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Showing posts with label aquaponics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aquaponics. Show all posts

Sunday, September 1, 2013

feeding the hungry

A Report On How Aquaponics System Helped Feeding The Hungry Program?  

 "The day that hunger is eradicated from the earth there will be the greatest spiritual explosion the world has ever known. Humanity cannot imagine the joy that will burst into the world." - Federico Garcia Lorca, Spanish poet

How An Aquaponics System Fixed the Food Scarcity Problem of an Indian Village?


The panic and suffering of human hunger is the driving force behind my joining an NGO who was
feeding th ehungry
working on "feeding the hungry & the homeless" in Maharastra, a western state of India. We created an ecosystem approach to grow food, called aquaponics using the same blueprint as taught by Texas aquaponics group at Austin.

This system helps us not only solve the food shortage crisis in that area, due to economic & climate change, but also helped to improve the economic conditions of those farmers. This survival is essential during any emergency.

Aquaponics really involves two very sustainable technologies in their own right: aquaculture, or the ability to grow fish and aquatic organisms in water, as well as hydroponics, the growing of plants without soil.

Are you interested to know how you can start aquaponics in your backyard?

Click here to get backyard aquaponics gardening tips using step by step DIY aquaponics guide. You can have your own vegetables like lettuce, herbs, spinach, watercress, tomatoes, cucumbers.

The idea is to take the waste from the fishes and mix it with the water. The water becomes a nutrient-rich feed for the plants.  The plants will take up those nutrients, filtering the water for the fish before it returns clean and sustaining a closed loop system.   Ultimately, it is about recycling wastes into resources.  It is about creating ecosystems in areas where they otherwise would not exist. It is about combining complimentary technologies together to try to close the loop on food production while promoting biodiversity. Ultimately, it is about producing food.

We try to use use rain water to avoid dangerous bacteria  such as E. coli and salmonella. 

Within an aquaponic system, it is possible to grow 30-50 kilos of vegetables for 1 kilo of fish waste produced. 

Next, we integrated vermiculture (or wormeries).  We take the waste from fish and grow plants with them, but once we have grown those plants, we take the waste of those plants and put them into wormeries. Whether it is the root system or outer leaves. From that, we can produce vermicomposte to provide soil enrichment for soil grown crops and worm tea, which provides a biopesticide to spray onto the plants. This also includes a foliar fertilizer as well.

Next, we started using black soldier flies.  These incredible little creatures outcompete the disease carrying blue and green bottle maggots. We then take cooked and uncooked fish waste, the guts, the head, and all the processing wastes, and we put them in enclosures where the soldier flies eat. Here they turn that waste product into a usable form of protein. 

De-composing with black soldier larvae is a fascinating & rewarding method as a part of green technology.

Next, we take the soldier flies that have fed from those fish, and use them to produce food to feed to chickens, and then we use the chicken waste to produce more soldier flies to feed back to the fish.  The result is more output and further lowering of our input.  Along with the chickens, we get eggs.  We have also integrated giant freshwater prawns, which clean algae from the water.

Are you interested to know how to create a chicken coop at your back yard?


Click here to download the guide which we followed to build attractive & affordable  chicken coop by Bill

We have integrated this closed loop system with photovoltaic systems & biomass heating to reduce energy costs. We followed the solar stirling plant guide to create electricity from sun.This is very critical for the success of the program because cost of electricity is high and there is an issue of electricity in remote villages of India. We have reduced our cost by 40%.

A video by one of our colleague on Solar Powered Aquaponic System Grows Fish and Vegetables in his earlier assignment




We prefer to grow tilapia as aquaponics fish because they are omnivorous, meaning we can feed them a wide variety of different foods. Tilpapia has high  tolerance for a wide range of pH, temperature, and oxygen levels Here is a grate information on  how to raise tilapia to maintain continuous fish supplies.

Here is  a video on growing tilapia at home .

It also helps us move away from many of the problems with aquaculture that rely on capture fisheries, to produce fish meal into pellets which actually produce less fish than the fish they are taking to produce the food.

We are growing a wide variety of herbs and salad crops under energy efficient lighting. We are yielding around 40 plants in a square foot. Our experiment shows that this breakthrough technology has the potential to solve the world’s food shortage crisis.

So just to summarize, in terms of closing the loop and meeting our global challenges, what do we really need to do? It is estimated that we will need to produce 50% more food by 2030.

What do you think is the best way to do this?

