Aquaponics Systems at Home, Recreating the Mother Nature in Your Backyard

If you are one of those people constantly searching for techniques of producing your food and maybe already have your own little organic garden or a coop of chickens, and make your own jelly and bread. Or maybe you are new to these issues, but you're determined to start the route to self-sufficiency. Then, aquaponics is for you.

Aquaponics is a system for growing organic vegetables and fruits like melons and strawberries, and at the same time raise fresh water fish - and/or other marine creatures - with minimum care, minimum investment and great results. It sounds fantastic, don't you think?

When you install in your backyard an aquaponics system, you're recreating the Mother Nature. The same process you see in a pond with great goldfish and aquatic plants in a lot of parks, could be implemented in your own garden but with edible creatures and edible and delicious plants, filling your diet with good protein and a bunch of vitamins and minerals. And everything totally free of toxic chemicals, certified by you.

The highlight here is that the aquaponics systems don't use soil to grow vegetables. While the water of the fish tank is circulated inside the grow beds, the roots of the vegetables take all the nutrients they need, result of the decomposition of fish waste, and at the same time by the effect of photosynthesis in the leaves, the roots oxygenate the water that returns to the fish tank.

Bacteria, our protagonists, do all the work, making the tank water, a precious soup. Some systems also include red worms between the media in the grow beds, this little worms break down the solid waste and their vermicompost, a very valuable fertilizer, nourishes the plants.

Aquaponics also encourages creativity and resourcefulness on all levels. It gives everyone the freedom to innovate and improve existing schemas. The materials to use, how to place the elements, the crops to grow, the aquatic species to raise, make the aquaponics project planning a fun task to perform. Moreover, once the system is working the maintenance could be very easy-going as only a few variables have to be monitored.

The more you work on your aquaponics system, the more you will learn from it. In a few weeks' time, you will master the whole system and you will begin to troubleshoot on your own.

And you don't have to spend a lot of cash having specially crafted tanks delivered to your home. If you can find a large tub that can has no cracks and can handle at least two thousand liters of water, you can start your aquaponics project at home. Some people even use large metal plastic barrels and other large containers to house their fish.

Believe me, nothing is more rewarding than seeing aquatic life and plants thriving in an aquaponic system in your own backyard, with full knowledge that it is the result of your determination to provide your family with the best food you can find.

Want to find out more details on aquaponics projects, get our Guide to Aquaponics at Home or visit our site Click Here

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Backyard Aquaponics How To: 5 Tips to Get You Started

To have and run a successful aquaponics system in your backyard you must be abreast with current information on aquaponics how tos. There are lots of aquaponics plans for a backyard aquaponics set up. Be certain you have the nitty-gritty you need to get you started on the road to owning a successful aquaponics.

Tip 1. Location! Location!! Location!!!

This is not just a slogan for the importance of real estate anymore. The location of your aquaponics aquarium is one of the most important components to be addressed properly in order for your system to flourish. Because aquaponics combines two biological systems, it is necessary to choose a location that is beneficial to both. For this reason choose an area that is rich with sunlight, providing plenty of light for your plants to grow. It is also important to make certain that there are no chemicals close by and avoid extreme weather; making certain it is neither too hot nor too cold.

Tip 2. Oxygenate the Water

This is the life gas of all living animals. In an aquaponics system oxygen does two very important tasks. Oxygenated water is, of course, necessary for your fish to survive. Oxygen also plays an important role in transforming the ammonia into necessary nutrients for your plants to grow healthy and strong.

Tip 3. Choose your Aquaponics Fish First

With this system you are truly able to choose any type of fish for aquaponics in order to nourish your plants, but there are certain state regulations to consider. Different states have different laws regarding the type of fish that can be raised at home. As such, it is a good idea to choose the type of fish you would like, accordingly.

Tip 4. Maintain your Growing Pots at Waist Level

Tending to your plants within your aquaponics system will be much easier if you make certain that your plants are at waist length when you assemble your system. Reaching above or below could otherwise make things very uncomfortable.

