevent the plant to grow upright.

Then, what material you can use for your growbed?

Expanded Clay Pebbles - a type of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)

LECA is clay-based pellet that grows whenever soaked and it is soil-like layer that root base can simply expand in to.  Furthermore, the pebbles tend to be comparatively sleek, easy to handle by hand and suitable for sensitive root base.  It relatively have wide surface that is good for microorganism to live and grow.  Have neutral pH, won't have an impact on the water, hence detrimentally impacting on plant progress. It can drain easily that is good for roots to have oxygen.

Lava Rock

Lava rock is very common to use since it availability and low cost.  It is lightweight and porous material with irregular shape

River gravel or river stone

In general river gravel is cheap and readily media.  Its high density make it easy to support tall plants.  On the other side of the gravel cannot hold water well, heavy and has a small surface area, so it cannot properly support the microorganisms.

Which media is the best?

This would depend on your situations, location and what kind of plant will be planted.  LECA is the most popular, it is slightly expensive.  Whenever possible it is good to use lava rock since it have same benefit with less cost.  River gravel is also common because of its availability around the world and its low cost