The simple answer is that we will need to produce more with less.  We know our resources are finite and we know our population is growing, so we need to produce more with less. In order to feed our growing population, I think we need to start producing food everywhere. We need to excite, inspire, and to engage the next generation to give them the skills possible to meet our global challenges.

Five Ph.D. students joined our group and they are helping us to examine the use of these blue prints in Georgia (US), Uganda & the Phillipines. In my next post, we will show you photos and videos of our aquaponics system in Uganda which is our prototype solution to provide food for starving african children.

We believe this is a life changing experiment becaue you will discover a way to grow food up to ten times faster, use 70% less energy, and absolutely revolutionize urban life.

We have calculated with 10% cost of the food bill cost, we can have a proven system to get rid of food crisis in rural area and can control prices of vegetables.

Click here to download our report on how to use Aquaponics PROFITABL to solve FOOD CRISIS problems in rural areas.

Here are some informative articles on various aspects of aquaponics system

Get your hands over an amazing Aquaponic System that covers each and everything about starting and maintaining an easy aquaponics system, from what aquaponics is all about, to setting up the fish tanks and grow beds, to selecting the proper organic fruit and vegetables, to breeding your fish, and much more.
In this article, we will talk about the actual steps to building aquaponic gardening and some sources to find the parts you need.
Aquaponics can be used under porches, greenhouses or anywhere to a person's liking. There are also support kits and chemicals to help clean fish tanks and garden beds. For those that are not familiar with this process, there is a step by step instruction in explaining how this process works and the benefits it can add to any household.
A home aquaponics system is great if you're interested in growing more plants in less space. It is becoming more and more popular with organic gardeners. It's gradually becoming a popular hobby. All aquaponics systems and aquaponics farming actually makes use of growing fish alongside a crop of plants (fruit and vegetables mainly) this is done in a totally natural way.
You can use aquaponics to create your own indoor garden.in your basement or spare bedroom.  You will get  flowers, fresh vegetables round the year without using  chemical fertilizers.
Here we have discussed three kinds of aquaponics design for gardening & landscaping.
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, and hydroponics…in other words, growing plants in a container that runs off into a fish tank (where there are fish). The water that is used to hydrate the plants comes from the fish tank, and it is purified before being used for the plants. The fish byproducts work as a form of fertilization and help to nourish the plants.

Leave your comments on use of aquaponics, in our feeding the hungry program in developing sustainable organic farming techniques in urban & rural areas.
 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Aquaponics System Design

Break-Through Organic Gardening Secret : Aquaponics System

 Get your hands over an amazing Aquaponic System that covers each and everything about starting and maintaining an easy aquaponics system, from what aquaponics is all about, to setting up the fish tanks and grow beds, to selecting the proper organic fruit and vegetables, to breeding your fish, and much more.

It's designed to teach you all of the essentials on starting a self-sustaining aquaponics system that will save you the time and money of buying expensive organic vegetables and fruits at the market.

It’s a complete step by step guide for aquaponic system design for backyard aquaponics & large commercial aquaponic system!

You might be thinking all this sounds great…


  • No more watering, weeding or worrying about your garden…
  • No more labor…
  • No more countless hours during the hot summer days…
  • No more grocery shopping for organic foods…!

Each and everything you wish to know about selecting your system style, fish tanks, grow beds and media for your grow beds is explained step by step.

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was growing fish and tasty, fresh vegetables in their backyard… for just pennies? We want everyone to be able to experience the perfect garden.

That’s why we’ve put a highly cost-effective price on our amazing aquaponics system.

Right now, the package is only $37.

Remember, we’re taking all the risk. If you believe that our Aquaponics guide doesn’t work for you, we don’t want your money. Request a refund and we’ll give you every penny back–no questions asked!

If you're seriously considering about having Your Very Own Aquaponics System then you really don't want to miss this valuable information!

Grab it NOW!

Click here to download a step by step guide on aquaponic system design 

Here is an illustration on how Mary converted her aquarium into an indoor aquaponic system
aquaponics system design

































































Click here to download a step by step guide on aquaponic system design


Additional helpful Resources:


Design aquaponic system at home or your locality and enjoy all the amazing benefits . Here is a great article on using aquaponics systems for feeding the hungry.






Sunday, July 28, 2013

aquaponic gardening

7 Steps To Building An Aquaponic Gardening At Home


aquaponic garden
aquaponic garden at my back yard
In part one of aquaponics information for beginners, we talked about  how Aquaponics 4 you helped me to design & build my own system at home.

