Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Essential Tips On DIY Aquaponics

By Samuel R. Stevens


In recent years, hydroponics and aquaculture have become the most popular food production systems. Hydroponics is basically the growing of vegetables in water whereas aquaculture is focused on rearing different species of fish such crayfish or snails, prawns and lobsters. A new trend has come up, combining the two systems for maximum utilization of resources. In this scenarios, the environment is symbiotic - waste products of one group are utilized by the other group. Here are a few basic tips on DIY aquaponics.

There are a number of fish species that thrive in this environment. These include barramudi, the eel-tailed and tandanus catfish, silver perch, Murray cod or the jade perch. Lettuce, Chinese cabbage, melons, onions, turnips, beans, radishes, sweet potato and strawberries grow well.

You will need a number of items to successfully set up the system. Your list should include a pond bin for the fish. This should have a capacity of about 200 - 300 liters. Other items to be included are a grow tub, a grow bed, extension cable (waterproof), a surge protector, air pump, wire gauze to keep away prey, a hose pipe, a pH testing kit and the finger-lings to be introduced into the system.

The first step in the process is to dig up a hole for placing the fish tank. It should be partially submerged in water so as to maintain optimal temperatures for fish breeding. To reduce water loss due to evaporation, choose a spot shaded away from the sun.

Place the growing tub diagonally above the fish tank. The grow tub has small holes punctured on its bottom through which water is channeled back to the other system. This diagonal placement makes it easy for you to control circulation and pumping. An automated surge protector is connected to the pond pump so as to regulate the pressure of the water.

After chlorinating the water and leaving it for an hour, introduce fish. In the grow tub, add clay or gravel which is the propagation media. Other than transplanting seedlings, you can soar seeds, they will germinate. Your system is ready.

Maintaining an aquaponics system is simple. All you have to do is make sure the water levels do not dwindle. Get rid of biomass waste such as feces from insects and birds. Supply the plants with supplements. For more details on this topic, type in the keywords DIY aquaponics in your web browser. Go through the results displayed.




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