Aquaponics – Is it right for you?
Here is an overview of Aquaponics. You basically have 3 barrels cut lengthwise and laid on their sides or you have 3 horse troughs filled with water. These tanks are roughly arranged in a circle. Two troughs are connected to each other with tubing or pcv piping. In addition, the barrels are at different heights or levels above the ground or floor allowing for a free flow of water coming into at least one tank.
In Tank 1 are fish of some kind. You could use tilapia, or even trout, if the tank is big enough. Tank 2 is the nutrient tank. This receives the waste products of the fish from tank 1. Tank 3 has plants in it that were planted in upright pcv pipes that are stuck in gravel. This gravel purifies the nutrient water, so that the runoff from tank 3 that goes into tank 1 is relatively clean.
Notice that water runs from tank 1 to tank 2 which is in turn flows into tank 3. Lastly, water in tank 3 flows back into to tank 1. This is called a closed system which is self sustaining. Now, from time to time new gravel needs to be added and, as evaporation occurs, more water as well.
This is a very simplistic view of the aquaponic system. This does serve to show you how your protein and vegetables can come from one source. Even your fertilizer is produced for you in this system. Imagine the cost savings as you enter into the growing system.
I welcome comments on all your varying experiences/expectations from aquaponics. Perhaps you even have a working system that you would tell us about in a guest post.
This exciting new urban/rural frontier needs to be explored as we move forward toward a more healthy style of living.
Of course, the question still remains — is aquaponics right for you? An informed buyer is a dangerous buyer. So, in the near future, look for more information concerning aquaponic systems. The old adage, an informed buyer is a happy buyer, may still be true.
Related Blogs
- Aquaponics in the S.F. Bay Area :: The Ethicurean: Chew the right thing.
- Aquaponics Secrets Trailer | Ecofilms
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[...] called aquaponics where you grow plants in a barrel or trough. I suppose you could get as fancy as you wanted to make [...]