Understanding Aquaponics - Creating Your Own Aquaponic Garden

Jonathon Toth

©2014 Jonathon Toth

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 – What is Aquaponic Gardening?

Chapter 2 – Making your Own Aquaponic Garden At Home

Chapter 3 – Best Fishes for Aquaponic Gardening

Chapter 4 – Most Ideal Plants for Aquaponic Gardening

Chapter 5 – Tips to Make your Garden Flourish

Conclusion

Photo Credits

Copyright 2014 by Rach Helson LLC- All rights reserved. Copyright 2014 By Nom De Plume

Introduction

I want to thank you for downloading the book, “Understanding Aquaponics”.

This book contains introductory methods for building and maintaining various types of aquaponic gardens.

You will learn about the benefits of aquaponics, basic designs of an aquaponic garden, the most ideal plants and fishes that you can cultivate, and other useful tips that might help you out.

Understanding Aquaponics is an ideal book for people who are new to this type of garden setting. Each chapter is written in a comprehensive and simple manner so you will not have a hard time in understanding the concepts of aquaponic gardening.

This book can also be helpful to veteran gardeners if they want to further improve their skills.

Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!

-Jon

Chapter 1 – What is Aquaponic Gardening?

Do you always want to eat fresh fish whenever you want to? What if you could actually catch some right in the middle of your backyard? In addition, what if you could cultivate some fish and grow some vegetables at the same time?

It may sound hard to believe; but there is actually a way for you to do all these things, and that is called aquaponic gardening.

This is a very new method of gardening that combines the concepts of aquaculture, and hydroponics. The two methods are quite related to each other because the former is about cultivating fish, while the latter deals with cultivating your garden greeneries with just water instead of soil. A lot of people are actually enticed to try this new gardening technique because it allows them to catch fresh fish right in their own homes, and it also conserves a lot of energy at the same time. This chapter will discuss some of the basic concepts of aquaponic gardening to help you get started.

Understanding Aquaponics on a Biochemical Level

Nurturing both fish and plant using aquaponic gardening is extremely easy to do. In addition, it also provides several benefits to the environment and even on your wallet. Similar to organic gardening, this method does not rely on any chemical fertilizers. In addition, you only use at least ten percent of water that is commonly used in a typical farming process.

Once you have filled the containers with water, you do not have to replace it immediately. The only time when you will need to replenish your supply of water is when it suddenly evaporates in your tank; but wait, if aquaponic gardening solely relies on water systems, home come it uses less water than your traditional garden setup?

That is because the water supply is reused and recycled by both plants and fishes using a variety of natural processes. In a nutshell, the fishes generate organic bacteria that can turn water materials such as ammonia into trace amounts of nitrate. Afterward, the nitrate particles are absorbed by the greenery and use them as their food source.

Here is a closer look at what happens in the aquaponics cycle:

1.      The fishes that thrive inside specially-built aquaponic containers produce waste and release a lot of ammonia in the water. High amounts of ammonia can be harmful to fish, so it needs to be eradicated from their tanks in order to keep them healthy.

2.     The ammonia in the tank is thoroughly processed in order to produce good bacteria like Nitrosomonas or Nitrobacter. The former generates nitrites from the ammonia, while the latter turns it to nitrate. These types of nitrates will then be used to fertilize the nearby plants.

3.     Once the water becomes rich in nitrates, it will then be transported to the nearby plants. These leafy greens are stored in containers sitting on barrels full of water. These plant beds have holes in them to allow the roots to absorb all the nitrates in the tub.

4.     Most of the nitrates in the aquaponics tank come from fish waste, algae and uneaten fish feeds. If these nitrates are not removed from the tank immediately, it might kill your fishes. Thankfully, there are nearby plants to absorb all the nitrates in the water.

5.     Aside from the nitrates, the hydroponic leafy greens strip the ammonia and phosphorus found in the water. Once the water is filtered, it will then be transported towards the fish tank, and the cycle continues. 

Types of Fishes that Thrive in an Aquaponic Garden

Any variety of freshwater fish can thrive in your aquaponic garden. The most common fish species that gardeners cultivate is the tilapia. Other highly-recommended fishes include trout, red-claw crayfish, and even bluegill.

