Homemade Aquaponic Systems

Process

• Aquaponic is considered a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture. The fish live in a tank. The water from the tank is filtered and fish waste breaks down into nitrates that feed the plants. In exchange for all these nutrients, the water that filters through the vegetables is re-energized with the oxygen fish need to thrive. Set up aquaponic systems as a flood and drain system or a continuous drain system.

Flood and Drain

• The flood and drain system is based on water levels. A pump floods the garden bed with water. Through the use of a floating switch, similar to the one in a toilet tank, the system knows when to stop pumping water. The garden bed has a drain in it. As the water seeps into the garden bed through the natural pull of gravity, it flows out the drain into a sump. The sump also has a float switch in it. When the water in the sump reaches a specified level, the float switch activates the sump pump, which then delivers water back into the fish tank.

Continuous Flow

• A continuous flow aquaponic system provides a continuous cycle of water from the fish tank through the filtering to the plants and back to the tank. A continuous flow system is typically less expensive to set up, but the system is known to result in uneven watering and may lead to dead spots in the gardening beds. In this process, the water is pumped from the fish tank through the filtering system, then goes to the plants. The plants are grown in rafts with the roots hanging down through holes in the raft. The nutrient-enriched water flows over the roots and back out into the fish tank.

Fish

• An aquaponic system works best with plants and fish that are indigenous to the region. Look for fish that can survive winter temperatures with minimal heating. Heating water can be an expensive endeavor that can eat up any cost savings you may experience by growing your own food. In the U.S. tilapia is often grown in aquaponic systems because it is hardy and harvestable in about nine months. Carefully research the care instructions for the breed of fish you choose, including how many fish you can stock in your tank at a time and what to feed your fish.