How Does Aquaponics Aquarium Helps Your Lifestyle?

Those people who are drawn to having an aquarium of fish have discovered another option for incorporating marine life into their daily lives. By building an aquaponics aquarium they can also enjoy growing plants by placing them over the fish tank. This is an educational system that allows both parents and children to learn more about the symbiotic relationship of fish and plants.

Aquaponics Aquarium

In the aquaponic system the fish tank water is pumped to the plants. The bacteria in this nutrient-rich fish water transforms the ammonia to nitrates which the plants like. The plants will absorb this filtered water while a portion of it is returned to the fish tank.

This system is sustainable and continually fertilizes the water that the plant life will thrive on. Fruits, decorative plants and vegetables can grow in this system. Herbs such as basil thrive in it and grow year round. Ornamental fish such as koi and goldfish will do well and consumable marine life such as tilapia will thrive.

This is a system that can be easily be built by the do it yourself person who is handy with tools. It is possible to build the aquaponics fish tank with a basic knowledge of assembling some simple pieces of equipment. The project is quite affordable and fun to construct alone or with the whole family. This is an opportunity to make significant savings on food while integrating an organic food source into one's diet.

One need only purchase a 3-20 gallon fish tank, gravel, some pumps, a grow bed, plastic tubing, a pH test kit and fish and plants.The pea gravel sits in the grow bed that rests on top of the tank. It serves as a growth medium where the roots of the plants reach into the nutrient rich water. Other kinds of suitable gravel include packing foam, perilite, vermiculite and lava rock.

This basic system has been commercialized by many up and coming companies. Mobile kits are readily available on the that can be easily dismantled and moved to other locations when needed. Some models are designed where the plants are grown in a vertical tiered configuration taking up less space than the horizontal configuration.

Some basics in maintenance do need to be considered such as keeping an eye on the pH level of the water. This should be at 7-8 so that the fish will have the greatest chance of survival. The water temperature should also be kept constant and it is recommended that one stabilize the aquatic environment a few weeks prior to placing them in the aquarium. Otherwise the adjustment for the fish might be too difficult.

The aquaponics aquarium works well both outdoors and indoors. One can easily enjoy freshly grown lettuce, spinach peas and peppers. Basil, oregano and sage do well as well as tomatoes and strawberries. Garden flowers can also be grown for year round interior decorating. Happier fish and healthier plants are the beneficial reward one gains when taking the time to build this self-sustaining eco-system.

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What Are The Aquaponics System Designs On The Market?

The aquaponics system designs are an innovative solution to acquiring chemical and hormone free fish and plants for human consumption. The food is cultivated in recycled nutrient rich water where the plants absorb the nitrates in the water. The bacteria from the fish waste convert the nitrites into nitrates so that the system is self-cleaning.

This fish and food cultivation system has undergone decades of improvement enabling small and large populations of humans to benefit from food grown organically. Aquaponic plants are free from pesticides, hormones and chemicals and are grown in gravel rather than soil. The gravel is spread on a tray over the water that flows underneath where the roots are exposed to the available irrigation.

The best fish for aquaponics is the tilapia or salmon that swim in a separate fish tank. The water is pumped into the plant area where the nutrient rich water is available for them. The level of the water must be carefully maintained so that both the plants and fish will survive and thrive in the best conditions possible for them. Pipe configuration, pumps and sufficient filtration is included on the system to make sure there is no residual sludge build up.

The concept is simple and can be installed in large or small areas. If you have usable space in your home then you will be able to repurpose it into a self-sustaining system that can provide organic and healthy produce. Kits are available so that they take the guesswork out of piecing it together oneself. Sizes range from a patio sized version to a larger scale 90 foot by 120 foot unit that will harvest sixty thousand vegetables and twenty-three thousand pounds of fish in one year. A patio sized version is also available which will yield five hundred vegetables and two hundred pounds of fish.

Root vegetables are not suitable for this system that is ideal for peppers, tomatoes, strawberries and herbs such as basil. Basil in fact is one of the few herbs that will grow year round. It has become known as a valued cash crop since it can grow out of season as well.

For those who enjoy the convenience of raising and eating home grown fish in their own home will want to learn more about these systems. Most people will be attracted to the affordability of a technology that offers healthy food for healthier living. These units can be used equally well for ornamental goldfish to add to the beauty of their yard.

A portable version has been patented and is being offered throughout the world. Licensed distributors are able to introduce this technology to other countries and become influential in that geographic area. The local population will benefit from an inexpensive food producing system.

The aquaponics system designs require warm fresh water fish since plants prefer warmer water. They maximize the use of nutrients and energy to harvest fish, vegetables and fruit that is organic and healthy for human consumption. The system is available in an affordable price range so that the average family will be able to benefit from this technology.

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