Aquaponics Technology: What is Aquaponics Technology? How to prepare Aquaponics Farming Setup

Aquaponics Technology is a technology in which crops grow only in water. All types of crops are grown through water. This is one of the most sustainable ways of growing food. Along with water, fish also play a big role in the technology, which is also the basic foundation of Aquaponics Technology. Food is produced from the waste of fish, while plants keep cleaning the water for the fish, this becomes a cycle.

Aquaponics was used even before 5 BC

Let us also tell you here that before 5 BC, paddy cultivation was being done in the entire South East Asia. A large number of fish were also reared in paddy fields, which was a form of Aquaponics technology. According to them, bacteria convert the waste of fish into fertilizer and those fertilizers are used for the growth of the plant. This becomes a natural cycle. This technique has come out in a better way with the help of science in today’s time and has become a boon for those places where there is a shortage of land.

Features of Aquaponics Technology

The most special thing about Aquaponics Technology is that you can set it up in your home as well. At the same time, farming is also done with Aquaponics technology in a professional way. Here we talk about both these methods, which will make it easier for you to understand whether you can include Aquaponics as a business and how you can grow fruits and vegetables at home with the help of Aquaponics Technology.

How does Aquaponics System work?

Aquaponics System can be prepared very easily. For this you will need some basic knowledge. With the help of which you can prepare its setup.

To be successful in this, it is important to pay attention to the basic things

You cannot just keep some leafy vegetables and fish in a water tank. For this, you have to understand its system and how it works. Learning aquaponics technology is not a difficult task, but there are some challenges in adopting every technology, by facing which you can take your business forward.

Equipment required for Aquaponics System

To make an Aquaponics System, you will need a tank for the fish which can be of glass or plastic container.

Feed for feeding the fish, which has to be bought according to per gallon and the number of fish in the tank.

A water pump is required, the water pump must be of 3 to 4 watts. Which has the capacity to lift about 100 gallons of water.

Plastic tubes are also required.

Fish tanks also require air pumps as per the gallons of water, which should be about 3 feet.

Air stones.

Grow beds which are placed at the top of the fish tank.

Grow beds should have sufficient gravel, perlite, coconut coir, and expanded clay pebbles and moss to fill the grow bed.

PH testing kits are also required.

Most importantly, fish and growing crop plants.

Things to keep in mind while setting up an aquaponics system

1. Selection of location

For better results, you have to choose the right place for the aquaponics system. This is very important, because the right place will bring good results. So choose the right place to grow fish and vegetables and fruits. You have to look for the right place both indoor and outdoor, so that you can have easy access and your system does not get flooded due to lack of space.

2. Light and temperature arrangements

If you are installing an aquaponics system indoors, then there should be proper arrangement of temperature and light, you can control the temperature with a heater or cooler. On the other hand, if you install an outdoor aquaponics system, then use artificial light along with sunlight. Also, keep the temperature and light arrangements in mind keeping in mind the weather.

3. Types of Aquaponics System

There are different types of aquaponics systems. The most common of these is the media-based aquaponics system. After this, nutrient film technique, raft system, barrelponics and totaponics system are also used.

4. Water source

You have to know what your water source is, because your system needs regular water, there should be no shortage of water in it. Along with this, the quality of water is also important in aquaponics. Dirty water, hard water, water mixed with chemicals can kill the fish in your system, so always have a clean or de-chlorinated water source.

5. Selection of fishes in the fish tank

Select the fishes in your fish tank carefully. For this you can choose goldfish, guppy, angelfish and common types of fishes. It is also important to provide adequate water temperature and feed for the fishes. 

Plants in Aquaponics System

To grow plants in an aquaponic system, you have to think about what crops you want to grow in it. You can grow different varieties of vegetables as well as leafy vegetables, fruits and herbs.

You have to start your plants from seeds in a grow cube or you can plant plants on your growing bed. For better results, you can transplant plants from the hydroponic system.

You can easily plant leafy plants in an aquaponics system.

Basil

Cabbage

Lettuce

Mint

Watercress

At the same time, you can get a good start by planting beans, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, peas, peppers, strawberries.

Use of bacteria

For nitrification, you will need two types of bacteria. One is Nitrosomonas, which converts ammonia into nitrite, and the other is Nitrobacter, which converts nitrite into nitrate.

Aquaponics System

You have to take care of the fish in the tank, arrange for their food, and prevent them from getting any kind of disease. For this, regular cleaning of the tank is very important. You should feed the fish only as much as they can eat.

At the same time, you have to keep checking the pH value and also keep checking the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You have to take care of your plants in the same way as you do the crops grown on land.