If you do not want to cultivate edible types of fish, you can also farm the decorative ones. A school of Koi, goldfish, and any other type of aquatic pets that you can buy in animal stores can also be used as well.

When it comes to choosing the right type of fish for your garden, you need to consider the climate in your area. Tilapia, for instance, can thrive in places that have a temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they cannot thrive once the temperature reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Trout, on the other hand, prefers colder waters than the warmer ones. You will learn more about the best types of aquaponic fishes in the upcoming chapters.

Types of Plants that Thrive in an Aquaponic Garden

There are also a lot leafy greens that you can use for this type of garden. The only ones that you cannot use are plants such as blueberries or azaleas because they need a more acidic environment in order to grow.

The waters in an aquaponic setting only have neutral pH levels, so it is not an ideal method for plants that require at least pH 4.0. Plants can flourish in any type of furniture, as long you provide them with enough sunlight. You can build them a greenhouse, or you can just set up your aquaponics garden indoors. 

Advantages of an Aquaponic Garden

·       This type of garden promotes fish farming in your own home. This means that you can eat healthy and fresh fish all the time.

·       Even though you only work in a small area, this method can yield four times more crops than a typical soil-reliant garden. With aquaponics, you can compress more plants in a single container. In addition, they also grow faster.

·       Although you need a pump and aerator for your fish to survive in the tank, you only need to use very little amount of energy to run them. You can even use renewable energy sources if you want to save more money.

·       You do not need good soil in order to start your own aquaponic garden. This means that you can build it in unconventional places such as basements, warehouses and even your garage.

·       You do not have to worry about weed infestations or plant fertilizers.

·       The process is totally organic. The fishes and plants that you harvest are healthier to eat because they do not contain dangerous chemicals.

·       It is very easy to set up as long as you understand the basic principles of aquaponics. You do not have to worry too much about buying expensive equipment because you can just recycle old items such as bathtubs or plastic containers.  

Chapter 2 – Making your Own Aquaponic Garden At Home

Building your own aquaponic garden is actually not that hard. However, you need to study a lot of concepts in order for this project to become a complete success. Just like any type of gardening, you need to be knowledgeable about selecting the most adequate equipment, choosing the right design and learning to maintain your produce.

You cannot just place a bunch of plants and fish in one big tub and expect that they will grow on their own. They need to be carefully monitored so that they will thrive and adapt well to their new environment.

To help you get started, here are some of the most basic things that you need to know in order to build a flourishing aquaponic garden.

Design of your Aquaponic Garden

The very first thing that you have to consider when setting your aquaponic garden at home is its design. If you are thinking about buying a ready-made garden, or you are following a DIY manual, understanding the available designs that you can use is vital to make this project successful.

An aquaponic garden has three basic designs. However, you have the liberty to personalize your garden and add other pieces of equipment that can make your backyard project more productive.

1.     Media-filled bed – A lot of aquaponics gardeners tend to use this design more because it is very simple and it is highly adapted for home uses. In this type of garden setting, the leafy greens are placed directly on the grow bed. You can fill the bottom of this container with various materials such as clay and gravel. The nitrate-rich water that came from the fish tank will be pumped straight toward the grow bed. Gardeners who want to use this type of design can further expand it into two other configurations. You can both use the ebb and flow method, or you can just create a system where water flows continuously from the fish tank to the growth bed.

2.    Deep Water Raft – This design is specially made for people who want to grow fishes and plants commercially. Instead of the usual pots, you will use foam rafts and floating boards in storing the plants. These floatation devices are filled with holes so that the roots can be submerged in water.  With these types of containers, you can now place your plants in the uppermost part of your fish tank.

However, the standard approach when it comes to using the deep water raft design is to place the fishes in another tank. Afterward, a pump will transport the nitrate-rich water to a filter. Then, the water will be moved to different channels that are filled with plants floating on a raft. The two different techniques are both effective in producing  a bountiful produce, so feel free to choose whatever style that suits your preferences.