Tip 5. Tailor Aquaponics in the Beginning: Consider Additives

As you are finding the right number of aquaponics fish needed to provide the appropriate amount of nutrients for your plants, it may be necessary to consider adding additives, such as Iron, Potassium Carbonate or Calcium carbonate

Armed with these tips there is no way you can fail in your quest to have your own food organically raised at home. And as you continue down the path to mastering aquaponics, you can feel good about the fact that you are doing your part to protect our waterways from toxic dangers and our future while providing tasty and healthy food for you and your loved ones. That is your part in food security and sustainability to the world at large.

Jonathan Dylan is an aquaponics expert. For more tips on going about aquaponics Click here

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Aquaponic Vegetables

Aquaponic vegetable gardening is something that has enjoyed great popularity in the UK. It is quickly gaining ground in the United States as a way to save money by growing your own vegetables.

I cannot truthfully say, at the age of 54, that I remember the victory gardens that sprung up all over during the second world war. But at one time I was a big fan of everything World War II and read extensively about all the things people were doing at home to help the war effort. One of those things was that they planted vegetable gardens so that they could save money on food and show their patriotism.

Now I want to introduce people to a new way to save money in the current economy by growing their own vegetables and as a byproduct having all the fish that they can possibly eat. This new system is called aquaponics and is a great source of what I call aquaponic vegetables. Aquaponics is a system where you fill a good sized container(old bathtubs work best) with water and a substance which will enable flotation and then add fish to it.

Then you place whatever plants you want to grow(does not have to be vegetables) on top with their roots in the water. This takes advantage of the balance in nature between plants and fish. The fish produce algae, nitrates, minerals, and ammonia which is just what the plants need to thrive. The plants, on the other hand, act as a filtration device for the fish.

Using this method, you can actually grow 10 times the number of plants in half the time of traditional methods. And in this economy that can lead to great savings over visiting the produce section of your local supermarket. And the vegetables are so much fresher.

Also a great benefit to setting up a system to grow vegetables this way is that you get fresh fish to eat. This is a very nice byproduct of the aquaponic system as fish is a healthy food. More and more in the current economy and with people always on the go and eating fast food all the time it is nice to find a system that addresses issues like healthy eating and saving money at the same time.

I know that I am having a blast with my aquaponic system (two old bathtubs, which my wife calls mosquito breeding grounds) and I know there will be huge benefits from it for a long time to come.

Hello, my name is Lee Bland and I am a 54 year old confirmed bachelor who loves home gardening. As I stated, I am really loving this way of growing fresh vegetables and I believe it has many advantages over traditional methods of gardening. To read more about this passion I am sure I share with many others go to Aquaponic Vegetables.

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Successful Aquaponic Gardening Tips

Learning how to run a successful aquaponics garden is important in today's green economy. As technology in aquaponic gardening is rapidly becoming available, keeping yourself educated on the newer advances will help you keep your garden growing in an efficient, self-sustaining, and earth friendly way.

1. Choosing the appropriate location for your aquaponic system is the most important key to successful aquaponic gardening. Whether real or artificial sunlight is used, your system needs to be fully exposed to it. If your aquaponic garden will be outdoors, you need to think about the temperatures of your climate. The fish and plants in your system will do best around 70 degrees year around. You may consider using a greenhouse if your system will be outdoors. This will also help protect your equipment and plants from animals and adverse weather conditions.


2. Ensuring your water supply has plenty of oxygen will ensure the proper growth and health of your plants and aquaculture. This can be achieved with an air pump or a simple design in your tubing. In terms of oxygen, it's better to have too much than too little.


3. Your location can mandate which types of fish you're using in your aquaponics system. Tilapia is a common breed of fish used in aquaculture, but some areas have banned the use of them. It's best to check your local regulations to ensure your type of fish are legal. Keeping in mind the temperatures of your climate, you will need to research your fish choice to ensure they will be able to survive. If you're heating the water or using an indoor system, this can help with the variety of fish you can use.


4. Purchasing books and browse the Internet on keeping your aquaponics garden healthy is crucial to keep your system successful. The use of additives may sometimes be necessary if your plants look like they are suffering from a deficiency. In a newer system, it may be required to add calcium, iron, or potassium (or a combination of the three) to get your aquaponics system started healthily.