In this article, we will talk about the actual steps to building aquaponic gardening and some sources to find the parts you need.

Follow the given instructions carefully, and you'll know how to make a fully functional aquaponic system. How to assemble it may seem tricky at first, but it's relatively simple once you get the hang of it.


A video on Aquaponic Gardening


My recommended 7 steps on aquaponic gardening for growing fish & plant together


Step 1: The fish tank will need to be placed in the ground, partly submerged in the soil, as this will help maintain the optimal temperature for the water and the fish. So you'll need to dig a hole for the tank to be placed in. Place the tank in a shaded area, as too much sunlight will cause quicker evaporation and the tank will require more frequent refilling.

Step 2: Now take the waterproof cable and connect it to the water pump and the air pump and attach them to the power point. (Make sure it stays Switched OFF!) Remember to cover up the electric parts with a waterproof container, and keep it away from the fish. Burying it into the soil is the safest.

Step 3: Closely place the plant-grow tank diagonally above the fish tank. This will help the water pump and circulate between the tanks more easily. The grow-tub should also have tiny holes drilled at the bottom at its tip, which faces the tank below so that the water penetrates and returns back to the fish tank. The tiles can also help by creating a slanted roof, over which the water will slide into the tank below.
Step 4: Connect the pond pump with the garden hosepipe and the automated surge protector.

Step 5: Now de-chlorinate the water by leaving it be for an hour. Then add the fish.

Step 6: Add the grow matter, such as clay or gravel into the plant tank and place your plants into the tank as well. You can also plant seeds, which will germinate without any problems.

Step 7: You will need to keep a check on the water level and the fish. Keep them well fed, as that is directly related to the growth of the plants. Also giving the plants regular vitamin supplements will be very beneficial for their general well-being. Make sure that the tanks are not contaminated by feces from birds and insects. 

Always remember to clean your aquaponics system at least once a month.

I’m excited after seeing my success in growing up the system at my backyard with little effort and some initial investment.

Are you interested to set up your own garden?


Diwnlaod Aquanponics 4 you PDF manual. This is a step by step guide on how to build a  diy Aquaponics garden at your backyard.

Aquaponics: Bringing Organic Gardening to Cities And Drought Stricken Regions


Now I’m working with NGO to use this break-through organic gardening secret in cities and drought-stricken regions in Maharsatra. I am taking help from GrowHaus — co-founded by Adam Brock,who works in partnership with JD and Tawnya Sawyer of Colorado Aquaponic. I'm planning to use rainwater harvesting and an Aquaponics systems together. I'm planning to use a flood and drain system instead of a nutrient film system or a deep water raft system.

This NGO provides consulting on aquaponic food production. Finally, we want to build commercial aquaponics, because this is a good investment strategy with high ROI.

We are building aquaponics design software like Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems, but this will be more focused for farmers on the Asian subcontinent.

The prime feature of our design will be an integrated heat exchanger that will dramatically improve both energy and water usage efficiencies.  The typical aquaponics system requires between a 6% to 8% water change per day, while our system averages about a 2% water change per week, due to the extra water added through the dehumidification process.

If you would like to contribute to this project, which is not only good for India, but also good for the sustainability of the planet, please send us help with your generous contribution. I thank you in advance for your support.

Please click the link to donate $5 to help us deploy the pilot in villages 

We are also planning to create a project self-cleaning fish tank that grows food in  crowd funding platform like Kickstarter. Here is another article on how we are using aquaponics system to support feeding the hunger program in India & Africa.
Share your best tips on aquaponic gardening below. 

Sunday, June 30, 2013

aquaponics kit

Online Aquaponics & Aquarium Store

Aquaponics is a new method of gardening for the 21st century. It works by filtering fish manure to an external flower bed, helping plants grow while cleaning the fish tank at the same time.

To know more read Sylvia Bernstein  best selling book A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together.

Anyone can get Aquaponics Supplies and can be purchased from a nursery, gardening center or from the internet. This is great for those who do not have yards or live in the cities. Aquaponics supports all kinds of vegetable so people can have access to quality, plant foods.



Items are fairly basic with the gardening bed, fish tank, pipes along with the necessary tools to assemble everything. Customers can be an all in one kit that will come with instructions along with other supporting supplies that will make for an easy setup. There are a variety of Aquaponics that can be used both indoors and outdoors. The tanks themselves can also come in many different forms from a clear water tank or a large bucket.

