Aquaponics 4 Me
Last few weeks I have started a new hobby, called Aquaponics. No, it's not a new fitness hype like aqua jogging or calinetics and such.
Most people will probably wonder what Aquaponics actually is or means, here is a very short description: "Growing fish and vegetables using closed circuit water system, where the fish poop is used as nutrients for the vegetables."
Or as wikipedia defines it: "Aquaponics is the symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment. Alternate definition: An integrated hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aquaculture (growing fish) system."
Why Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is probably the best next step to a greener environment, after recycling and energy conservation. These things can be done without any help of the government or a big investment (solar power, wind power, hybrid car) etc.
It can also save you money (less shopping) and helps to create a greener environment. It doesn't take a lot of space or money to start a small project. It does take some time to get the system together but after that it should only be a few minutes a day. It's like watering your plants, but with the bonus that you can eat your plants afterwards.
The advantages of Aquaponics
- Growing vegetables on a smaller area
- Vegetables grow faster
- Vegetables grow without soil, no dirty hands
- Less leaking of nutrients and water
- Fish for consumption
- Less or No transport cost of food
- Fun hobby
Disadvantages
- With big power outages the water pumps and aerators won't work which will result in death fish and crops. These pumps can also break down which has the same result. DEATH.
Things needed for an aquaponic system
What are the basic parts needed to build an aquaponic system.
Aquaponic movies
Some movies explaining aquaponics and show how others have made their system
Aquaponic websites and forums
List of other websites about aquaponics or in another way helpfull with aquaponics systems