Tips for DIY aquaponics enthusiasts

Commercial aquaculture methods would not be practical to use for the average Aquaponics DIY enthusiast to grow their own fresh produce. Fortunately, there are many things you can do in your garden to grow a decent aquaponics garden. This extremely efficient method has exploded in popularity due to the versatility and simplicity of its system. Plus, it doesn’t require a huge area to set up the system and start it up.

What is aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a type of gardening method that has been around for nearly four decades. This system eliminates the need for huge 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 from both methods.

How an Aquaponics do-it-yourself system works

To briefly describe how it works; the system consists of flower beds and fish tanks. Freshwater fish such as tilapia or trout are placed in the fish tank. The water in the fish tank is then oxygenated using a basic circulation system, which allows the fish to thrive and reproduce.

Pellets of fish feed or other natural fish feed are then used to feed the fish. When the fish starts consuming food, it will start producing waste. Fish waste and unused fish feed mix in the water and collect in the tank. These wastes become nutrients and food sources for plants. The grow beds, which contain vegetables and fruits, filter the water from the aquarium and return it to the aquarium. This cycle is repeated over and over, keeping the water in the aquarium clean. This keeps the fish in the aquarium healthy and the plants in the bed well grown.

DIY Aquaponics Tips

An Aquaponics DIY system is fairly simple to install at home, both indoors and outdoors. There are many ways to build an aquaponics system. However, there are several important aspects and tips that need to be considered when building this system from scratch.

Decide which technique to use

Generally, aquaponics comes in three main versions: deep raft technique, nutrient film technique, and media-based technique. Choose the one that best suits your budget and needs. Traditionally, homeowners used the media-based technique for their backyard. However, if you want to grow, the deep raft technique or the nutrient film technique will work best for you.

Level your exhaust system

The aquaponics system works by using water. Therefore, it is important to ensure that excess water is drained regularly and that both the aquarium and the grow bed are aligned correctly for optimal growth.

Insulate your greenhouse

It is also important to use a well insulated unit for your DIY aquaponics garden. Some homeowners use masonry as bricks to keep the heat inside the aquarium. The trick is to find a system that allows the water to penetrate the soil.

Use suitable aquaponics tanks

To achieve a level of balance and a controlled environment, it is recommended to use aquariums made of polyurethane. The best value is to use a 700 gallon aquarium for every two grow beds.

Height and width of the growth beds

It is also important to consider the height and width of the grow beds that will be used. Make sure it is tall enough for the plants to receive adequate sunlight and that it should be at a level not too low or too high for your reach. The size of the growth beds mainly affects the growth of plants.

For starters, start with small growing beds to minimize teething errors. This allows you to decide which Aquaponics configuration will work best for you. Once you are comfortable with the system, you can always expand its size.

Overall, a DIY Aquaponics system isn’t as difficult to make as you might think. Setting it up is a breeze. However, you need to do it correctly to make sure it is cost efficient. Otherwise, you will end up spending more time, effort, and cost to maintain a flawed system.