Anyone who has been gardening for any length of time knows that there are several different methods to the activity. You can grow plants in the ground, in containers, in gutter systems, and using hydroponics. However, there is a style of gardening that you may not be aware of. It’s called Aquaponics.
You could say that it is a greener way to garden. There are three sections to an Aquaponics garden –- flood tank, grow bed, and fish tank. It is a closed system that has been created to raise fish as well as fresh fruits and vegetables and the process is 100 percent organic.
The base of the system is the fish tank. Fish produce ammonia rich waste that serves as a nutrient for growing plants. Water and fish waste are pumped from the fish tank to the flood tank and then emptied onto the grow bed. The plants thrive on the nutrient-rich water, filters the water and then the Aquaponics system returns the aerated, clean water back to the fish tank.
The Aquaponics ecosystem is more natural than any other form of gardening. With it, there is no longer a need to rely on synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. You don’t have to fertilize the grow bed because the waste from the fish tank does that. There is no need to remove weeds either. Moreover, you spend a lot less money.
Parts you need to construct the system
- 14 -2×6 (or 2×4) boards
- Screws and Bolts
- 4 – 55 gallon drums
- 1 Water Pump
- 1 Air Pump
- Various PVC parts including a bell syphon, drain and flood piping.
- PVC Glue
- 6 uniseal flanges
Tools you will need to construct the system
- Drill
- Jig Saw
- Miter or Circular Saw
- Sand Paper
- Wood Glue or Wood Clamps
More details about an Aquaponics system and how to construct it can be found here.
(Sources: Backyard-eden.com and Inhabitat.com)
