Aquaponics is growing fish and plants 

Aquaponics is growing fish and plants using the same water source. The plants clean the water that goes back to the fish. Then the fish waste goes back to the plants, using a pump. The beneficial bacteria gather in the spaces between the roots of the plants so they can grow.

Aquaponics is a big hope for sustainable organic crop production. The fish waste is recycled and used for plant growth. The water is recirculated in a closed system and by doing so, you will use less water to grow the crops. The goal is self-sustainability. The more food you can grow the less you need to buy at the store.

 

Aquaponics
How an Aquaponics system works
(PHOTO COURTESY ENACTUS)

My experience with aquaponics has had mostly good results, but I have learned a few lessons the hard way. For example, When raising tilapia I found that for them to reproduce, I had to keep the water temperature in the high 70’s. It’s hard to farm and raise tilapia without females, as well.

When I first bought fingerlings from a tilapia farm, I was told that I was getting an 80/20 mix of males and females. I bought 100 fish. After about a year, I noticed that 3 out of the hundred were mostly white. These we the females. So I isolated them into different tanks. After the 4th year, I had 3 generations of fish.

Basic set up

My next learning experience was always to use air pumps. That way if a pump goes out the fish aren’t stressed for air. I lost A tank worth of fish due to this problem. Consequently, I now check each of my air stones to make sure the right amount of air is coming out.

The most expensive item to set up my aquaponics system was the clay pebbles I used to grow the plants in. I had to buy some trays, a 1000 GPH water pump, filter box, water heater, PVC tubing, PVC valves Air pumps, and more tubing. Eventually, it all came together. I will have a video of my setup available soon. As well as a shopping list of the items I purchased to get up and running. Most people don’t have the space for a large fish tank, so I also recommend Hydroponics. 

Need more information? click here