Aquaponics can be used under porches, greenhouses or anywhere to a person's liking. There are also support kits and chemicals to help clean fish tanks and garden beds. For those that are not familiar with this process, there is a step by step instruction in explaining how this process works and the benefits it can add to any household.

What You Need to Set-Up An Aquaponic System?

I will get you started with a simple list of materials you should purchase to begin building your very own aquaponic system at home. These supplies should be easy to find and inexpensive too!

The Basics
Here's what you need to get started:
• Fish tank
• Grow Bed
• Grow Bed Support
• Water Pump
• Pipework and fittings

Supply Details
Here's a little more detail about the supplies you need.

Fish Tank

 
The best option for a fish tank in a DIY aquaponics system is a stock tank/water trough, which you can get from animal feed/agricultural suppliers. Stock tanks can be used as is, with no modification required and they look more attractive than other options.

The fish tank should have the same volume as the grow bed, ie. a 1:1 ratio. The tank should be relatively low and wide so there is plenty of surface area in relation to volume for better exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide..

Opaque containers are best, if you choose one that's not opaque algae may be a problem.





Tuff Stuff Products KMT99 HD Oval Tank, 140-Gallon


Grow Bed
 

The best option is a hydroponic flood tray, which you can get from hydroponics suppliers. They only require minor modifications in order to install fittings. A depth of 12″ is best because it allows you to grow the widest variety of vegetables. You can buy aquaBundance spacesaver aquaponics grow bed - flood and drain from Amazon.


Pump


The best type of pump is a magnetic drive pump because it has less moving parts, and there are no seals to wear out. The pump should have a sufficient flow rate to circulate the entire volume of the fish tank at least once an hour. aquarium pump  


PP40006 : 400 GPH, Submersible, Aquaponics/Hydroponics/Fountain/Pond/Aquarium Pump - 6' Cord



Auto Siphon


An auto siphon controls the flooding and draining of the grow bed. You can buy aquaparts aquaponics bell siphon which is one of the best seller from many stores.

Plumbing Components
Pipework:
• drain - 1″ PVC pipe
• water inlet - either flexible tubing or rigid PVC pipe, 1/2″ diameter or greater.
Fittings:
• drain - 2 elbows and 1 bulkhead
• water inlet - bulkhead and valve/tap

You can get all of the above from a hardware store, hydroponics store or pond equipment supplier. The process is easiest when you follow along on a DIY video while setting-up the system. Once you've purchased all the materials mentioned above, you are ready to begin setting up the system.


Here is an f\grest article on how to use aquaponics system to support feed the hunger program.

Article Source: 



Friday, June 21, 2013

Home Aquaponics Made Easy

A home aquaponics system is great if you're interested in growing more plants in less space. It is
 becoming more and more popular with organic gardeners. It's gradually becoming a popular hobby.

home aquaponics


All aquaponics systems and  farming actually makes use of growing fish alongside a crop of plants (fruit and vegetables mainly) this is done in a totally natural way.

Click here to but best aquaponics guide.

Here are the list of requirements to build small scale home based system. You may read my article on home aquaponics kit to learn more.

An animation video on home aquaponic system



7 Requirements to build  at home Aquaponics

1. A nice space, you don't need a massive area to run an aquaponics system but you will need to ensure that you have room enough for the system to be placed.

2. A fish tank, this one is a no brainer. There is a lot to consider here since the size of the tank you choose affects how many fish you can have and how many plants you can grow.

3. An aquatic pump, you can use efficient pumps from most aquatic stores. The power of the pump depends on the size of your fish tank. The staff at the aquatic store can help you will this. An aquaponics grow bed, or even a normal grow bed. Make sure you clean it well before using it since you don't want the system getting clogged up.

4. Tubing for water flow, the type of tubing you get will depend on what system you end up building. Some different types of aquaponics systems work better with different tubing.

5. PH testing kits, this is to check the pH of the water in your system.

6. Depending on what fish and plants you want to grow you may need to get a water heater. This is rarely required though.

7. You will need some gravel or clay to support your plants. In Aquaponics the plants roots sit in water not soil so you need some gravel to support your plants. The water will run though the gravel and back into the fish tank.

You may click the link to learn in home aquaponic system design.


