The combination of fish cultivation in an aquarium and plant cultivation in water is known as ‘Aquaponics’, a term derived from the words ‘aquaculture’ and ‘hydroponics’.
The fundamental concept behind this combination is the circulation of water from the aquarium to the “grow bed” and its subsequent purification through the hydroponic system, allowing plants to receive essential nutrients. As each system compensates for the deficiencies of the other, this results in a clear aquarium and homegrown organic food. Now, let’s delve deeper into what this entails.
Definition of Aquaponics
Aquaponics is described as a method of aquaculture which involves nourishing hydroponically cultivated plants with the waste products of the bred fish. These plants subsequently cleanse the water in your tank. This outcome allows for an affordable, environmentally conscious fish tank and the ability to grow food in a confined area simultaneously.
The practical Aquaponics system is gaining popularity as an alternative to classical gardening in urban areas. It is accessible to anyone and can produce higher food yields in the comfort of one’s home.
There are many advantages to undertaking this type of vegetable farming.
- Anyone can make this system
- There is a possibility to design and install home aquarium aquaponics in every apartment, no matter how small it is
- It is a clean, closed system for growing both fish and plants
- It saves water thanks to its re-using
- It is a soil-free system and doesn’t exhaust soil nutrients
- It doesn’t use pesticides
- It is an eco-friendly system and doesn’t pollute the environment
- There is no waste
- There is no fear of deforestation in order to provide new arable land
- It requires very little work
Although professional aquaponic systems come at a high cost, with a little bit of innovation, passion, and a modest pump, you can create a home-based aquaponics setup.
How to DIY the Aquaponics System
Before you begin the installation of this system in your household, it is crucial to contemplate a handful of significant matters:
Environmental factors
It is important to contemplate any potential difficulties and how to address them prior to system installation.
- Humidity – Since aquaponics is a system with constant water flow through its two parts, you need to count on the natural evaporation and consequential increased moisture in your space. Also, you need to heat the water in your aquarium. When the air in the apartment is cooler, or there is poor air circulation, the temperature difference will cause extra humidity.
- Water spillage – The fact is that aquaponics can leak no matter how careful you will be with water. Therefore, the room where you want to create this system should be waterproof and without the stuff that water can damage. Be careful with the electric appliances you use near the aquarium. Be prepared in advance for possible spillages.
- Lighting – Even though the HIDs system (high-intensity discharge system) spends a lot of energy, it proved to be the best for use in the apartment.
Your objective should be to follow ecological principles while acknowledging that no system is flawless. For instance, if you opt for aquaponics, expect to have increased electricity costs.
Components of the aquaponics system
In order to acquire a system that works effectively, it’s essential to purchase certain components.
Aquarium designed for aquaponics.
For those who are beginners and wish to cultivate their plants in a compact system, a conventional fish tank (constructed from either glass or plastic) can be utilized. Additionally, containers such as tanks, tubs, or barrels can be fashioned into this system.
For an efficient professional aquaponics system, the ideal ratio is one pound (0.45 kg) of fish per gallon (3.8 l) of water. However, if you are a beginner, it is advisable to allocate ten gallons (10 l) of water for each fish.
Based on my personal experience and conversations with those who like to do things themselves, it seems that a 55-gallon (208 l) barrel is commonly used as a starting point. The outcome of the process will be determined by your own abilities, determination, and skillset.
Grow trays, also known as flood trays.
The foundation of your future ‘garden’ relies on the size of your aquarium. The number of plants you can cultivate directly corresponds to the number of fish in your aquarium. Initially, you can expect to have one plant per fish.
A bed to cultivate plants in.
The grow bed is essentially a large container that is resistant to water, used for the growth of plants. It can be purchased or constructed by oneself. The basic design of a grow bed is a wooden box that is six to ten inches (15-25.5 cm) in depth, lined with the rim of an aquarium, and containing a soil-free medium.
Alter the wording of the following passage while preserving the original sense: Increase the planting medium.
The intention is to assist in the drainage, aeration, and maintenance of your aquaponic setup. You may utilize a blend of perlite, coco coir, and fine gravel in equal measures or select stones and clay pebbles for their ornamental qualities, as favored by numerous individuals.
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Anything that is sizable enough to hold your system, such as concrete blocks, shelves, or a table, may be employed. The sole requirement is to ensure the framework is robust enough to bear the grow bed’s weight.
Pipes, also known as siphons,
The essential systems required for transferring filtered water from the grow bed to the fish tank are: the most dependable ones.
- Ebb and Flow
- Bell siphons
- Piping drains
Pumps for water
By conveying water from your fish tank to the grow bed, the plants can utilize aquarium liquid that is rich in nutrients due to the fish waste and will not require fresh water.
Furthermore, the transfer of filtered water from the growth bed to the fish tank will facilitate the establishment of a closed loop for this self-reliant setup. To achieve a fully self-sustainable system, the installation of a pump that runs on solar power is necessary. The following materials are required:
- Water pumps that will ensure that water continually flows throughout your system
- Air pumps that will provide oxygen to your aquarium
can be used to measure a specific duration or to trigger an action after a certain amount of time has passed. One can utilize timers either for measuring a specific time period or for initiating an action once a particular duration has elapsed.
