Getting Started With Aquaponics

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Before уоu drive dоwn tо уоur local hardware store оr Home Depot fоr supplies, wе hаvе tо fіrѕt discuss whаt еxасtlу іѕ involved іn aquaponics.

Aquaponics combines thе bеѕt traits оf traditional aquaculture аnd thе mоrе modern approach tо growing plants   hydroponics. Mаnу enthusiasts аnd professional practitioners attest tо thе fact thаt aquaponics eliminates thе disadvantages оf thе twо older systems bесаuѕе еvеrуthіng bесоmеѕ cleaner аnd easier tо maintain.

A balanced system

In order fоr аnу biological system tо thrive, thеrе muѕt bе balance. An aquaponics system іѕ nо exception.

Balance wіthіn thіѕ kind оf biological system іѕ achieved thrоugh thе interaction оf thrее key players: thе fish, thе plants, аnd thе bacteria. That s rіght   wіthоut thе bacteria, аn aquaponics system wіll simply nоt work. (Or іt wіll tаkе ten times mоrе work tо sustain it!)

Here s whаt hарреnѕ whеn уоu hаvе аn aquaponics system іn place:

In оnе part оf thе system, freshwater fish (such аѕ tilapia) swim аrоund іn аbоut оnе thousand tо twо thousand liters оf water. Whеn уоu feed thе fish, thеу produce waste material. Unused fish feed аlѕо bесоmеѕ part оf thе waste іn thе water. Yоur fish wіll аlѕо produce а chemical knоwn аѕ ammonia.

After а whіlе (as уоu саn imagine), thе water іn оnе part оf thе system bесоmеѕ quіtе dirty bесаuѕе thе fish continually produce waste matter аnd ammonia.

That s whеrе bacteria соmе tо thе rescue. Yоu see, оvеr time naturally occurring microbes bеgіn tо grow іn thе water. Bacteria ѕuсh аѕ nitrobacter аrе capable оf breaking dоwn thе ammonia thаt іѕ bеіng continually produced bу thе fish.

Once thе bacteria hаvе dоnе thеіr part іn decomposing thе ammonia (which саn саuѕе toxicity іn thе water), nitrates аrе produced. Nitrates аrе byproducts thаt uѕuаllу occur іn aquariums аnd оthеr aquatic systems. In high amounts, nitrates саn аlѕо саuѕе problems bесаuѕе thеѕе byproducts саn encourage thе growth оf unwanted vegetation іn thе water.

And that s whеrе thе plants соmе іn tо balance thе system оnсе again. Plants hаvе nо trouble аt аll handling nitrates. Nitrates аrе natural nutrients fоr plants.

So іn оnе part оf аn aquaponics system, уоu hаvе thе fish whісh produce ammonia (and consequently, nitrates). In аnоthеr part оf thе system, уоu hаvе thе plants thаt literally absorb thе nitrates аnd оthеr waste products іn thе water. All thе undesirable waste thаt соmеѕ frоm thе fish section оf thе system іѕ utilized bу thе plants ѕо thаt thе plants grow. Water frоm thе fish section іѕ circulated ѕо thаt thе plants аrе аblе tо filter аnd clean thе water ѕеvеrаl times реr day.

The beauty оf аn aquaponic system іѕ thаt уоu hаvе аn all-natural biological filter operating 24 hours а day, 7 days а week. Yоur fish nеvеr suffer frоm thе difficulties оf living іn а closed system bесаuѕе уоu аlwауѕ hаvе plants tо hеlр carry аwау thе waste аnd detoxify thе water. Ovеr а period оf time, thе system wіll achieve а natural state оf biological balance аnd аll уоu hаvе tо dо іѕ tо monitor water levels аnd ensure thаt thеrе іѕ nо overcrowding іn thе fish tank.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aquaponics

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1.  What plants can be grown in an aquaponics system?

Early research indicated that leafy plants and vegetables such as lettuce, chives, etc. did best in an aquaponics system.  However, more recent research shows that many more varieties such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons, herbs, etc. also do very well in an aquaponics system.

2.  What types of fish can be used in an aquaponics system?

Tilapia, a fresh water fish, is the most common because of its hardiness and its ability to tolerate a wide variety of water quality conditions.  Click Here to learn more about additional fish varieties that can be used successfully in an aquponics system. One word of caution though, you will need to check with your local fish and waterways department to find out if they have any restrictions on what types of fish you can use in your system.  Many states have very strict restrictions that must be followed.