Deciding upon stocking an aquaponic fish species

In the initial setup we would recommend perhaps opting for an all year round fish species that can cope with your yearly climate and this will save on half yearly harvesting.  You can use Tilapia , Trouts, Crappies to start with. However, tilapia  is the best  fish for aquaponics. 


Here is a great book on  fish farming techniques.

What Plants Grow in Aquaponic Systems?

Aquaponics systems do quite well growing leafy crops such as but not limited to - lettuce, spinach and herbs. The reason for this is attributed to the generally high nitrogen content in the water. There have been over 300 different aquaponic plants.

Benefits of at home aquaponics

1. At home aquaponics use around 2% of the water that a normal organic garden would use and due to the low power pumps used in home aquaphonics the energy bill is also very little. Using alternative energy source like solar cell you can reduce the cost further.

2. The work required to maintain an aquaponics set up is very little compared to maintaining an organic garden where everything grows in soil.

3. Plants grow much faster and the fruit and vegetables taste amazing

4. You don't have to think about infertile land or worry about common pests attacking your plants.

John Fay, a highly respected aquaponics expert and certified organic farmer.  To know more about  home aquaponics DIY , you can download John's ebook Aquaponics 4 You.  

About Aquaponics 4 You ebook -There are 33 pages crammed full of superb information, along with graphs, diagrams, and even two videos, which ensure that anyone is now able to start an aquaponics garden at home. The graphs that are included for your benefit are easy to understand, and just as easy to follow, while the diagrams and videos guide you every step of the way.


Aquaponics made easy

You may click the link to learn how aquaponics system can be used for feeding the hunger to eradicate world hunger.

Share your idea on home aquaponics below as comments


Indoor Aquaponics

How to Grow Vegetables Year Round With Indoor Aquaponics?

You can use aquaponics to create your own indoor garden.in your basement or spare bedroom.  You will get  flowers, fresh vegetables round the year without using  chemical fertilizers.

Video On How to build a desktop aquaponics system for indoor gardening



3 good reasons to start indoor aquaponics


SAVES CASH

Instead of having the need for tons of resources for traditional farming, aquaponics enables a recyclable system that is purely self-sustaining. Besides the need to pay for the initial equipment expenses, there is no need to continually buy expensive chemicals and/or materials to maintain it.

EASY MAINTENANCE

Fish typically discharge ammonia (waste) that in traditional farming is not reused. However, with aquaponics, that same waste can be reused for vital nutrients for the plants. Therefore, with your indoor aquaponics system, you'll be surprised that upkeep of the system can be a lot easier than the maintenance of a fish tank.

LESS CARBON FOOTPRINT

Less land is needed to produce crops in an indoor aquaponics system. Matter of fact, an aquaponic farm can be constructed pretty much anywhere you have space. If you have a space in your home that you can place a fish tank, you can have an indoor aquaponics system. It's a lot easier than you might think.

Recommended indoor aquaponics Fishes

  • tilapia
  • large mouth bass
  • sunfish
  • crappie
  • koi
  • barramundi
  • silver perch, golden perch
  • pacu
  • various ornamental fish such as angelfish, guppies, tetras, swordfish, mollies
Recommended Plants:
  • peppers
  • cucumbers
  • tomatoes
  • beans
  • peas
  • squash
 Plants that have higher nutritional demands and will only do well in a heavily stocked, well established aquaponic system.

Indoor aquaponics lighting


The following considerations should help in setting up aquaponics lighting.

1. The use of metal halides in aquaponics is highly recommended. This is because this kind of lighting system is efficient enough to produce around 80 to 120 lumens per watt.

2. A comparable option for metal halide is the use of sodium bulbs.  Sodium bulbs make use of sodium (excited state) to create light. Experts also note that these bulbs pose lesser pollution risks than some lighting setup.

Cost of Indoor aquaponics system

An indoor aquaponics system can require a significant amount of money to create as it will be necessary to purchase a tank, pump, plants and other sundries to make it work.
  • 12 square foot Tabletop System costs $270 to build if you build it.
  • 48 square foot Tabletop System costs $510 to build if you source all materials.
  • lMurray Hallam’s 7.23 square foot Balcony System costs $970
  • The Aquaponic Source’s 8.5 square foot Aquabundance system costs $1,295
Other Related Contents on indoor Aquaponics
Click here to know how we are using aquaponics system to support feeding the hunger program across the world. 

Important Aquaponics Design Considerations

Tips on aquaponics designs and landscaping

Landscape designers and garden planners are increasingly using Aquaponics in their garden designs.

