Starting Small with Aquaponics: Affordable and Easy Designs
Starting Small with Aquaponics: Affordable and Easy Designs
Starting small in aquaponics is the best way to ensure that you learn in an affordable and easy way, without the stress of a heavy financial outlay, or the pressure of ‘needing to get it right.’
It can be very simple to start small for under $100, especially if you buy things second-hand (I'm a huge advocate for upcycling where possible, saving landfill and reducing costs).
In this post, I'll share some simple designs to inspire your own small-scale aquaponics setup.
Why Start Small?
Beginning with a small aquaponics system allows you to:
Learn the Basics: Understand the fundamentals without feeling overwhelmed.
Save Money: Small systems are affordable and can often be assembled with second-hand materials.
Reduce Stress: There's less pressure to get everything perfect right away.
Key Components of every Small Aquaponics System
Every aquaponics system, no matter the size, needs a few key components:
Fish Tank: Where your fish will live.
Mechanical Filter: To remove solid waste such as fish poop and uneaten food.
Biological Filtration: For nitrifying bacteria that convert fish waste into usable fertiliser for plants.
Veggie Growing Area: Where your plants will thrive.
When you go bigger, you have larger fish tanks, larger filters, larger veggie growing area and often a sump to keep the water at a consistent level. But the basics remain the same.
Small Aquaponics Designs for Inspiration
Here are a few examples to spark your creativity:
Deep Water Culture (DWC)
In DWC systems, plants are placed on rafts of polystyrene, floating on the water. This method is cost-effective and easy to set up, making it perfect for beginners.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
NFT systems use PVC pipes to create a thin film of nutrient-rich water that flows over the roots of the plants. This setup is ideal for lighter plants and is also budget-friendly.
Growbed Systems
Growbeds serve a dual purpose by acting as both the plant growing area and the biological filtration system. They are versatile and can support a variety of plants, including larger ones that might not do well in DWC or NFT setups.
Creative and Mixed Systems
You can mix and match different components to suit your needs.
For instance, this aquaponics system using a bathtub for the fish tank, an NFT channel to grow some veggies, a tiny growbed at the back that doubles as the filter and a large wicking tower in the middle, that is growing the strawberries.
This aquaponics system mixes design elements, ensuring that I still have all of the key components for filtration, and it didn't cost me a thing.
Everything to build this system, was scavenged, or traded for.
Effectively, a free DIY aquaponics system design. Now that is inspiring!
Check out this video to see the different aquaponics designs in action!
Tips for Choosing Your System
The type of veggie growing system you choose depends on what you want to grow.
Big, heavy plants can topple over in DWC and NFT systems, though these setups are cheaper to buy and make.
Be creative and mix everything up as long as you keep the fundamental components intact.
Starting small with aquaponics is a fantastic way to get your feet wet (pun intended!) and learn the ropes without a significant investment. Happy harvesting!
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
Want to help out 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.