3.  How many fish can I  put in my tank?

The number of fish you can use will depend on how big of a tank and filtration system you have.  A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 pound of fish for each gallon of water.

4.  How many fish will it take to nourish my plants?

The number of fish you will need to nourish your plants will again depend on the size of your fish and how much you feed them each day.  Research shows that if you use 60-100 grams of fish food each day, you will be able to support a one square meter of plants in a raft aquaponics bed.

5.  What do I feed my fish?

If you will be raising your fish for food production, you will want to feed your fish a species specific commercial fish food.  If you won’t be using your fish for food production you can make your own fish food or use things such as Duck weed, water lettuce, worms or any other type of similar live feed.

6.  What types of containers should I use?

It’s important that you only use food grade plastic containers.  Anything else could leach chemicals into your water system and cause harm to you and your fish.

7.  Do I need a greenhouse?

Whether or not you need a greenhouse depends on where you live.  Of course, you can always use a greenhouse if that’s what you choose to do.  However, you don’t have to use a greenhouse unless you live in a climate where a greenhouse would be required for the yearround growth and protection of your system.  Additionally, even in a topical location, a greenhouse can be helpful in protecting your plants from hard driving rains, high winds and insects.

8.  Can I use my aquaponics system indoors?

Yes, many people build and maintain their system inside of their homes, basements, garages, etc. but you will need to make sure your system is set up to allow for the indoor conditions such as artificial lighting, etc.

9.  How much power does an aquaponics system use?

How much power an aquaponics system will use depends on how elaborate your system is; however, generally a water pump and the air pump together use about 25 watts.

10.  Can I feed animal droppings to my fish.

No.  Animal droppings could contain e-coli and could contaminate your system.

11.  How much time do I need to spend each day maintaining my system?

Once you have completed the setup, the daily maintenance is only about five minutes.  And that mainly consists of feeding the fish and quickly checking to make sure all your pumps are running correctly.

12.  Do I ever need to change out the gravel, the pebbles or the water?

No, you don’t; however, a small portion of the water will be lost due to evaporation therefore you will need to add water from time to time.

13.  Can I use shrimp or crawfish in my system?

We don’t recommend it because the shrimp will eat anything and everything including your plants.  Additionally, shrimp have a tendency to crawl from bed to bed making them hard to contain.

14.  Can I setup my aquaponics system using solar power?

Yes, you can easily hook up a solar panel and a battery.

15.  Can I use pesticides to kill the bugs?

No.  Pesticides will kill your fish.

16.  How do I control the bugs?

Some people successfully use lady bugs.  Or you could use mix together a quarter cup of molasses, one teaspoon of chili power and about four to five drops of dish soap in a gallon of water and spray it on your plants.  There are other natural options that can easily be found with a quick search on the internet.

Easiest DIY Aquaponics Systems

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DIY Aquaponics system ensures regular supply of fresh, healthy, organic fruits, vegetables and fish to the family and also enables to save considerable amount of money. Instead of buying the readymade systems those who opt for the DIY system are able to save up to 75% of the cost. Moreover those who opt for the DIY system can learn more about aquaponics and can have the satisfaction of managing the aquaponics system independently.

The fundamental aspects of the aquaponics system are that water flows from the fish tank to the grow bed and again sent back to the fish tank and re-circulated. The fish species are nurtured in the fish tank and the plants are nurtured in the grow bed. The basic fact about aquaponics is that in this method the plants are grown without using soil. The plants receive constant supply of nutrients and water from the fish tank. Farm produce from the plants and fish from the fish tank are the benefits one can get from aquaponics systems. This is an organic way of farming. Hence no chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are used in this method. Mainly, vegetables, fruits, leafy vegetables and herbs are cultivated using this method.

Primary components

Those who want to try the DIY aquaponics system will find it very simple and easy. Moreover, in due course, one can easily change the design, expand the system or make necessary adjustments so as to meet specific requirements. While making the aquaponics system, one can decide the size of the system and accordingly arrange for the materials.

There are a few components that are common for all designs, types and sizes. The common components are fish tank, garden, sump tank and pump. The fish tank is used for growing fish. The fish waste from the fish tank is pumped into the garden in order to nourish the plants. The plants are grown in the garden.  The garden has its own watering system and water and nutrients are supplied to the garden from the fish tank. The sump tank is at the lo-west level in an aquaponics system. Prior to re-circulation the water is collected in the sump tank from the garden. The pump directs the flow of water in an aquaponics system from one part to the other.