There are  many benefits to Aquaponics
1.No need to water daily
2.Fast growing organic food
3.No soil and
4. No weeding

This mean that an Aquaponic System can easily be incorporated into any sized garden.

Once you begin researching aquaponics design, you'll discover there are several options.

The design of the aquaponics system will depend on the available space, climate and the type of fish you plan to raise.

Here are several important design considerations to examine and understand before getting started.

Kinds of Aquaponics Design

For a start, you will have to choose the right kind of  design for your garden or backyard.
Media-filled beds are the most popular option. This is the simplest design, as well, which turns it into a great possibility for beginners. The plants are planted on a media-filled grow beds. Water is pumped from the fish tank to the grow beds, providing the plants with nutrients.

Deep water culture is the second design possibility

Floating boards are added to the top of the fish tank. Holes are drilled in them, allowing for the placement of the plant pots. The roots of the plants are then directly submerged into the water. Deep water culture aquaponics designs are most common for commercial uses.

The third possibility is called nutrient film technique

This type of design is more common in the world of hydroponics but it can still be used for an aquaponics system. The water from the fish tank is pumped through small channels. Plants have their roots submerged in these channels. This system is more specialized, thus mainly suitable for growing green leafy vegetables.

Fish Tank Design Considerations

The design and the size of the fish tank will determine the types of species that will be most suitable for the aquaponics system. A general rule of thumb is that one pound of fish needs five gallons of water in the fish tank.

Any container can be used for the fish. Some people start with very small buckets to move on to full sized tanks. The stock density of the fish is the factor that will determine the number of grow beds.
To make the process easier, you can try a shallower fish tank. Traditionally, aquaponics beginners go for a fish tank with a height of 30 inches. Reduced tank height will still provide the fish with enough space and it will make it much easier for you to pump water to the grow beds and to provide the plants with nutrients.

Grow Bed Considerations

As already mentioned, the media-filled beds are the most popular option, especially in the case of DIY backyard aquaponics. If you decide to give this possibility a try, you will have to understand the relationship of the fish tank to the grow beds and the design considerations connected to those.
The grow beds need a solid substrate like clay or gravel.

The solid substrate will make it easier for the fish waste to be broken down. Proper filtration & grow bed are very often the key for success.Click the link to know aquaponics system can support the feeding the hunger program.
Aidan Johnson is the author of the article & he is an expert in Aquaponic Design. Check out his website here: http://aquaponicsexperts.com

Resources on aquaponics design 

1. Visit The Art and Science of Aquaponics to know from their founder David Rosenstein  about bootstrapping a business based on aquaponics.

2. The Aquaponic Gardening Community - is made up of people primarily in the US who are mostly hobbyists.

3. Backyard Aquaponics - is again hobbyists but this is primarily individuals from Australia
 


4. I have seen greenhouses running aquaponics systems that are full of flowers....to know more visit best plant to grow in an aquaponics system 

Other related contents on aquaponics design



 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

What is Aquaponics?

Are you interested in growing your own vegetables, fruits, or plants, but don’t want to spend a small fortune on a greenhouse or a costly hydroponics setup?

If so, you may want to consider aquaponics. Using an aquaponic garden will enable you to set up a much lower-cost garden – one that will allow you to grow plants as well as fish. It’s not only practical, but it’s beautiful as well!

What is Aquaponics?




Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, and hydroponics…in other words, growing plants in a container that runs off into a fish tank (where there are fish). The water that is used to hydrate the plants comes from the fish tank, and it is purified before being used for the plants. The fish byproducts work as a form of fertilization and help to nourish the plants.

Aquaponic Gardening by Sylvia  is a step-by-step guide on aquaponic design to raising vegetables and fish together

Why You Should Consider Aquaponics?