While certain aquaponics systems may not require timers, acquiring one becomes necessary for those opting for more intricate and advanced designs. The decision to use a fundamental or multifaceted timer depends entirely on the individual and the specific system they wish to establish.
The device used to add air to water or other liquids in order to improve taste, clarity, or smell is called an aerator.
Your fish will receive an adequate amount of oxygen from this crucial hardware.
Best Fish for Your Aquaponics
Selecting the appropriate fish species is crucial for your aquaponics system as they are the primary source of vital nutrients for your plants. Insufficient fish in your system can result in nutrient deficiency. Hence, you must meticulously choose the right fish varieties for your aquarium, considering factors like:
- The type of aquaponics system
- Water temperature
- The region you live
- The kind of plants you want to grow
For small-scale indoor aquaponics intended for veggie production, any fish from your aquarium should suffice as your aim is simply to utilize their waste as opposed to consuming the fish themselves. You can opt to select highly coveted breeds such as Koi fish, goldfish, guppies, or angelfish to add an aesthetically appealing touch to your aquaponics setup.
When you determine that aquaponics is more than a hobby, select fish that are suitable for your climate. If you live in a warm area with water temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 F (26.7-32 C), consider Channel Catfish, Barramundi, Tilapia, or Jade Perch. However, keep in mind that they cannot tolerate temperatures below 72 F (22 C).
If your location cannot offer the appropriate warm water for these unique animals, it would be best to opt for cold water fish instead. White bass, trout, or carp would be the ideal choices for places where the water temperature never exceeds 70 F (21 C).
Ideal fish species for the aquaponics setup include:
- Tilapia – It is the most desirable tropical species for small-scale systems due to its excellent growth rate, high tolerance to imperfect water conditions, and a harvestable size of one pound (0.45 kg) in six months.
- Catfish – They tolerate cold climates, but keep in mind that you need to provide warmer water if you want young fish to develop properly and be healthy.
- Yellow perch – It is a pretty common species for aquaponics systems because it can put on growth at lower water temperatures.
Best Plants for Your Aquaponics
A variety of herbs (chives, basil, mint, dill, or parsley), vegetables (kale, cabbage, chard, lettuce, arugula, or spinach), fruits (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries), and indoor plants (philodendron, anthodium, dieffenbachia, or dracaena) can thrive in your aquaponics garden. Steer clear of planting underground-growing vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
If you decide to cultivate tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or eggplants, it is important to note that they require ample nutrients and warmer temperatures. Conversely, lettuce and cabbage thrive in cooler environments. To summarize, the most favorable outcomes can be achieved by selecting plants that are well-suited to the climate of your area.
The most effective method entails using jiffy cubes (grow cubes) for planting seeds, but transplanting seedlings is also an option if preferred. It is vital to cleanse all soil residue from the roots and eradicate any pest insects from the leaves.
Remember to include aquatic plants in your fish tank to replicate a natural habitat for your beloved fish.
DIY Rain Gutter Aquaponic System
A highly cost-effective and productive gardening suggestion is presented here. Morningstar Fishermen’s brilliant concept of merging aquaponics and vertical gardening through a simple yet accessible DIY rain gutter can be executed with ease.
Planters placed inside gutters are highly convenient and can be effortlessly affixed to a wall or suspended from an overhang or balcony to create immediate garden containers that can be easily arranged in a “stacked” formation.
This idea is utilized in this specific arrangement, along with the extra advantage of incorporating aquaponic cultivation, where the essential water and nutrients for the plants’ optimal growth are supplied by a fish tank situated beneath the setup.
The mechanism functions by lifting water from a ground-level aquarium towards the highest gutter, which then empties the water into the gutter positioned beneath it via a hole.
The water circulates continuously through each gutter before returning to the fish tank through the bottom gutter. Closed-loop gardening systems like this consume lesser water compared to other methods while benefitting from the natural fertilization provided by the fish.
To construct this system, you will require 3 aluminum gutters that are 10 feet long, 3 coupling adapters, a rubber hose, a fish tank, a small fountain pump, approximately 4 feet of PVC pipe, silicon sealer, 4-inch plastic pots for the plants, and growing medium.
It is possible to create a 3-tiered system with these materials, but if desired, it is also possible to add more layers. The length of the hose required will vary according to the height of the highest gutter.
To achieve a Z-shaped flow of water through the gutters, start setting up the system by creating a hole at the bottom of every gutter, on the side opposite to the one where the above gutter’s hole is located.
Trim the PVC pipe to sizes that are slightly smaller than the space between the gutters once they’re set up on the wall. Connect the pipe pieces to the hole drilled in each gutter using the adapter and silicone. Once the silicone is completely dry, install the gutters on the wall.
After fixing the gutters to the wall, position the tank beneath them and introduce the fish. Connect the hose to the pump located in the tank and extend it to the uppermost gutter. Then, plant the pots containing the grow medium with the desired plants and set them in the gutters.
The system illustrated in this case employs a growth medium consisting of coconut fiber and Biochar in a 3:1 proportion, but almost any lightweight substance appropriate for aquaponic cultivation is suitable.
Several of these resources are available at a discounted price or at no cost. Second-hand building supply stores or Craigslist may have gutters in stock. A fish tank can be fashioned from any material that can safely accommodate fish.
