Commercial aquaculture methods would not be practical for the average aquaponics hobbyist to use to grow their own fresh produce. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do in your backyard to grow a decent aquaponic garden. This extremely efficient method has gained popularity due to the versatility and simplicity of its system. Also, it does not require a huge area to set up the system and get it up and running.
What is aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a type of gardening method that has been around for nearly four decades. This system eliminates the need for large amounts of space, water and chemicals. It is a combination of aquaculture, which is fish farming, and hydroponics, which is water-based agriculture. The system synthesizes the best products of both methods.
How a DIY aquaponics system works
To briefly describe how it works; the system is composed of culture beds and fish tanks. Freshwater fish such as tilapia or trout are placed in the fish tank. The water in the tank is then oxygenated through a basic circulation system, which allows the fish to thrive and reproduce.
Fish feed pellets or other natural fish food are then used to feed the fish. When the fish begin to consume the food, they will begin to produce waste. Waste from fish and unused fish food mixes into the water and accumulates in the tank. These wastes become nutrients and food sources for plants. Grow beds, which contain vegetables and fruits, filter the water from the tank and return it to the tank. This cycle is repeated over and over again, keeping the water in the fish tank clean. This keeps the fish in the tank healthy and the plants in the grow bed well-grown.
do it yourself aquaponics tips
A DIY aquaponics system is simple enough to set up at home, either indoors or outdoors. There are many ways to build an aquaponics system. However, there are several important aspects and tips to keep in mind when creating this system from scratch.
Deciding which technique to use
Aquaponics generally comes in three main versions: deep pond technique, nutrient film technique, and media-based technique. Choose the best one that suits your budget and needs. Traditionally, homeowners have used the media-based technique for their backyard. However, if you want to farm, the deep raft technique or nutrient film technique will work best for you.
Level your drainage system
The aquaponics system works with water. Therefore, it is important to ensure that excess water is drained regularly and that both the tank and the grow bed are properly aligned for optimal growth.
Insulate your greenhouse
It is also important to use a well-insulated unit for your DIY aquaponics garden. Some owners use masonry such as bricks to keep the heat inside the tank. The trick is to find a system that allows the water to penetrate into the ground.
Use Proper Aquaponics Tanks
To achieve a level of balance, controlled environment, it is recommended to use fish tanks that are made of polyurethane. The best ratio is to make use of a 700 gallon fish tank for every two grow beds.
Height and width of the cultivation beds.
It is also important to consider the height and width of the growing beds that will be used. Make sure it’s high enough for the plants to get adequate sunlight and it should be at a level that’s not too low or too high for you to reach. The size of the growing beds mainly affects the growth of the plants.
For beginners, start with small grow beds to minimize initial mistakes. This allows you to decide which Aquaponics setup will work best for you. Once you feel comfortable with the system, you can always expand its size.
In general, a DIY aquaponics system is not as difficult to do as you might think. Setting it up is a piece of cake. However, you have to do it correctly to ensure that it is profitable. Otherwise, you will end up spending more time, effort, and cost to maintain the wrong system.