Aquaponics Stanadard As wikipedia says too No1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A small, portable aquaponics system

Aquaponics  is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. 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 as 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.
Aquaponic systems vary in size from small indoor or outdoor units to large commercial units, using the same technology. The systems usually contain fresh water, but salt water systems are plausible depending on the type of aquatic animal and which plants.[citation needed] Aquaponic science may still be considered to be at an early stage

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Aquaponics basic Components of a system

Aquaponics - Aquaculture Meets Hydroponic Farming 

 

There are a variety of methods used in aquaculture, but the system - by definition - is a closed system. This in itself poses a problem - the large amounts of water needed to successfully sustain a healthy colony of aquatic life. When you grow commercial amounts of fish or other aquatic species you must clean the water continuously due to the high amounts of toxins given off by the waste of the crop.
Hydroponics itself poses problems of its own, namely the constant flow of water and addition of nutrients - a costly and time-consuming effort. Water must be constantly monitored for necessary supplementing with food and other components for plant health, and the constant, open circulation of water results in large amounts of evaporation of water that must be replaced continuously.
Enter Aquaponics and its benefits. If the fish needs clean water to survive, and the plants need constant nutrients, why not give each what it needs in a compatible, symbiotic relationship that, when balanced, becomes a complete ecosystem needing just a minimal amount of maintenance? That plan was put into place, and by aquponics we have the ever-expanding research of combining the two systems for the greater good, enabling more food to be grown in less space, and less water being used to grow it.

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Urban Aquaponics Basic Components

There are three part components to the system:

Your Fish, The Plants You Grow, and The Hardware You Use To Build.

1. Fish

A variety of freshwater fish can and have been used for aquaponics systems,

including carp, goldfish, trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and

tilapia to name a few.

2. Plants

Based upon your decision surrounding your choice of fish, and the stage of their

maturity, you will now need to give thought to your plants.

The Ultimate Aquaponics Home System is a float based system, and you can

either start your seedlings already in the floats or you can transfer the shoots

from a seedling bed attached to the system (an option for which your plans here

allow) or from a conventional seedling tray.

3. Hardware

Schedule 40 PVC, Pump, Floats, lumber, and water treatment products.

Many of the hardware items can be purchased locally.

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The Golden Book of Aquaponics 1

 Introduction: Many years ago, a friend of mine introduced to me the concept of aquaponics. At first, the idea seemed a bit crazy - take care of fish, and let vegetables/fresh produce grow with the help of the nutrients present in the fish tank. Let me be honest with you: I have no green thumb. Im no farmer, and I am certainly no fish expert.

And yet, something about aquaponics caught my fancy. It was the idea of true self-sufficiency that made me try it. I imagined myself being able to grow a clean protein source (fish) and a steady source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber (vegetables). It was really the stuff of dreams. Who hasnt dreamed of being able to pick clean and tasty food from their own yard?

And then there I was - looking at a simple blueprint for a backyard aquaponic system. My friend told me that he didnt have the time to experiment in his own yard and he thought about me when he was about to throwaway the blueprint.

I took the blueprint, thanked my friend, and embarked on my own personal backyard adventure. I never looked back. Now my own aquaponic system is steadily producing tilapia and other edible fish, and I have fresh vegetables to harvest every few months. You can do this, too! Why Try Aquaponics?

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