5. Regularly checking the pH levels of your water is very important. The pH measures how acid or alkaline your water is. Each living thing lives in a different optimal level. With humans, the hair, eyes, face, skin and other parts of the body each have a different optimal level. This is also the same with plants and fish. Fish have an optimal pH level of around 6.5 to 8.5, while plants survive better with a lower level of pH... Try to keep your pH level for an aquaponic system around 7.0 for the optimal results.


6. The most successful aquaponics garden will consist of the proper growing medium. Instead of soil, aquaponic systems normally use gravel or rocks. Using dusty or clay based rocks, if not properly cleaned before, can clog your tubing system and allow ammonia to grow. Some rocks contain chemicals that are not safe for your aquaculture or your aquaponics, so it is best to research your decision carefully. Washed river rock or gravel will provide you with the perfect aquaponics medium to grow your garden.

By doing your due diligence when making choices for your aquaponics system, you will avoid making costly mistakes. It is also advisable to find someone locally that can mentor you and answer any questions that might arise.

Successful aquaponic gardening is not that difficult with a little planning in advance!

Denise Clarke, is a retired paramedic firefighter. Since retirement she has re-invented herself as a blogger, author and successful marketer.

She has enjoyed raising Koi fish for many years and recently discovered Aquaponics which combines aquaculture, raising fish, and growing plants without soil, as a sustainable solution to eat green.

Aquaponic gardening has become her latest passion to share Earth friendly ways of solving the hunger problem around the world!

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Aquaponic Gardening: Frequently Asked Questions

What is aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture (the study and raising of fish and other aquatic life) and hydroponics (growing plants in water versus soil). While plants can be grown in water alone, it is necessary to add the nutrients a plant needs to the water. An amazing fact of life is that fish emulsion (all the nasty little things like ammonia that pollute your aquarium or fish tank) provides exactly what plants need to thrive. And to complete the great circle of nature, the process of the plant taking what it needs from the polluted water filters the water for the fish.

What types of fish are used in aquaponics?

The type of fish (or other aquatic life) you use is dependent upon three things: your climate, your personal tastes, and whether or not you plan to eat the fish you raise. Fresh water fish is most commonly used, with tilapia being the most popular choice--at least for edible fish. For areas where water temperature control could be problematic, catfish or bluegill could be used. If you don't necessarily want to raise the fish to eat, you can even use goldfish or koi. With goldfish though, you need to make sure that the fish can't get to the plant's roots, as they are known to nibble on them.

How does aquaponics compare with hydroponics?

Basically, aquaponics is an advanced form of hydroponics. The study of hydroponics is simply the process of growing plants without the use of soil. Soil-less gardening, in other words. As water has no real nutrients for the plant, these nutrients must be artificially added. Aquaponics takes it one more step by adding fish. In this way the plants get what they need in a totally natural and organic way.

Can aquaponics be done indoors?

Absolutely! In fact, many aquaponic gardeners have found that basements make a terrific space for their gardens. With the climate controlled temperatures of an indoor garden, you can raise vegetables all year long. Want a salad? Just go the basement and pick some lettuce.

One thing you do have to make sure of though, is that your garden gets enough light. In an indoor space, that means adding grow lights to your system. Luckily, this is not a difficult addition.

What types of plants can you raise?

You can raise just about any plants in an aquaponic garden. Of course, it will depend on where you place your garden and how much time you wish to spend on it. Some plants are simply easier to raise than others. Most of the green, leafy types of vegetables will do well in this type of garden. Other popular choices include herbs, tomatoes, bell peppers, cantaloupe, watercress, radishes, onions, sweet potatoes, beans, peas, melons, and even strawberries.You could quite literally have a fresh produce section in your basement...free for the picking!

In Summary:

Aquaponics can be a fun way to raise a sustainable garden and even some fresh fish to boot. The best part is that all this can be done inside your own home. Have you started your aquaponic garden yet? What are you waiting for?

If you are interested in starting your very own aquaponic garden, a great DIY guide is essential. For more information, feel free to visit  Click Here  Thanks for reading!

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