Aquaponics System
Forum: Building an Aquaponics System
Dear members,
If you are thinking building your own aquaponics system, just check these tips provided by Chris H. Samuels on Aquaponics How to:
Things To Think About When Building Your System
Make sure the location of your system is ideal for both plants and fish. The temperature of the room should not be too hot or too cold, and your plants should not be affected by extrme weather conditions. It is optimal to build your system at waist level, so you don’t have to bend over or strain to upkeep it. Make sure that no chemical substances can get into your aquaponics system. It is a great idea to oxygenize the water in your fish tank regularly for the best results. This system works for most types of fish, but there are some states that don’t allow certain breeds of fish. Make sure to check out these regulations before starting your project!
Tools Needed
Containers
1. A fish tank- either a store bought tank or a large, sturdy plastic container
2. A grow bed- this is another container that must be larger than the fish tank
Gravel
1. Gravel for the fish tank- You will need 2.5 pounds of gravel for every 5 gallons of water.
2. Material for the growing bed- gravel, clay pebbles,or peat moss
Pumps and Tubing
1. A water pump (preferably a small circulation pump
2. An air pump
3. An air stone
4. Tubing that corresponds with the water pump, and tubing to connect the air pump to the air stone
Testing
1. pH testing strips
Life
1. Fish
2. Plants
You can purchase all of this equipment very inexpensively in local hardware and pet stores.
The Basic Steps To Building An Aquaponic System
These are the basic steps to putting your own system together.
1) Set up your fish tank- clean and place the gravel on the bottom of your tank.
2) Drill holes on your grow bed for the water to drain through.
3) Put your grow bed on top of the tank, and work the tubing from the water pump through the whole in your grow bed.
4) Put the gravel or other substance in your grow bed.
5) Check to see if your pump system is working by filling the tank with water.
6) Connect your air stone and your air pump
7) Check the pH of your water. Make sure there is no chlorine present.
8) Put your fish in the tank.
9) Plant your seeds gradually, as the system produces more and more bacteria.
What is your personal experience with aquaponics? Share it with us!
Hi,
I´d like to setup this Aquaponics System, i don´t know how I could get the solution with right choice, right investment, yeah its good scope of business. Could anyone step forward with promoting this aquaponic and RAS?
This simple aquaponics system would work, if you allow about a month for the nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria to establish. Do so by gradually adding fish and feeding them, or use small amounts of nitrate contaiing fertilzer to start the bacteria.
The system uses gravel in the bottom of the fish tank and therefore can be difficult to clean. An alternative is to move this gravel outside the fish tank to another vessel that acts as a particle filter. Particulate matter should be removed before the water is used to irrigate the plants.
I like the system concepts designed and tested at the College of the Virgin Islands. However, many other system concepts are available.
When selecting fish, you will find that some are not good candidates for tank culture. Select those that have been commonly grown in tanks and match your average ambient temperature to their optimum temperature requirement. Often buildings have temperatures that are comfortable to humans, but too cool for warm water fish and too hot for cool water fish.
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