There are a number of reasons that you should consider aquaponic gardening:
  1. Aquaponic systems use less water — When you water a traditional garden, the water is absorbed into the ground – where it will nourish the plants but also run off into the groundwater.  It actually uses about 90% less water than a conventional dirt garden
    where the water can run off or seep past the root zone. The plants are never stressed by to
    little water or to much water, so they grow at up to 50% faster....
  2. Plants grow more quickly — Interestingly enough, aquaponic systems can make your plants grow a lot faster. Plants grow so much better using the aquaponics system. This is because they get food nutrients from the fishes continuously.There’s also no risk of depleting the soil’s nutrients, and there is no real need to use soil for growing the plants.
  3. Aquaponic systems are clean and organic — Most people that run an aquaponic garden will grow only organic food and plants, as the system needs to be clean in order to keep the fish alive. If you were to use pesticides and chemicals on your plants, the chemical runoff into the tanks below would kill the fish. This style of gardening allows the plants to grow without the use of any chemicals.
  4. Aquaponics saves energy — With a hydroponic growing system, you have to purchase lights, sprayers, a drainage system, and a lot more. Hydroponics will end up using a whole lot more energy, not to mention water. With aquaponics, there is really only electricity that’s used. The pump has to circulate the water, the filter needs to clean it, and there are some grow lights used. However, other than this, there is not much else that is required to set up an aquaponic garden. It will cost you about 75% less than the other types of gardens.
  5. Aquaponics is much safer — When you grow plants in soil, there’s always the risk of bugs, pathogens, bacteria, and even small creatures getting into your garden. With an aquaponic garden, there’s no risk of anything getting into your plants or your fish. As long as you keep the water nice and clean, your garden should stay perfectly healthy very easily.
  6. One of the beauty's of aquaponics is that it's totally scalable. The processes that work in a backyard sized system also work with a fish tank and a pot .

Top 3 Preventable Problems With Aquaponics

If you were to know some of the problems that can happen with an aquaponics system, this would allow you to help prevent them while you are building your own. There are many things that can go wrong, however, it doesn't take much to get your system running properly and effortlessly.

1. One of the most common  problems is the algae formation.The nutrient tank should be made of dark material, to limit the light exposure. Along with dark material, a lid for the reservoir is a must. Having a light proof aquaponic system is the goal in preventing algae.

2.An aquaponic system with high water pressure has an increase chance of leaking to occur. These leak issues can be avoided pretty simply by using a hydroponic system designed for low pressure pumps, like the nutrient film technique.

3. Clogging can be an issue if you are using drip systems or spray systems like in an aeroponics system. Clean it regularly.

How To Get Started?


The easiest and fastest way to set up your own Aquaponic System is to follow a simple step by step guide. Visit Kickstarter to know more about  Home Aquaponics Kit: Self-Cleaning Fish Tank That Grows Food
Here is a great article on how to use aquaponics system to support feeding the hunger program 

Monday, May 13, 2013

DIY Aquaponics Systems

Why I Thank John Fay For his Guide For Diy Aquaponics Setup? 

In Jan’12, I attended a seminar on " DIY Aquaponic Systems" by FAO, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations on sustainable agriculture.

Aquaponics 4 you
Aquaponics systems
The agenda of the session was how to use technology & sustainable agriculture in rural parts of countries to increase farm productivity to meet the demand of food for 9.1 billion people by 2050.

 3 Top Reasons For Global Food Crisis 

  1. Lack of water 
  2. Farmable land to feed the world
  3. Climate change 
These are currently interfering with steady food supplies  which triggered spiraling staple food prices around the world.

I really liked the presentation and demonstration of a new food producing system called Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems that is far less dependent on water and land than conventional agriculture. It is not affected by climates or seasons, and provides pesticide free and locally grown food as a business investment in commercial aquaponics to solve the possible food crisis in near future. 



One of the seminar, I met with Mr. John Fay. He is an aquaponics expert and certified organic farmer. He authored a best selling ebook Aquanponics 4 you.I downloaded the book online and build one in 2 months by following the step by step process of organic gardening as explained by John in his book.

Are you interested to grow vegetables at your backyard?


Click the link to down load do it yourself Aquaponics manual  for step by step instruction.

In this article, aquaponics information for beginners, I will discusshow you can set up aquaponics system at home. I also share my experience on Tilapia farming  which is one of the most famed fishes with high
commercial value.


Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.

diy aquaponics
Aquaponics 4 you - a step by step guide to build the system at your back yard

In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants for vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. The term aquaponics is a portmanteau of the terms aquaculture and hydroponic.

The whole aquaponics system is a biofilter. To know this system is working you need to check the levels of ammonia, nitrite & nitrate in the water. Visit  Aquaponics Journal to learn more about  the biofilter. I personally prefer to use trickling bio-filters because you get much more nitrification than a grow-bed of a similar size, it is cheaper to build and it works well for limited space.

What is amazing in Aquaponics is that, once the system is initialized, the water stays Ph balanced and remains crystal clear.

