Save Time, Money & Effort with Aquaponics | Gardening Made Easy
Grow More with Less: Why Aquaponics Saves Time, Money & Effort
Aquaponics is often seen as a complex or expensive alternative to traditional gardening, but the reality is quite the opposite. In fact, aquaponics can save you time, money, and effort compared to growing food in soil.
With 90% less water usage, faster-growing plants, and minimal maintenance, aquaponics is one of the easiest ways to grow fresh food at home.
Let’s Break It Down: How Aquaponics Helps You Grow More with Less
From reducing your water bill to cutting out daily chores, aquaponics streamlines your gardening in all the right ways. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.
1. Save Time with Aquaponics: No Watering, Weeding, or Soil Prep
Traditional gardening requires daily watering, regular weeding, and ongoing soil maintenance. In contrast, aquaponics automates much of the work:
No daily watering – The system continuously recirculates water, meaning plants are always hydrated. Studies show aquaponics uses up to 90% less water than soil gardening (Mchunu et al., 2022).
No weeding – Since plants grow in water instead of soil, there are no weeds to pull.
No soil maintenance – Forget about composting, fertilising, or rotating crops. The fish provide all the nutrients plants need!
Real-Time Savings
If you normally spend 30 minutes a day watering, weeding, and fertilising, switching to aquaponics could save you over 180 hours per year—that’s more than a full week of free time!
Want to get your Eyes and Hands on the FREE Online Aquaponics Essentials Course?
This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.
You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
Sign up HERE
2. Aquaponics Saves You Money: Lower Costs & Free Natural Fertiliser
Starting an aquaponics system may seem like an investment, but it pays for itself quickly through cost savings:
Lower water bills – Aquaponics uses a fraction of the water compared to traditional gardening, as the system recirculates instead of draining away (Martins et al., 2023).
No need for fertilisers – In soil gardening, fertilisers can cost $50-$200 per year, while aquaponics systems are naturally fertilised by fish waste.
Faster plant growth – Studies show plants like basil and lettuce grow up to 30% faster in aquaponic systems compared to soil farming (Pantanella et al., 2022).
Real Cost Savings
If you spend $200 a year on fertilisers, soil amendments, and extra water usage, an aquaponics system can help you cut that down significantly—especially if you use recycled materials to build it.
Read more about the money-saving gardening that is aquaponics.
3. Easy Gardening with Aquaponics: Low Maintenance, High Yield
Once your system is set up, the maintenance is minimal:
Feed your fish once or twice a day
Check water levels weekly—less often than you’d check soil moisture in a garden!
Harvest fresh produce whenever you need it—no more wasted supermarket greens.
Unlike traditional gardening, where you need to manually monitor soil health, pests, and moisture daily, aquaponics works like a natural ecosystem. Once balanced, it’s virtually self-sustaining.
If you're still not convinced check out this blog debunking the common aquaponics myths.
Watch my video on the benefits of aquaponics for you and your family:
Affordable Gardening Without the Hassle
Aquaponics isn’t just a gardening method—it’s an easier, more sustainable, and cost-effective way to grow food. By eliminating the biggest time-drainers (watering, weeding, and fertilising), you can grow fresh vegetables with far less effort.
If you’re looking for an easy way to grow herbs, veggies, salad greens, and even strawberries, aquaponics is a perfect solution. Less time. Less money. Less work. More food.
Curious what you can grow? Read our Aquaponics Veggie Guide.
Check out my YouTube Channel 'Candy The Aquaponics Lady'
Aquaponics is an ecosystem, and with anything it takes time to learn how it works. So, sit back and binge watch my 'how to' playlist and the 'Water Quality Made Simple' Playlist, and learn the next steps in your aquaponics system as you create the ecosystem.
Here are the next 2 videos I recommend you watching to create your ecosystem ~ before you add any fish
How Aquaponics Works as an Ecosystem
Why aquaponics is the best form of gardening for you
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
Want to get your Eyes and Hands on the FREE Online Aquaponics Essentials Course?
This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.
You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
Sign up HERE
References:
Reduced Water Usage
Mchunu, N., Lagerwall, G., & Venter, J. (2022). Aquaponics: A sustainable way of producing food. Frontiers for Young Minds. https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2022.707801
Martins, C. I. M., Eding, E. H., & Verreth, J. A. J. (2023). Water use efficiency in aquaponic systems. Water, 15(24), 4310. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/24/4310
Accelerated Plant Growth
Pantanella, E., Cardarelli, M., & Colla, G. (2022). Growth performance of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in aquaponics compared to soil-based organic cultivation. Agronomy, 12(12), 3007. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/12/3007
Maucieri, C., Nicoletto, C., & Sambo, P. (2022). Plant growth and nutrient uptake in aquaponic systems compared to hydroponics and soil cultivation. bioRxiv. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.10.06.511176.full
Want to help out (donate some fish food) and Feed my Fish?? (They don't drink coffee)
Candy Alexander is a dedicated aquaponics enthusiast with a wealth of formal training in aquaculture. Over the past 15 years, Candy has been deeply immersed in both commercial and backyard aquaponics, honing her skills and expertise in this sustainable farming method.
Candy's passion lies in making aquaponics accessible to everyone. With a mission to simplify aquaponics, she believes that anyone can embark on this sustainable journey.
She encourages those new to aquaponics to "kick the tires" without a significant financial investment. Her guidance focuses on helping people start their aquaponics journey with small-scale systems, ensuring a low barrier to entry for newcomers.
Candy shares practical tips, step-by-step guides, and personal stories to inspire and guide readers on their aquaponics adventure. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, Candy Alexander is your go-to source for simplifying aquaponics and fostering a sustainable gardening experience.
