Joe with www.TXUSFarms.com has provided us with a wealth of information about aquaponics. Instead of overwhelming our site members with all of the information at once, we are going to break it down into multiple sections.
What is Aquaponics?
All freshwater creatures create ammonia excreted from their gills and waste(poop). This combination of ammonia and waste is what feeds the bacteria in your aquaponic system which in turn feeds the plants. The plants clean the minerals out of the water to keep it clean and livable for the fish. These four things, the number of plants, pounds of fish in the system, the amount of water, and the amount of bacteria inside the system must remain in balance for your aquaponic system to thrive and be successful. This is not a guess on how many fish or plants you want to grow together. There are formulas and ratios in considering how many fish will support a certain number of plants and how much surface area you will need to process the fish waste for the plants. You need to balance the system because if one part gets out of tolerance the other parts can and will suffer. There is a steep learning curve to aquaponics so do not get discouraged, but once you have the basics down, and your system running, the ease of use is like no other way of growing. No watering, no fertilizing, very little to no weeding, in controlled environments no pests. Little time is needed for basic maintenance once your aquaponic system is balanced and tuned.
What to use for Fish Tanks?
Almost any container that will hold water and NOT leach chemicals into the water will work. Remember you are going to eat these plants and fish so absolutely no dangerous chemicals in your system this includes the calcium and lime leached from exposed concrete and Zinc that leeches from galvanized steel water tanks. Glass fish tanks, buckets, troughs, lined containers, holes in the ground, or ponds are all great examples of what to use. This isn't to say concrete and galvanized steel can't be used. If you have ensured that it is completely lined then you are good to go. Round shaped tanks are the best for your fish as they allow an easy path for water to continue moving and require less energy to operate and more efficient cleaning.
I have my tank, what kind of fish should I use?
Most freshwater fish and creatures will work in aquaponics, but you do not want to fight nature. Meaning you should be mindful of your area’s climate when deciding which variety you will choose. For example: if you are in a cold climate, tilapia must live in warm water and heating water can add to the costs of operation. On the other side, trout need very cold water, and chillers cost alot to run during the heat of the summer. This doesn't mean you can not use these options but keep in mind the costs and the health of your fish and plants. Unless you are making a wild fish tank, I would not recommend you using wild caught fish as they can carry diseases, parasites, or even invasive species that can be very hard to deal with.
When buying your fish make sure they are legal to possess in your state and county as some fish require certain licensing and other fish are illegal to possess under most circumstances. Always quarantine new fish before adding them into your system. It is easier to clean up a small tank for quarantine than it is to sanitize your whole aquaponic system. Make sure all new fish are healthy and come from a healthy environment and you trust the breeder or supplier.
Ok, I have my fish! What else do I need?
We know that plants take nutrients from the fish poo, to generate fish poo we need to feed them. This is the main input to your aquaponic system. The highest quality fish food should always be used. Different protein levels are used for different fish and for their different growth stages. You can also grow your own organic fish food but that is a class all to itself.
Thank you for joining us! We look forward to discussions and questions you may have about aquaponics. If you have question of any items not listed above, please have patience as the answers maybe coming in a future section.
Part I - Getting Started
Part - II Water Quality and Growing Options
Part - III Water Filtration Options
Part - IV Importance of Oxygenation
Part - V What to Plant
Part - VI Nutrients Cycle
Part - VII Biosecurity
Part - VIII Additional Types of Systems
Part - IX System Controls
Part X - Testing your System and Additives
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