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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