The Big Idea: Aquaponic gardening is a symbiotic, permaculture-friendly version of gardening in which fish supply nutrients to plants, which then remove all fish waste from the water.
- Aquaculture dates back to 5th century B.C. China
- Benefits of aquaponics: completely organic, cheaper than hydroponics, minimal maintenance, minimal fertilizer, lots of vegetable production, fewer diseases, no weeding, no watering, growing fish is a bonus
- In warm weather states, you can have an aquaponics system outdoors year-round. Just watch out for insects.
- The “basic flood and drain” setup is good for beginners. In this system, gravity carries water from the grow bed to the fish tank and a pump carries it back.
- Use a 1:1 grow bed volume to fish tank volume for the basic flood and drain setup.
- More advanced setups: CHOP, CHOP2, Barrel-ponics
- Stock your tank with 0.1-0.2 lb of fish per gallon of tank water.
- Place your fish tank in the shade if you put it outdoors. Also partially cover it to help prevent debris and algae growth.
- IBC totes are ideal for aquaponics systems. You can also use a bathtub for a vintage look.
- For your grow media, use gravel or expanded clay (Hydroton). Grow media is the replacement for soil, and houses beneficial worms and bacteria.
- Use only dechlorinated water. Protect your water from changes in temperature, pH, oxygen levels.
- Fish that work well: tilapia, goldfish, catfish, koi, shrimp.
- Choose a fish depending on your needs and climate.
- Supplement commercial fish feed with duckweed, worms, black soldier fly larvae.
- All plants (except those requiring acidic or basic soil) grow well in aquaponics systems.
- Nitrosomonas and Nitrospria bacteria convert fish waste into nitrites and nitrates, which are less harmfell to fish and nourish the plants.
- Worms digest solid waste and dead root matter into valuable vermicompost tea for the plants.
- Cycle the system with half of your fish to get your system started.
- Check system levels of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates regularly.
- Check pH. temperature, and check for insects regularly.