3.    Nutrient Film Technique – When it comes to aquaponic gardening, the nutrient film technique is the least used among the other design types. This is more commonly practiced in hydroponics. However, it does not mean that it is the least effective design available. In this kind of aquaponic setting, the water that came from the fish tank is transferred to small channels. Very little amount of water is formed in each channel. In fact, it only creates an extremely thin film. The plants, meanwhile, will be placed in little plastic pots. Their roots are immersed on the channels in order to absorb all of the nutrients from the water. Nutrient film technique is effective for small plants that do not have invasive roots. 

Equipment for Aquaponic Gardening

1. Fish Tank - Any kind of container that is large enough to hold ten gallons of water will do; but if you have some money to spare, you can opt to purchase a fish aquarium which has good aesthetics and a lot of functions that will make your aquatic pets happy.

2. Under Gravel Filters and Pumps – If you are good with tools, you can build this one from used parts; but if you are not that skilled, you can just buy one. Some sellers even throw in a used fish tank for free. In order to improve the bio-filtration between plants and fish, the filter must be able to pull water towards the gravel. This can be achieved with the help of air pumps or air stones. You also need an air hose in order to create a two way valve that will transport water from the fish tank to the grow bed and vice versa.

3. Grow Bed – This can be any type of container that is buoyant enough to float on top of your fish tank. These include foam rafts, plastic bins and even dish pans. Just make sure that you can easily poke some holes in these containers so that the roots can be immersed in the water. In addition, the grow bed should be at least five to seven inches deep so that it can occupy most of the upper portion of the fish tank.

4. Submersible Pump – This equipment is used to pump water in the grow bed. A grow bed that measures two square feet will need a submersible pump that has a 1,600 GPH of power.

5. Tubing – These tubes should connect the submersible pump to the grow bed. Tubes are also important in order to transport the filtered water back into the fish tank.

6. Aquarium Gravel – Avoid being too stingy when buying this equipment. If you buy high-quality aquarium gravel, you can ensure it will not seep into the water and alter its pH levels. You should purchase enough gravel to fill at least two inches of your under gravel filter.

7. Growing Medium – The most ideal growing medium would be expanding clay pebbles. You can easily purchase this in retail stores that sell hydroponics equipment.

8. pH Testing Kit – This will ensure that your water has the right pH level in order to keep your plants and fishes healthy. Keep in mind that the pH levels should always be kept in a neutral state.

9. Light Source – If you are building your aquaponic garden outside, you do not really need an artificial light source since the sun can already provide you with adequate lighting; but if you are planning to create your garden indoors, you need to place a light bulb in your tanks. Ideally, your grow light should have at least 50 watts. 

Chapter 3 – Best Fishes for Aquaponic Gardening

The fish in your backyard aquaponic garden is considered as the energy source for the entire system. Thanks to their waste materials, your plants have the adequate nutrients that they need in order to grow healthy; and if you are cultivating an edible type of fish, they can also give you a lot off protein and make your body strong.

Taking care of these fishes may be a very daunting task, especially for people who are new to this activity. However, you should not be too discouraged to try it. Cultivating a school of fish in your aquaponic garden is very simple. In fact, it is actually easier than maintaining an aquarium. If you follow the guidelines for growing them, you will definitely enjoy this activity. Check out this list of the most recommended fishes for aquaponic gardening and some tips on how to take care of them.

1.  Large mouth Bass

The large mouth bass is a very delicate type of fish that should be handled by a patient gardener. This fish does not grow fast. It takes at least 17 months before it becomes ready for consumption. They do not thrive well if the water conditions are bad. This means that you need to constantly filter the water in the fish tank. In addition, they do not like extremely bright areas, and they need a lot of nutrition in order to grow fast. The large mouth bass is considered as one of the most sensitive types of fishes to cultivate. Make sure that the fingerlings will be trained to eat pellets.

2. Tilapia

A lot of gardeners prefer to cultivate tilapia in their aquaponic garden because it is easy to maintain, and they can thrive in any type of water condition. In addition, they have a mild taste, as well as a porous texture that can easily absorb a lot of flavors. If you are new to this type of gardening system, this fish is definitely for you.

