Aquaponics is quickly becoming a popular gardening technique. Why? Simply because it makes sense! It’s more economical in the long-term than traditional gardening, it saves space and resources, it’s low maintenance, and it provides meat as well as vegetables. As with any new subject, the best way to learn it is to start with the basic terminology.
Aquaponics Terms
- Ponics” is a suffix that means cultivation, or gardening.
- Hydroponics is gardening using fertilized water instead of soil.
- Aeroponics is raising plants in the air using a misting system to provide water and nutrients.
- Aquaponics adds fish to the mix, so the fish fertilize the water for the plants, and the plants purify the water for the fish. Aquaponics are quickly becoming a very popular gardening method, providing both vegetables and fish to the gardener’s diet.
- Barrelponics is a form of aquaponics using 55 gal barrels or other containers.
Each form of “ponics” has it’s benefits and it’s challenges. For example, hydroponics work well, particularly for those who don’t want to deal with fish. The greatest drawback is the maintenance–water has to be changed regularly to add new nutrients.
The benefits of hydroponics is that it’s self-sustaining. Because the fish provide for the needs of the plants (nitrogen-rich fertilizer) and the plants provide for the needs of the fish (purified water), it’s relatively maintenance free. This system also provides vegetables and fish for the owner. The hardest part of the system is the setup.
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Components of an Aquaponics System
Have you ever wondered what it takes to build an aquaponics system?
Click here to learn more.
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Our Aquaponics Photo Journal and Further Information
- Building the Aquaponics System
- Building the Biofilter (Coming soon!)
- The Nitrification Process
- Tilapia
- Sinking the Tank into the Ground
- Need Tilapia? See what’s available at the SupUrban Farm & Garden!
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COMING SOON!
SupUrban Farm & Garden’s
GUIDE TO AQUAPONICS
A workbook for Do it Yourself Aquaponics
This workbook clearly explains everything you need to know to get started in aquaponics. Learn what it’s about, what you need to get started and how to do it. All the information you need is here in an expandable, adaptable format. Only $30!
