Aquaponics: (2-In-1 Book Set) an Introduction to Aquaculture - an Introduction to Aquaponic Gardening (Aquaponics, Gardening, Fish Farming, Hydroponics, Vegetables, Aquaculture, Off the Grid) by Kenn Christenson & Dean Deschain

Author:Kenn Christenson & Dean Deschain [Christenson, Kenn & Deschain, Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Crafts; Hobbies & Home, Gardening & Landscape Design, Garden Design, Science & Math, Nature & Ecology, Natural Resources, Fisheries & Aquaculture, 90 Minutes (44-64 Pages), Gardening & Horticulture, Professional & Technical, Professional Science, Agricultural Sciences, fish farming, hydroponics, gardening, off the grid, aquaponics, aquaculture, vegetables
Amazon: B00WY5CPY8
Published: 2015-04-29T05:00:00+00:00

-Dean

The Basics

Before we discuss the natural components which are plants and fish, I think it would be helpful to start with the process and the materials you will need. Aquaponics is a means to utilize the waste product i.e. fish poop, pee, etc., and utilize the same to feed edible plants. The plant that is fed, together with the system cleans the water from nitrates, ammonia, and other fish killing impurities, oxygenates the water and returns the same to the water tank. This is done via a simple pumping and filtration system.

DIY vs. Store Bought

For an avid handyman, it is fairly easy to make your own aquaponics system. You will need a fish tank, dump tank, grow beds, drain line, and bilge pump. The first three, are usually made up of PET containers on stilts while the drain line is also made up of food grade PVC pipes. The bilge pump is bought as is.

I recommend you buy a fish tank, several 50 to 100 gallon PET drums and several meters worth of those “white” PVC pipes, the ones that are used for your water line and especially treated to prevent the growth of algae, etc. It’s a lot more expensive, but you should also consider purchasing Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) drum or tote with stainless steel support. These look better and are more professional looking. In most cases, IBC PET drums also have their own bunghole and/or spigot at the bottom of the drum. This makes things a lot easier for you. If you do not know what an IBC drum is, it’s one of those square white translucent drums with stainless steel support all over it. The author recommends a high-quality bilge pump. Make sure that the maximum load capacity fits the size of your fish tank. You will also be using basic DIY tools like a saw, hammer, wood or steel beams to use as stilts, etc.

There are, of course, ready to use Aquaponics systems that are relatively cheap. I strongly recommend, that if you have very little or no DIY skills and “man tools”, then it is better to buy a ready-made system. Choose one with a high powered bilge pump, that can be easily used to power 5x what your store bought system can. I recommend a 500 GPH 12 volt pump. The same is readily available in most hardware shops. A good quality one sells for about $15 to $25 USD. This allows you to upgrade your system to a DIY one, without a need to replace the bilge pump. Sure a store bought system may cost more than a DIY system, but if you consider the tools you need to purchase and man hours you need to clock in on a pet project, then the former is a better option.

You can order aquaponics systems online or inquire via your local fish nursery and horticulture store. Tip: it would be best to buy locally. This way you have someone to ask and you actually see their aquaponics system.

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