Tilapia is a very rugged type of fish. They can handle a lot of diseases or parasites that comes in their way. In addition, they can also tolerate the common mistakes of beginners. Unlike most fish, the tilapia can thrive longer in water that has low oxygen levels and high amounts of ammonia. You can also grow them in waters that have a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This fish can multiply quickly. They usually spawn their fingerlings every six weeks. This can be advantageous if you want to make a profit out of your aquaponic garden. However, this could also pose a serious problem if you do not know how to handle a large school of tilapia. If there are too many fishes in your tank, it will be harder for the mature ones to grow quickly because they will face a lot of competitors.

3. Jade Perch

The Jade Perch contains extremely high amounts of omega three oils that make it a recommended fish for the health buffs. They can thrive well in warm waters. They are omnivorous which means they can eat both plants and fish pellets. Similar to the tilapia, they are one of the most ideal fishes to breed in an aquaponic setting because they grow rapidly, and they produce a lot of fingerlings in summer and spring.           

4. Trout

If you are living in places where it is constantly cold, then you can breed trout in your garden. This type of fish prefers to thrive in waters that have colder temperatures. You will not really experience a lot of problems when it comes to breeding them because they are resistant to certain diseases and they multiply fast. The only problem that you will encounter here is choosing the plants. Unlike the trout, not every type of leafy greens can handle extremely cold temperatures. This means that your choices will be very limited.

5. Koi

The Koi fish is a large, domesticated aquatic pet with brightly colored scales. Although their meat is quite tasty, most gardeners prefer to use this fish as a household ornament rather than a food source. They can thrive really well in various water conditions, as long as you do not forget to clean their tanks regularly.  

Chapter 4 – Most Ideal Plants for Aquaponic Gardening

Similar to fishes, you can also grow a wide variety of plants in an aquaponic garden; and because of the garden’s cost-efficient and energy-saving features, it will be easier for you to produce healthy crops with very minimal effort.

The most ideal plants that you can grow in your aquaponic garden are the ones that sprout above the soil and have roots that need to be constantly wet. Here are some examples to help you get started.

1. Tomatoes

If you want to grow tomatoes, you need a fairly packed fish tank. This salad staple requires a lot of nutrients in order to thrive because it undergoes various changes. There are two varieties of tomatoes. The first type is called determinate. This type of plant can produce fruits all year round. On the other hand, the indeterminate variant can only produce fruits during a specific month and condition. However, the good thing about indeterminate tomatoes is that their fruits can last longer than the determinate ones.

If you are an aquaponic gardener, you should choose the determinate tomatoes because their small frame fits well in fish tanks. It is also a good plant for beginners because you can easily determine the exact time for harvesting their fruits.

In order to successfully grow these plants, you need to place them in a more humid environment. They also require individual seeding trays. Make sure that you provide them with at least eight hours of sunlight especially when they are in their fruiting phase.

2. Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easiest plants to cultivate in an aquaponic garden. You can either plant an iceberg lettuce, or its more leafy varieties. This plant thrives well if the air temperature is at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The roots, on the other hand, require warm waters that have temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that lettuce is an ideal partner for the tilapia.

You can place the lettuce seedlings in the growing bed, or, you can place them first in a small seedling tray. You can then start transplanting the young lettuce plants they started to sprout. When you are harvesting these plants, it is recommended that you do not extract its roots and take a few leaves at a time. This is to ensure that they will remain productive all year round.

3. Cabbages

Similar to lettuce, cabbages are also considered as a staple ingredient for various dishes in China. The seeds of this plant require at least one week of germination. In addition, cabbages also need a minimum of 45 days before they can mature. Make sure that the seeds are kept in a moist environment that has a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit so that it can grow healthy. Once the cabbages start to sprout, you can transplant them in their grow beds.

4. Melons and Cucumbers

These two plants are considered as vine crops and both of them have very similar needs. You can construct a trellis that will support them while they mature, or you can just simply place them on the upper portions of the grow bed.

Generally, melons and cucumbers thrive in areas that are at least 75% humid all the time. It takes at least 2 months before these plants grow into maturity. They are at their most productive stage during their first twelve weeks. However, they will keep producing a lot of fruits for the next few months to come. 

Chapter 5 – Tips to Make your Garden Flourish

Now that you know some basics about aquaponic gardening, here are some tips to further help you with your new hobby.