Secondary components

The secondary components that are required to make the DIY aquaponics system include air pumps, tubes, plant trays, media and timers. Filters, fish and plants are the final requirements of the system.

Location

In case the DIY aquaponics system is to be kept indoors, 5-6 hours sunlight is essential every day. Hence any place inside the house is suitable provided, there is sufficient sunlight.  In case of inadequate sunlight, a hydroponic grow light may be provided. Garage, basement, front room, spare room and kitchen are the usual locations for indoor aquaponics systems. When the DIY aquaponics system is for the outdoors, the backyard is the ideal location. Veranda, porch and balcony are also suitable locations for aquaponics system.

Fish, crayfish and prawns are the usual aquatic animals that can be grown in the DIY aquaponics system.

Don't Build A Home Aquaponics System Until You've Read This

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Judul : Don't Build A Home Aquaponics System Until You've Read This
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Nowadays, the food articles are grown extensively on a massive commercial level by using various poisonous chemicals and pesticides. Farmer just thinks of their profit compromising a lot with the nutrition level of the food. We can surely find a better way out in order to get something healthier and safe for our family. Home Aquaponics is the best alternative to this.

Home Aquaponics basically deals with the procedure of food production that simply combines 
hydroponics (culturing plant in water) and aquaculture (which deals with rearing of aquatic animals like fishes and prawn etc. in a tank) in a symbiotic system. It involves a circulation of water between both the systems.

1. Principle of a do-it yourself home aquaponic system:

Whole of the system works on a very simple cycle that works like this. Fish produce excreta as their waste material. Bacteria are self-sufficient in converting this waste in advantageous plant nutrients. Now is the role of plant, they grow using these nutrients and in return makes the water clean and reusable for the fish tank.

2. Aquaponics Maintenance

 It takes nearly 6 weeks to make a new system get establish and work properly. It’s mainly the time required by the bacteria to breed and colonize itself in the media. The ammonia converting bacteria first undergo multiplication in order to cope up with the influx of poisonous ammonia produce in fish waste. They turn it into nitrite. Now nitrite converting bacteria will convert this nitrite into nitrate.

It’s really important to become a keen and patient observant in order to establish a new system. You must take care of all the crucial water parameters before the stabilization of the system. It’s very essential to gather knowledge about the relationship between the plants, bacteria and fishes. Keep a regular check on the environmental changes as it may leads to an overall imbalance to the system.

3. Benefits of DIY Aquaponics:

Home Aquaponics can be considered as a wave of future that will feed you and your family with fresh and healthy food without the use of pesticides and harmful chemical substances. It’s a cost effective way to subtract the hazardous content of the food and get benefitted with the energy efficient and nutritious meal for you and your family. In our modern society it can be regarded as a huge effort to promote environment-friendly practices.

Out of the no of ways it is considered as the most economical one. You can use your own ideas to make the best use of it according to the need of your house.  You can add beauty to your house by growing strawberry patches along with your fish tank in a very decorative appeal. Indoor herb garden in association with fish tank is another fascinating idea. It is an awesome way to make the fish tank fresh and clean without investing any extra time or effort. It provides you the pleasure of having fresh fruits and also adds natural beauty to your house too.

Do You Really Need Worms In Your Aquaponics System

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Do you really need worms in your aquaponics system? Well, the answer is yes. If you want a more balanced and maintenance free system.  Adding worms to your aquaponics system is a great way to get rid of the waste that you don’t want in your system. Worms won’t hurt your plants or your fish in any way. All they do is help your system to function more efficiently.

One thing to keep in mind when adding worms to your aquaponics kit it that you can’t just go to your backyard and dig up some worms. Nor can you buy just any old worms and expect them to live.  The recommended worms for your aquaponic system are red worms.  Otherwise known as the red worm, brandling worm, pinfish worm, trout worm, tiger worm, red wiggler worm or the red Californian earth worm.  If you use most any other type of earthworm, they will die.

These red worms will break down the solid waste from your fish, your plants and anything else that produces solid waste and will make those solid wastes more bio-available.  This will prevent you from the frequent cleaning and filtering of your system.  For example:  a healthy 12 inch deep grow bed will only need to be cleansed approximately every five years or so. 

