Easy DIY Aquaponics

Aquaponics is growing fish in a fish grow tank that is connected to a growing bed for fruits and vegetables. The fish waste feeds the plants in your grow beds and then the water is recycled back into the fish tank.

The plants cleanse the water and therefore the water cycled back into the fish grow tank is clean and healthy for the fish.

There are three most common types of aquaponics systems.

1. Nutrient Film Technique - mostly used for commercial applications to grow large quantities of vegetables.

2. Deep Water Culture - this system uses deeper beds with suspended floats and the plants roots stay submerged at all times.

3. Media Filled Grow Beds - this is the most common type of grow bed and it uses gravel or clay pellets to suspend the roots of the plants.

There are many different types of fruits, vegetables and herbs you can grow in your aquaponics system. However, how well they do will depend on how well your system is equipped, your climate and how quickly you correct any potential problems.

The recommended methods for your aquaponics garden are using gravel or clay pellets as your growing media and the ebb and flow system for watering. You can grow your plants directly in your grow beds or you can start them as seedlings in separate pots and then transfer them to your grow beds.

Plants grown in an aquaponics system will grow much faster than plants grown in a traditional garden. This is due to them having continual access to water and nutrients which help them grow.

An aquaponics system will produce about 20 times more fruits and vegetables than a traditional garden and will much less labor as well. But you do have to monitor your system because just like any other garden mineral deficiencies will occur from time to time.

Leafy green vegetables prefer the floating type of grow bed. For root vegetables prefer a wicking type of grow bed. And remember plants like tomatoes, peppers, beans, etc. will require a media bed.

Plants like carrots and potatoes don't do very well when grown in an aquaponics system.

Here are some of the different types of plants that you can grow in your aquaponics systems.

• Leafy Lettuces
• Spinaches
• Okras
• Kales
• Cabbages
• Watercress'
• Basil Herbs
• Chive Herbs
• Cilantro Herbs
• Dill Herbs
• Parsley Herbs
• Mint
• Celery Stalks
• Tomato Plants
• Pepper Plants
• Zucchinis
• Squashes
• Cucumbers
• Pea Pods
• Radishes
• Garlic
• Onions
• Ginger

You may have to do some experimenting to see what works best in your particular grow beds in your particular location and climate. Keep in mind that for the most part root vegetables will do better in a grow bed that is 12" deep.

Before you begin buying fish for your aquaponics systems, you should check with your local fish and wildlife department to see if your locality will allow the type of fish you want to use.

Some types of fish are illiegal in some areas due to how aggressively they can overtake the local waterways if released into the wild.

You will also need to consider climate and buy your fish accordingly.

Here are the types of fish you can raise in your aquaponics system.

Edible Fish

• Tilapia
• Trout
• Catfish

Non-Edible Fish

• Carp
• Koi
• Goldfish
• Bluegill

There are other types of fish you can use as well if you decide not to use any of the above. However, you will need to do your research before making any purchases.

You will need about 6-10 fish per grow tank. And you will need at least four gallons of water for every pound of fish in your tank. Of course, this will all depend on the types of fish you decide to use. Because different fish grow to varying sizes.

Many people think that they are not capable of putting together an aquaponics garden. However, they also don't realize that you can buy a complete aquaponics system kits.

These kits come with everything you need to build your own system. And it's easy enough for the most basic beginner. Additionally, they have a customer service line that you can call if you have any questions.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AQUAPONICS AND HOW IT ALL WORKS.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASING AN AQUAPONICS KIT THAT YOU CAN EASILY PUT TOGETHER YOURSELF.