Homemade Aquaponics

Aquaponics Basics

• The animals, most often fish but also other aquatic creatures, live in one part of the system and are fed a normal diet. The waste they produce circulates through the system and into another container that holds the plants. The plants use the nutrients provided by the animals’ waste products and, in the process, create clean water that is adequate for the animals to live in. It's almost a closed system, but outside factors are introduced by the feed provided to the animal members of the system, and part of the system is removed any time the plants are harvested, though they are typically replaced with new ones right away.

Plants

• Almost any kind of plant can be grown in an aquaponic system, but it is especially good for leafy greens, including lettuce, herbs and spinach. Tomatoes, peppers and melons can also be grown in this type of system, though these plants typically need some support as they get larger. Other plants that grow well in a homemade aquaponic system are strawberries and beans. As a general rule, anything that can grow in a regular hydroponic system will grow in an aquaponic setup as well.

Fish

• Several different kinds of fish are popular for homemade aquaponics systems. Many people use goldfish, which are cheap and easy to obtain. But for those who wish to harvest fish as well as produce from their systems, catfish, trout and tilapia are all good choices. When deciding on fish, the size of the system and the water temperature are both important considerations. When the cost of feed is also taken into account, tilapia are a favorite, because they can eat all kinds of food, including grass clippings and algae.

Containers

• Almost anything that will hold water can be used for a homemade aquaponics reservoir. Large plastic tubs used for shipping molasses and other food products are especially popular, since they can be cut in half to make a pair of good-sized tanks. Any material that might leach into the water supply, such as is often the case with metal tanks, should be lined with sturdy food-grade plastic before being used. Plastic barrels, trays and even wading pools have all been used with success.