Setting up your own aquaponics system is easy but requires some basic knowledge. But there are some essential things that you need to consider for you to be successful. This article is a list of the essential things you need to consider in setting up your own aquaponics system.
Personal Consideration
1. Is Your Aquaponics Knowledge Enough?
In order to successfully embark on an aquaponics venture, you must allocate a considerable amount of time, effort, and financial resources. So it is important that you equip yourself with enough knowledge before either buying or constructing your own aquaponics system.
Although aquaponics is easy to learn, challenges are always present when you start something new. There are lots of free resources available. You can also join aquaponics communities to exchange thoughts and ideas, and if you have more budget, you can enroll in an online aquaponics course.
2. What Are Your Goals in Setting Up an Aquaponics System?
What do you want to have on your own aquaponics system? Are you going to grow a wide variety of foods for your family? Do you intend to eat the fish? You need to answer these questions when planning your own system.
3. Are You Going to DIY or Purchase a Pre-designed Aquaponics System?
Purchasing a pre-designed aquaponics system or going DIY are the two options that must be given a thought before getting started in aquaponics. DIY aquaponicscan be fun and rewarding, but can be challenging. You can also purchase a system that is ready to use and comes with instructions and technical support. Either way, the choice is yours on how you want to start with aquaponics.
4. Cost
The cost will significantly affect your aquaponics system's planning and setting up. Aquaponics systems can be done on a shoestring budget or be elaborate and expensive. Remember that the cost includes the fish's costs to raise plants to grow, electricity, fish feed, and system maintenance. An ultimate aquaponics beginner's guide will help you start the right way.
Aquaponics Setup Considerations
1. Location
To get significant results, ensure you have chosen the right location for your aquaponics system. The location will affect the entire system's health all year round, so choose an area suitable for growing fish and plants. If you want an indoor aquaponics system, ensure the location is easily accessible. Temperature and lighting are not problems in an indoor aquaponics system because the temperature can be controlled by a heater or a cooler. You can also use artificial lighting to supplement the sunlight. It is essential for outdoor systems to ensure that they are placed where there is enough sunlight and safe from extreme weather conditions.
2. Aquaponics System Types
The most common aquaponics systems are the media-based aquaponics system, nutrient film technique, raft system, barrelponics, and toteponics. Do-it-yourselfers gardeners often use these types of aquaponics systems.
3. Water Source
What is your water source? Your system will need to be topped with water regularly due to natural losses through evaporation, transpiration, etc. Water quality is important in aquaponics because toxins, hardness levels, pH, chemicals, and other contaminants can kill the fish in your system. So you need to have an excellent fresh or de-chlorinated water source.
4. What Type of Plants do You Want to Grow?
Your choice of plants can affect the system you will end up building. Media-based aquaponics is the most versatile system and can grow various plants, while NFT and raft system is ideal for small rooted plants like lettuce, and strawberries. Knowing what plants will grow best in the system you plan to build is essential to ensure its success.
5. What Fish Do You Want to Raise?
Do you want to raise edible fish? What species is readily available in your area? These are some things you need to consider in setting up your own aquaponics system. The most common fish raised in aquaponics systems are tilapia, catfish, goldfish, and koi.
6. Components
Understanding the components needed in building your aquaponics system is essential because you must carefully consider the design, setup, and location that work best for you. Aquaponics system components vary in style and size, and each plays an important role. So it is vital to consider your designs and components before setting up your system.
These are the following components that you need to set up your aquaponics system:
Fish Tank - Depends on the size you choose, but a round fish tank is the recommended fish tank shape in aquaponics.
Grow Bed - Grow bed for media based aquaponics system, pipes for NFT and raft boards for raft system.
Grow Bed Support - The frame that will support the weight of your grow bed
Sump Tank - (Optional) This will depend on the design of your system.
Plumbing pipes and fittings - Depends on the type of your grow beds, system, and other factors.
Water pump - The size depends on your desired tank exchange rate and several grow beds.
Bell Siphon - This is required in a flood and drain or media-based system.
Grow Lights - This is required in an indoor aquaponics setup.
Heater - Optional. This depends on your location, fish species, and target water temperature.
Grow Media - Required in a media-based system. You can use expanded shale, clay pebbles, gravel, lava rocks, and other inert media.
7. Supplies
You need the supplies to ensure that your system is maintained correctly and smoothly running.
Water Quality Test Kit - This is important in monitoring your system's water quality.
Fish Food - You need a supply of fish food for your fish.
Cycling Kit - A source of nitrifying bacteria or ammonia required in system cycling.
Fish Care Products - These are fishnets, thermometers, automatic feeders, etc.
Gardening Supplies - You will need supplies like gloves, pruning shears, a sprayer, etc.
Seeds and Seed Starting Supplies - Net pots, germination trays, or seed starting kits will need to get your plants off to a good start.
Conclusion
Making these considerations is essential for the success of your aquaponics system. A successful aquaponics system requires proper planning and considering your system's design before you start.
Don't get discouraged by the problems you encounter because they will provide you with experience and learning. Always remember, there are many available free resources available on the internet. Keep reading and watching those free resources, and you'll surely learn a lot.
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