Aquaponics and Home Gardens

The history of aquaponics dates as far back as 1,000 AD, when nomadic tribes settled near Lake Tenochtitlan in Mexico and needed a place to grow food. The lake was surrounded by hills and marshes, so the Aztec Indians made rafts which they covered with soil from the bottom of the shallow lake and planted vegetable crops on top of the chinampas. As the plant roots grew they would hang beneath the raft in the water and absorb nutrients from the natural resources.

What is Aquaponics

It is a combination of aquaculture and hyydroponics, i.e. raising fish and growing plants without soil. To simplify, the fish and plants grow together in water that is rich in nutrients.

How does aquaponics work

When fish eliminate their waste most is passed as ammonia in the urine and the rest as poop. The organic carbon (fish poop, dead plants, etc.) in the water is mineralized by heterotrophic bacteria and converted to ammonia. There is a natural bacteria that lives in water, soil and air called nitrifying bacteria which changes the ammonia to nitrite first and then to nitrate.

In an aquaponics system, plants absorb nitrate when the water supply for the fish, which may be a fish tank, pond, lake or aquarium, is pumped and circulated through the plants grow-bed.

Aquaponic Research

Research on aquaponics started around 1970 and continues today, in 1997 John S. Pade and Rebecca L. Nelson began the publication of a scientific journal titled, Aquaponics Journal which focuses on the application and research of aquaponics world-wide. Later in 2008, the book Aquaponic Food Products was published.

Continued research is important to improving the technology, the aquaculture industry is attempting to reduce the dependence on land, water and other resources while raising fish. Fish farming and growing plants without soil goes back to ancient times, but combining both processes is still fairly new. Many Universities around the world dedicate resources to the study and research of aquaponics because it is an ideal way to grow plants and raise fish; the need to further the technology is ongoing.

What does starting, maintaining and producing healthy fruits, vegetables and herbs require? The obvious, time, supplies, sunlight and a place to grow your garden. Let's assume you buy seeds and start from scratch, you'll have to clean out an area in your yard for the garden to grow. To do this you'll need some gardening tools. An area with good sunlight. And healthy soil with nutrients.

Once you decide where you would like your garden you'll need to spend time turning the soil or buying fertilized soil and buy seeds to plant. Then you will need a watering system, you can use a garden hose, and watering a garden is an everyday process unless it rains often; then you'll need proper drainage.

Perhaps you don't have the patience to wait for seeds to grow, so you invest in starter plants. Great, but depending on how many different types of veggies, herbs and fruits you want to grow this can get quit expensive. Now you have your starter plants, which are usually out growing the pots they are in and need to be replanted as soon as possible, so you will have to purchase more pots. Now, if you haven't done it already put on your garden gloves and start turning that soil, and prepare to transplant the plants one by one; then do the watering, add the fertilizers, chemicals, etc.

Either method you use when you garden in soil don't forget to water your plants as needed. So, expect your water bill to rise some. Oh, you may have to buy pesticides (which have chemicals that get absorbed by the plant roots) and be sure to remove those pesky weeds as they grow. Basically, you will continue to work in your garden as it grows. Garden tools, soil, pesticides, chemical nutrients, and a lot of time is invested in gardening. Cross your fingers and hope your efforts result in luscious, healthy plants.

There are a few people who truly have a green thumb, whatever they plant grows and thrives. Then there are those of us who would love the benefits of our own vegetable gardens, but with all our good intentions and hard work we can't get anything to grow except our frustrations.

Initially, you will have to learn how to set up your Aquaponics system, but once you do your plants will grow with very little work. Naturally, you have to check your plants and fish to make sure everything is fine, but that takes minutes a day.

There's no more pulling weeds. The Aquaponics system eliminates the need for back-breaking and annoying weed pulling. You don't need to buy or use fertilizer or soil.

With an aquaponics garden the complete process of nutrient delivery to your plants, which is absolutely critical, is almost completely automated. It works naturally without you, that's the best part of this system! Fish and plants provide for each other.

No soil means no pests, so there is no need to buy pesticide, that results in amazing plants and fruit without toxic chemicals. Aquaponic systems grow most plants twice as fast. For example, lettuce usually takes sixty plus days to mature, with this method of gardening it takes only about twenty-nine days. And because the water is recycled and you may only need to add a little from time to time from evaporation you use less water than conventional gardening!

Those are some pretty impressive differences, which include saving money, energy, water, and time. Plus, you garden will grow faster, healthier organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. Are you ready to build your home aquaponics system, and start growing your own healthy vegetables and herbs, you can get the step-by-step instructions at Aquaponics for you.

AquaBundance Aquaponics System, Terra Cotta includes 60 gallon tank, 12" deep bed, steel frame with casters, pump, fittings, 150 liters of hydroton, timer, and DVD. The world's first organic gardening system designed to grow plants and fish all year indoors or outdoors.

AquaBundance is a highly productive aquaponics system, grow a variety of plants using organic nutrients supplied by fish growing in adjoining tank. Great for those with some aquarium and gardening experience, not required it also makes a great starter system as long as you are willing to learn.

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals 34 Fresh Water Aquarium Master Test Kit for Testing High Range pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate Levels (See all Pet Houses & Habitat Accessories)

Setting up and starting an aquaponics garden doesn't have to take up a lot of space, you can enjoy growing your own herbs and veggies even if you live in a small space such as a dorm room in college with these small convenient starter kits!