What is Aquaponics?

Here is a quick look at the introduction to aquaponics that I have in the beginning of my little eBook.  I hope to have a version I am happy to post on the FundRazr campaign as a 'perk' for peoples kind donations.  How does this look to you?  Please feel free to share any thoughts on writing style or general content.  Thanks for your time!

What is Aquaponics?

Basically, aquaponic gardens and farms are attempting to re-create the system that nature uses. In an environmentally controlled area, such as a greenhouse, these systems are used with great success to raise both fish and plants in a closed loop waterway.  As the fish live, breathe, eat and make waste their water can become quite toxic to them if left untreated.

Aquaponic gardens, however, clean and filter that water for the fish before it returns to them.  As the water is pumped through a system, it will travel through both bio-filters and plant roots, each having a very important part in keeping those fish healthy.

The biofilter, aka your happy bacterial colony in the growing media, are a two part team.  The first part converts the raw ammonias from the fish pollutants into nitrites and then the second part  finally converts those into nitrates.  Once these previously toxic elements have been naturally converted they become a healthy source of nutrients for the plants that are growing in the aquaponic garden bed.  The plant roots are eager to get any source of extra nutrients that they can find, and as such, they will rapidly deplete them from the water rushing by.

It is by taking advantage of this natural bacterial cycle that aquaponic gardens are able to do so well for food production almost regardless of the gardeners personal skill level.  It is my opinion, that aquaponic gardens might just be the much needed answer to providing food security for individuals as well as for entire communities.

When edible fish and plants are used they can provide more than enough food in return to cover the initial cost of setting it up.  If you think of your garden as an investment, it’s the best returns you can find on the market without breaking the laws.  Think about the price of a packet of seeds when compared to the price of some produce!  It’s even more when you use the price of ‘Organic’ foods for your math and I feel that aquaponic foods are probably better for you anyway.  Did you know that ‘Organic farms’ can still use fertilizers and pesticides as long as those products are ‘certified’?  Using anything like that in an aquaponic system would cause massive damage because they are designed to use technology to simulate nature.

Nature doesn’t have those type of products … just saying.

Avoid these 3 Easy to Make Aquaponic Mistakes

Believe it or not my dear readers, I've made a few mistakes along my aquaponic journey.  No, it’s true … I really have.  I'm kinda still making some of them.  Sure, I have some great growth on my plants and my SWC aquaponic garden bed is covered in lush green growth.  Sure I've been at it for almost 3 years now … oh my, I've been at this for three years?  Where does the time go … anyway, back to the topic at hand.

The easiest mistake to make with a new, or an old, aquaponic garden is over planting.  What’s that?  I hear you asking about how that can be if  one of the advantages of aquaponics is it can grow so many more plants?  Here, let me explain this thought a little better.  Plants need a few basic things besides just water and nutrients.  Light and air flow are great examples of this.  Even though you CAN grow 50 plants in 16 square feet of garden, really doesn't mean that you should.  Based on my own personal experiences, I would recommend using something similar to the square foot gardening method when it comes time to plant your aquaponic garden bed.  Yes, it’s less plants but it’s also more nutrients for each plant so think about the potential for a bumper crop of whatever you plant in there.

Over Planted Much JT?

The second super easy to make mistake is shallow garden beds.  I have two grow beds that are each only 6 inches deep and I can honestly tell you, it’s not deep enough.  Sure, I saved a few dollars buying the shallow bed and sure I saved a few more when I made the second one at that same depth.  However, it’s just not a good idea.  It may work, but it’s not a good idea.  I think that ideally an aquaponic garden bed should be at least 12 inches deep to allow for proper water flow and bacterial function.  Plus deeper beds allow for adding worms to help with any solids that might sneak past your filters.

An Excellent Example of a Bad Drain,
sadly taken in my greenhouse today.

The third and final mistake that can be made with great ease involves drains.  One can be easily tempted to use an extra piece of the irrigation pipe to make the drain for the grow bed.  DON’T DO IT!  When it comes time to build your drain think big.  Like Texas big.  Big.  As a minimum I would recommend something at least twice the size of whatever pipe is feeding water into the garden to ensure a smooth a quick drain cycle every time.  Drains, bell siphons in particular, seem to cause many fresh aquaponic gardeners a great deal of frustration that can easily be avoided by building a wider drain.  Simple as that.

So here you go, learn from my mistakes … don't repeat them.
Now go out there and get growing!

JT Bear