backyard aquaponics

You can start your own backyard aquaponics system very easily, even if you have only a small amount of space in your back yard.  You do not need a lot of equipment or expertise to begin.

Backyard aquaponics is simply the creation of an ecologically viable system to grow both fish and vegetables at home. You begin with the fish and the fish tank.  Bacteria break down your fish waste products into plant nutrients in the water.  The water is then used to irrigate the plants.  It takes a month or so for the fish/bacteria system to establish itself.  You will only then be able to grow plants successfully.  The plants use the nutrients and keep the water for the fish clean.

What you need to start your own backyard aquaponics system:
*  a small fish tank, or a plastic container to keep your fish
*  a small pump with a timer, to circulate the water
*  electric cable to your tank for the pump (the cable must be waterproof if your system is outdoors)
*  a flat-bottom container to use as a growing bed for your vegetables.  A 2 x 3 foot container is ideal to begin with
*  water pipes to the aquaponics bed
*  an irrigation “grid” to fit over your bed to distribute the water evenly
*  gravel for a bedding medium

>>Click here to start your own backyard aquaponics !<<

The best place to start your backyard aquaponics is on your back veranda if you have space.  It can be moved into your back yard later once it is established.  Always choose a semi-shaded area in your garden for your pond or fish tank.

Putting your backyard aquaponics system together
*  Place your fish container on a level lower than your aquaponics bed.
*  Remember, always use water that is not chlorinated for your fish (chlorine will kill your eco-system fish and bacteria).  You
can use rain water collected from a gutter, or river water.  Never use tap water.
*  The bed should overlap the fish tank and be secured on a slight slope down to the fish tank.
*  Drill a few small holes near the bottom of the bed where it overlaps the fish tank.  The circulated water will then drip back
into the fish tank
*  Fill the bed with your medium
*  Place the pump in a secure place in the fish tank and fix it there.
*  Fit your irrigation grid over the bed
*  Connect the irrigation piping from the pump to the irrigation grid
*  Time your pump to work 15 minutes every hour.  This allows the bed to be saturated with water and nutrients before a
drying off and re-oxygenating period for your medium.  Your plants benefit the most this way.
*  Switch on your pump and see that everything works.
*  Make sure your fish tank water level does not get too low during the pumping time.
*  Always have some clean water available to top up your tank

Where can I get advice and supplies for my backyard aquaponics?
Aquaponics 4 you are excellent suppliers of all you might need for any size backyard aquaponics system you might like to create.  They will recommend the best fish sorts for your system and their advise and support are available every step of the way.  Have fun, eat healthy organic fish and vegetables and keep experimenting with your backyard aquaponics.

>>Click here to start your own backyard aquaponics !<<

Who would not like to make some extra money by doing something profitable in your backyard?  The opportunity exists but most people have not heard of ‘Aquaponics’ and so the potential lies underutilized.  What is aquaponics?  It is a hybrid word from aquaculture and hydroponics.  In aquaculture the waste and effluents generated by the fish etc. contaminates the water and unless removed, increases the toxicity for the fish.  This effluent laden waster is led to a hydroponic system, where the effluents act as manure for the plants by providing them with vital nutrients.  After the water is cleansed, it is re-circulated to the aquaculture system.  It is a symbiotic and Eco friendly system.

It is easy to set up an aquaponic system.  The steps to be taken to set up the system for aquaponics are:

•    First you have to set up the aquaculture system.  If you have a natural pond then that can be used to grow the fish
in.  Otherwise you have to construct the rearing tanks.  Usually about 10 kgs. fish can be stocked for every 100
liters of water.
•    You need to construct a tank for solid removal.  This is a unit to catch all uneaten food and detached bio-films.
•    The bio-filter of the aquaponic system is the place where the nitrification bacteria can grow.  These bacterial will
convert the ammonia into nitrates and nitrates are the nutrients of the plants.
•    The hydroponics subsystem:  The plants are grown here and they absorb the excess
nutrients from the effluent laden water.
•    The sump forms the lowest point in the system.   It is in the sump that the water from the aquaculture system
enters and is pumped to the hydroponic system and vice versa.

The system can be kept very simple or if it is sophisticated system is used, then the units of solid removal, bio-filtration and the hydroponics subsystem can be combined to form one unit.  Thus the water will not flow directly from the aquaculture to the hydroponics part, but will be subject to different stages of the process.

The hydroponic subsystem is where the plants are grown.  Their roots absorb the nutrients from the effluent water.  There are different methods to grow the plant.  The common methods are:

•    Deep water raft aquaponics:  They consist of Styrofoam rafts floating in the aquaculture water.
•    Re-circulating aquaponics:  Gravel or clay is held in containers which is flooded with aquaculture water.
•    Reciprocating aquaponics:  It consists of a solid media in a container and is alternatively flooded and drained.

The common fish grown in aquaculture are: Thilapia, barramundi, Silver Perch, Catfish, Jade Perch and Murray cod.  The common plants that are grown are: Most green leafy vegetables, roses, tomatoes, okra, cantaloupe, beans, peas, sweet potato, onions etc.

The advantage of aquaponics is that it is an Eco friendly symbiotic system.  Once the initial water is filled, then only make up water, to restore water lost by evaporation and absorption by the plants, is needed. There are various types of aquaponics system that can be installed, depending on suitability, cost etc.  For all needed items and accessories to start an aquaponics system, you can contact www.aquaponics4you.com.  They have vast experience in the field of aquaponics and can guide and advice you, as well as supply all the accessories necessary, to get started in aquaponics.