By adding worms to your aquaponic grow beds,  you will help to prevent plant diseases, including tomato worms, mealy bugs, spider mites and aphids, just to name a few.   This occurs because of the vermicompost and the “tea” that comes from soaking vermicompost in a highly oxygenated moist environment.   Red worms thrive in environments that have high moisture content and rich organic matter, which describes an aquaponics system perfectly. 

Additionally, studies have shown that vermicomposting can lower the levels of pathogens in waste and help reduce the pathogens that could affect the human body. 

Now you know that red worms are extremely beneficial to your aquaponics garden, you probably want to know how many worms you will need.  Well, that depends on how large your system is of course.  But one pound of red worms should be able to process approximately  1/2 pound of food waste each day. 

Red worms are not expensive; however, you do need to take some precautions when buying them.  For example:  red worms can introduce diseases into your system.  Therefore, you should clean them off thoroughly before adding them to your aquaponics kit.  It’s best to put your worms into a separate moist environment for about 24 hours and then wash them off again.  The bacteria they were carrying will be purged from their system and be completely safe once the bacteria has passed through their system.  A wetted down corn meal mixture is great to use for the 24 hour purging process. 

Here are a few other things you should know before you begin.  Red worms don’t require a deep area in order to survive.  A large surface area is more important than the depth.  If you’re using a light, a regular light will harm your worms but a red light won’t.  Therefore, it’s recommended that you use a red light for your system.  The red worm eggs look like small straw colored lemons.  So don’t panic if you see this in your system. 

Well that’s about it for whether or not you should add worms to your aquaponics systems.  So keep that in mind whether your purchasing an aquaponics kit for the first time or whether you already have an established aquaponics system set up.   Adding worms is very beneficial to your plants and your fish and will save you time and money in cleaning and maintenance costs. 

Different Types Of Fish For Your Aquaponics Garden

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Buying fish for your aquaponics system can be tricky.  It is extremely important that you research the law in your area before proceeding with purchasing fish for your system.   There are some species of fish that are prohibited in certain States and around the world.  And sometimes you will be required to obtain a permit for your chosen fish and your aquaponics system.  So do your homework before you begin.

Just about any type of fresh water fish can be used in your aquaponics system.  However, it would be best if you use the fish that are climate tolerant to your area.  The next thing you need to consider is if you want to raise the fish as a food source or not. 

The following are some edible fish that do well in an aquaponics system:

• Tilapia – these grow very fast and can tolerate poor water conditions, they do best in temperatures that stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t survive in a climate below 50 degrees
• Trout – these fish will eat smaller fish so you have to be careful of what else you put into your tank with them, they prefer temperatures somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit
• Catfish – these do best in temperatures around 70 to 85 degrees  Fahrenheit but can withstand a wide variety of temperatures without being harmed

The following are some non-edible fish that do well in an aquaponics system:

• Carp – in some areas Carp are eaten as a food source, they are similar to Koi and Goldfish
• Koi  – these fish are very tolerant to the cold and can survive in water temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, they can also handle low oxygen levels and low water quality as well
• Goldfish – just like the Koi, these fish are very tolerant to the cold and can survive in water temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit , they can also handle low oxygen levels and low water quality as well
• Bluegills – these fish do best in warm water around 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit

Other warm water fish to consider are:

• Sunfish
• Pumpkinseed
• Black or White Crappie
• Ozark Bass
• Sacramento Perch
• Warmouth

Other cold water fish to consider are Arctic Char, Silver or Yellow Perch or Cod and Salmon.  However, Cod and Salmon must have very fresh, cold water to survive and they don’t do well in recirculation systems so it’s best that you find another alternative unless you can meet their specific needs.

One other thing to remember is that when you use cold water fish, you will limit your selection of plants.  Some plants will not tolerate the cold temperatures that are required for cold water fish to thrive.

How Many Fish Do You Need?

The number of fish you should use will depend on the number of grow beds you have set up and how much water you will be using.  You should use about six to ten fish per grow bed.  Additionally, you should use four gallons of water for each pound of fish in your tank. Keep in mind that all of this depends on what type of fish you decide to use.  Because each different species of fish will grow to varying sizes and react differently to each type of environment. Therefore, if you only have a small grow bed and a small tank, you aren’t going to want to use fish that will grow to a large size or they will outgrow your tank.