What is Aquaponics? How to go green with Aquaponics.
What is Aquaponics & How Does it Work?
Aquaponics is the most sustainable way to grow food. It is a balanced ecosystem that enables us to grow healthy, organic food, sustainably.
The fish provide fertiliser for the veggies, and the veggies filter the water for the fish in a harmonious balance, and the nitrifying bacteria make sure this process happens.
It's a balanced ecosystem
When people first hear about 'aquaponics' they are often unsure of what it truly means in our society today and commonly get it confused with 'hydroponics'.
It's understandable, as both 'aqua' and 'hydro' mean water and 'ponics' means 'to work with or labour'... so it is easy to get confused.
In our society today though, while they are both methods of soil-less gardening and gardening with water, they are two very distinctive methods of gardening.
Hydroponics vs Aquaponics: Key Differences
Many people ask about the difference between aquaponics and hydroponics. Whilst similar in many ways, hydroponics and aquaponics have distinct differences and approaches to growing.
Hydroponics is an artificial form of gardening, generally in a artificial environment to reduce pests, and it uses synthetic nutrients to grow veggies.
Aquaponics on the other hand, is an ecosystem that replicates nature. Filled with living parts that make a the whole.
Aquaponics involves gardening with fish as well as veggies. In fact, many people talk about "hydroponics with fish". What they are actually referring to is an aquaponics system - not hydroponics at all.
The fish provide liquid fertiliser for your aquaponics veggie garden, and the vegetables filter the water for the fish. The 'good' nitrifying bacteria make this process happen within the ecosystem.
It is natural, healthy and doesn't have harmful waste products.
Why Choose Aquaponics for Urban and Home Gardening?
In most countries our soil isn't what it was. It has been stripped of nutrients by commercial farming, and gravely damaged by pesticides.
Sometimes, the areas we live in only has a courtyard or cement areas that limit what and how much food we can grow.
By turning to aquaponics instead of soil gardening, it doesn't matter that you only have a small area. Even if you have a cement yard or are renting, a backyard aquaponics system provides everything within its own ecosystem.
Benefits of an aquaponics system vs urban gardening
Less Water: As water is constantly recycled through the aquaponics system from the fish tank, to the filter, through the veggie growing area and back, aquaponics uses 10 times less water than soil gardening.
No Fertiliser Needed: Save money on buying or making your own fertiliser. You also won't ever forget to fertilise the plants. Thanks to the fish waste that is constantly occurring, the veggies have natural constant fertiliser.
Less Space: Aquaponics is not only about growing veggies in small spaces; you actually get to grow more in small spaces. Conventional soil gardens have space requirements between each plant. A certain root area is needed for the plants to absorb the nutrients in the soil, and soil nutrients are limited. Within aquaponics, there is constantly fertiliser (from the fish). Compared with a typical soil veggie garden, the plants are easily grown closer together thereby giving you more produce.
Real food: There is a misconception that hydroponics, and in turn aquaponics only grows leafy greens and tomatoes. Whilst these are the easiest commercial things to grow, your home aquaponics system can grow a whole range of real food for your family. Growing broccoli, capsicum, corn, zucchini, pumpkins ~ or almost anything can happen with the right design. That is growing real food!
No Weeding: Weed seeds are often found in the soil, or blown from the weed itself into nearby areas. Unlike urban gardening, aquaponics systems are off the ground and generally out of the area of weed seeds. Personally, I haven't weeded an aquaponics system in 15 years!
Faster Growth: Not only can you grow more food in your aquaponics system, due to the constant water and fertiliser, the veggies grow faster. They are in plant heaven.
Check out some of the things I wish I'd known before starting my first veggie garden.
What does this mean for you?
More organic food, in any area, without the need for added fertiliser, water needs and no weeding. Best gardening ever!
Urban Aquaponics
Aquaponics has changed from it being a commercial concept, following in the footsteps of aquaculture and hydroponics to an urban option. A backyard aquaponics system is now a very viable option, even if your backyard is just an apartment balcony.
DIY aquaponics before
Urban aquaponics first started with the hardcore DIYers. They used angle grinders and electric saws to build large aquaponics systems that cost a fortune. Additionally, they needed large vehicles to collect the large IBCs and parts, and had to have plenty of room to build these urban aquaponics systems.
Home aquaponics now
DIY aquaponics has now been whole-heartedly taken up by people living in typical urban environments. Home aquaponics can be done in small spaces and urban areas. There are even people setting up indoor aquaponics systems, using simple and easy tools. Designing an aquaponics system is about creating the best setup for your space.
This is the true movement to self-sufficiency and sustainability that we need.
Using second hand materials, building with what we can find, and keeping the aquaponics systems small and easy to manage.
Not focusing on growing edible fish. Not everyone wants to kill their own food, though it is important to know where it came from. You can now grow ornamental fish as pets and get creative with the family.
We use the space we have, the tools we have and build to our needs. No need to follow larger aquaponics designs that don't suit our space, or use tools we aren't comfortable with.
These days, it is about growing healthy, organic food in ways that don't harm the environment. We can do this whilst we are renting, living in areas where there is only cement or small spaces. Easy backyard aquaponics.
Our pet fish provide the fertiliser that our soil cannot give our plants anymore.
Aquaponics is a recirculating system, the water is constantly cycling through the fish tank, filters and veggie growing areas. This therefore uses less water and keeps our veggies well fertilised. Learn about how an aquaponics system works.
How do I grow vegetables with aquaponics?
What type of aquaponics system you use, will depend on the type of veggies you want to grow. The perfect thing is you can choose what sort of veggie garden you want, and combine suitable designs.
Growbed System
A growbed home aquaponics system allows you to:
Have a veggie growing area that doubles as the biological filter.
Give the plants root stability, as well as no need to buy area filtration.
This is also the most common type of system for successful aquaponics growers, you alter the design based on your needs.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) aquaponics system:
Allows veggies to be grown in a PVC pipe setup, this is a cheap growing option and common within commercial setups.
This design does not give good root stability for plants, so you are limited in what you can grow.
You will also need an added biological filter in addition with this system design.
Deep Water Culture (DWC) System
With a Deep Water Culture (DWC) urban aquaponics system:
Allows veggies to grow in rafts that float on the water, often the roots are exposed to fish, and they will nibble on the roots, hampering the growth of the plants.
Is a cheap system for growing, common in commercial systems.
It does not give good root stability, and you are limited in what you can grow in this system.
You will also need a biological filter for this design.
Get started with your own home aquaponics or urban garden set-up by following my simple guide on how to start a home aquaponics system.
Check out this video to get the visual and see different urban aquaponics systems in action, and see some of the typical designs that are out there.
Every home aquaponics system needs to have some key elements. As long as you adjust to the size you are building and learn the fundamentals about aquaponics as an ecosystem, you'll do fine. It is time to get your creative juices going!
Essential elements:
Fish Tank
Mechanical Filter (Removes Solid Fish Waste)
Biological Filter (converts the liquid fish waste into fertiliser)
Veggie Growing area.
No matter the shape, size or location ~ these are the elements that are needed.
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
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.
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.
