A Successful Aquaponics System? Here Is The Key

There is one key but it has three factors, in setting up a successful aquaponics system that you must keep in mind. But first let us dissect the components on which aquaponics is built on: Aquaculture and hydroponics.

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic creatures such as plants, fish, shellfish, and other water born creatures. It's just like our normal home aquariums. However hydroponics is growing plants in water without soil. The main advantage of using this type of growing is you don't need acres of land. You can grow the same amount of food in a 6 x 6 foot area instead of an acre of land.

Aquaponics system combines these two separate systems together. You build a tank with fish in it and use it to water and fertilize your plants. It has everything your plants need. You won't have to use extra water or chemicals. The grow beds on its part provides for the fish purified and oxygenated, which is needed for aquatic life. Although, bacteria is usually added to convert fish wastes into nitrates for plant's use.

Aquaponics bring everything you need, both to raise edible fishes and to grow organic food crops all in one place. Also it reduces the time, energy and resources spent in the traditional method in a creative way. And it results in a higher harvest of the foods involved.

The fish is the key to the success of the system. Their well being determines that of the crops. And the well being of the fish largely depend on the aquatic environment in which it lives. There are 3 factor that enhances the fish's environment:

Water temperature: This is critical for fish survival. Each species of fish has a different temperature range, and depending on your climate, heating or cooling of the water may be needed to keep fish happy.

pH: This is a way of expressing the number of H+ (Hydrogen) ions in water. The optimum range for aquaponics system pH is between 7 - 7.5, which is a compromise between optimal ranges for the fish, plants and bacteria.

Dissolved Oxygen: This is necessary for fish life. Factors that will change the amount of dissolved oxygen in the system include stocking density (more fish, less oxygen), temperature (higher temperature, less oxygen). Water will only absorb a certain amount of oxygen before it becomes saturated.

In conclusion, Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (raising plants without soil). That's why you need to understand the processes of using water to grow plants and the necessity of farming fish. By understanding these, you can successfully have a functional aquaponics in your home or backyard.

Jonathan Dylan is an aquaponics expert. For more tips about aquaponics system visit http://www.aquaponicsculture.com/index.html

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