1. Make sure that the location of your garden is optimal

When building an aquaponic garden at home, one of the most important considerations that you have to think about is its location. Make sure that you explore the surroundings of your home so that you can find the ideal spot to set up your garden. Check for areas where sunlight usually shines. In addition, it should have a constant ambient temperature and adequate defense against harsh winds or sudden changes in weather.  Avoid placing your aquaponic garden in areas where you usually store any harmful chemicals. This is to ensure that your plants and fish will not be easily contaminated.

2. Use water additives

When your fishes are still young, they may not be able to provide the adequate amount of nutrients that your crops need. In this situation, feel free to use some water additives in order to improve the quality of the water. The most basic additives that you should purchase are calcium and potassium. Constantly monitor and test the water so that you will be knowledgeable about its current condition. Once the fish has grown to its optimal size, you should lessen the amount of additives that you use.

3.  Maintain the right pH levels in the water

The pH level in the water may change from time to time depending on the temperature and the growth cycle of your fishes. This means that you have to adjust it every once in a while. Maintaining the perfect pH level in the fish tank is vital for the well-being of your aquatic pets and plants. In an aquaponic garden, the most ideal level falls between pH 6.0 to 7.0.

If the pH level suddenly drops below 5.9, you can raise it to optimal levels using an additive called hydrated lime. If that additive is not available, use potassium carbonate and bicarbonate as substitutes.

If the pH level spikes up to 7.1, decrease it using hydroponic acids like nitric and phosphoric acids. Constantly check the pH levels in the water for at least 5 times a week.

4. Feed your Fish

Mature fishes usually need to eat food that is equal to one percent of their own body mass on a daily basis. The younger ones, on the other hand, need to eat at least seven percent in order for them to grow faster. This means that you have to give them food at least three times every day.

Never overfeed your fishes. If they consume too much foods on a regular basis, they will produce a lot of toxic wastes. This can be quite problematic because younger plants do not have the ability to filter out a lot of nitrates and ammonia in a quick manner. If these harmful elements build up in the fish tank, your aquatic pets may not be able to survive.

If you suddenly notice that your fishes are not consuming their meals, it might be a sign that they are under extreme stress. This can be caused by a sudden change in temperature, lack of oxygen, or an imbalanced pH level in the water. Monitor the condition of the fish tank first before you make any sudden changes.

5. Place some beneficial insects on your plants

Beneficial critters such as ladybugs and lacewings can be helpful to your plants because they destroy any pests that might attack them.

Another way to eradicate these bad bugs is to knock them off using a water spray. Once these critters lose their balance, they become immobile and it will be easier for you to remove them from your plants. Caterpillars, larvae and other small pests can also be fed to your fishes.  

Conclusion

Thank you again for downloading this book! 

I hope this book was able to help you to learn the basics of aquaponic gardening.

The next step is to continue your research and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Finally, if you enjoyed this book, please take the time to share your thoughts and post a review on Amazon.  It’d be greatly appreciated!

Thank you and good luck!

-Jon

Photo Credits

“Aquaponics cycle” by NTNU- Trondheim, Stuffy of

Water Quality of Recirculated Water in Aquaponics Systems

http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:634813/FULLTEXT01.pdf

“Aquaponics Grow beds - Hawaii Dept of Ag ” by
U.S. Department of Agriculture

(No changes were made to this photograph)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/10743797973

“Aquaponics Fishtank - Hawaii Dept of Ag ” by
U.S. Department of Agriculture

(No changes were made to this photograph)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/10743797863

“pvc water outlet ” by Justin Leonard

(No changes were made to this photograph)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrap_pile/3770295587

“IMGP5136 ” by Maciej Wojnicki

(No changes were made to this photograph)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mananasoko/9128515333

“Plants” by Nicolas Boullosa

(No changes were made to this photograph)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

https://www.flickr.com/photos/faircompanies/9184687501

“the water floods the diy pipes” by Nicolas Boullosa

(No changes were made to this photograph)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

https://www.flickr.com/photos/faircompanies/9184674773

Copyright 2014 by Rach Helson LLC- All rights reserved. Copyright 2014 By Nom De Plume

Ó Copyright 2014 by Rach Helson LLC- All rights reserved.

Ó Copyright 2014 by Nom De Plume

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