Aquaponics How to Build Your Own

Aquaponics is a natural and sustainable eco-food production system that integrates hydroponics and aquaculture. Aquaculture simply refers to taking care of aquatic animals in controlled or man-made environments like tanks or aquariums, while Hydroponics refers to cultivating plants in water. If you combine them together, you are creating a mutual and symbiotic relationship between the animals and plants, that is definitely beneficial to both, and also to you who can benefit from it financially. It utilizes both systems- and in doing so cancels out the major problem of each. Instead of using harmful chemicals to cultivate the plants, it uses the fish effluent which acts as a natural fertilizer for them. On the other hand, instead of cleaning and removing the water frequently, it uses the ability of plants to clean and purify the water onto which the fish lives. Cool right?

So, have you ever wondered how to build your own aquaponics? Let us ask the experts, and let me help you there, by summarizing everything below:

• Fish tank - also called rearing tank, this is needed primarily for raising and feeding the fish. This also acts as your main point of contact with the fish. This must be well spaced, and estimated based on the volume of fish that you will be cultivating.

• Solids removal tank - this is used to catch the extra uneaten foods by fish, as well as setting out fine particulates in the water. This is needed on top of the cleaning and purifying power of the plants, since some wastes are solid and not soluble in water.

• Biofilter - this is a portion where the scientific process of nitrification occurs, thus converting ammonia to nitrates.

• Sump - this is the lowest portion of the tank in which the water flows through the fish tanks.

• Oxygen supply - this is needed by both fish and plants to breathe and live. Make sure that this can be supplied by electricity safely, and in case there will be power outages, a backup is present.

On top of these components, you will also need a basic knowledge of what are the needs of fish and plants. Fish definitely needs nutrients, and oxygen-rich water. On the other hand, plants also needs nutrients, and water. These are just minor things that are covered using the basic components of aquaponics we mentioned earlier.

In the end, you will also think, that this might cost quite a bit, and be a pain in your pocket. Well, in a way yes- but there are ways to make it easier, and cheaper for you especially when you are just starting. The plant beds, usually made of wood, can be recycled. You can use some scrap materials from your own backyard and build your own. As for the tanks,pet fish, these refer to the usual basins, or containers, and doesn't really require high-priced glass setups. If you just use your creativity and estimation skills, you will need just the right amount of money, to start, cultivate, then later grow this hobby into a business.