What You Need To Create Your Own Aquaponic System For Your Home

Here is a video on How To Build A Desktop Aquaponics System For Indoor Gardening, which helped me a lot initially along with the  Aquanponics 4 you book. You can easily download aquaponics 4 you pdf  at your computer. It costs $37 only and comes with money back guarantee.

DIY Aquaponics video





To build the system at home will require some basic items. First, you’ll need a small pond and a Grow-Tub with a Grow-Bed that is to be kept above the fish tank.

Here are the following parts you'll need to purchase ( at least I purchased) in order to Do It Yourself Aquaponic

Kit & Supplies diy aquaponics setup

  1. Pondmaster PMK1250 Pond Filter with 250gph Pump
  2. MT99 HD Oval Tank, 140-Gallon -a  heavy-duty, smooth edges, impact resistant with industrial endurance. 100-Percent recycled LDPE flexible plastic which gives a rubber-like quality.
  3. AquaBundance SpaceSaver Aquaponics Grow Bed
  4. Hydrofarm CK64050 Germination Station with Heat Mat
  5. A 1000-1500 liters Pump for the pond that is powerful enough to pump the water up towards the plants’ tank, which is usually situated at a height of 1 meter or more.
  6. Aquaponics Bell Siphon
  7. A waterproof extension cable that is about 10-15 meters long
  8. An Air Pump with dual outlets that are at least 15 meters in length.
  9. EHEIM Everyday Fish Feeder Programmable Automatic Food Dispenser
  10. An Automated Surge Protector that will pump water into the system every 2 to 3 hours.
  11. A Water Purifier Pump for constant circulation, purification and oxygen supply.
  12. You'll need Tiles or Slaps of Brick to make a roof for the fish tank.
  13. A Wire Gauze Or Bird Wire to protect the aquarium fish from prey.
  14. A long Garden Hose Pipe
  15. A pH level testing kit like Poolmaster 22260 Basic 5-Way Test Kit with Case
  16. API Freshwater Master Test Kit
  17. Electric Tape, a Drill and a Pair Of Scissors.

Last but not the least, some aquaponics fish, the type you like to eat or keep as pets such as:Angelfish, guppies, gold fish or the Betta fish, as well as aquatic plants (as vegetables or as decoration).

You can get everything you need from Amazon.com, like I did, and you can read other people’s reviews before you buy to make sure you are getting the best products for your needs.

The whole DIY aquaponics setup for home costs me a total of $165 (
without grow bed).


Now, initial success of  aquaponics systems, motivated me to create a large non profit commercial project in rural areas of India. In my next post, aquaponics gardening, I will share you my idea in more detail related to business plan, investment etc. along with detailed instructions on how to build an aquaponics system at home.

Please visit my article on  aquaponics kits & supplies from various stores with various price ranges.


Related tutorials which you can follow to expand your commercial aquaponics business

(1) How to solve food crisis problem in Africa using simple solutions


(2) A business with multiple revenue streams is a more viable, resilient business model because alternate revenue streams can self fund aquaponics farm growth and expansions.

Here are excellent guides on Tilapia , Koi , Mushroom & Shrimp farming which can work as additional revenue stream for your aquaponics farm.

I thank John for teaching me these simple system which is really helpful to rural villages where water & farmable land is an issue. With little effort & guidance villagers can solve their food crisis problem for ever.

Also, small business owners can do good business by marketing organically created environment friendly vegetables, fishes & mushroom  in local and international market. 



About the author : Alex Zorach is biodynamic certified organic farmer. He co-founded and editor-in-chief of RateTea .

Biodynamic & organic agriculture aim to promote sustainability by reducing the use of synthetic, chemical inputs which can potentially be harmful to the environment and to human health.Click the link to know ho we are using aquaponics systems to support feeding the hunger to eradicate world hunger.


Alex has an M.A. in statistics from Yale (2008), an M.S. in applied mathematics from U. Delaware (2007), and a B.A. from Oberlin College (2002). He has worked as a consultant in statistics and information technology, and also has experience in operations research,  ecology, and accounting. He is helping Kunal to set up commercial aquaponics along with  Nile Tilapia  fish farming at Pen area, Maharastra.

Please note some of these links are affiliate links. I personally read them or use them.This means if you click the link & subsequently buy, I might be compensated. This money will help me to expand our project to other villages.

Share your experience with  DIY Aquaponics systems or any other relation information below as comments.