aquaponics: what you should...


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Safety is the HIGHEST priority. Always use common sense when using the

information provided in this eBook. Always check with you local environmental

agencies to assure that the fish and plants you choose are legal in your geographical

location.


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GROW YOUR OWN FOOD

Imagine how nice it would be to know exactly what does and doesn’t go

into your food and exactly where it comes from. This is why it is

becoming so popular to grow your own organic food. Eating more plants

and vegetables is important part of maintaining your health. Contrary to

what you might think growing your own food is NOT difficult. By

growing food organically you are ensuring the quality and freshness of

your food as well as helping the environment by not using, chemicals,

fertilizers and pesticides.

If you want healthy organic food for LESS, there is actually NO easier

way to grow your own food. Some may consider it overwhelming but

actually it is not as difficult as it sounds.

The benefits of growing your own food are endless and include saving

time and money to name just a few. Eating more fresh vegetables and

fruits is one of the most important things you and your family can do to

remain healthy. When fresh plants are organically grown their vitamin

content is at their highest level which also can benefit your health in many

ways.


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There is an amazing sense of accomplishment and pride growing your

own organic food. In the global food market place, people are becoming

more concerned about food safety. You can trust that your food is SAFE

and HEALTHY since it is grown by you. So whether you are living in an

urban or rural area, you should consider growing your own food to save

money, time, eat healthier and be kind to the environment.

I hope this information will help you better understand Aquaponics and

how it can benefit you. Feel free to share this information with others.

Feel free to contact me any time with ANY questions you might have.

STOP Wasting Your Valuable Time & Money Searching for ANSWERS TRY My

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INTRODUCTION

First, I strongly suggest that you first get familiar with what aquaponics

is and how it works before you embark on ANY system. It will be MUCH

cheaper to start small and work out the kinks before trying to do the same

on a larger scale with more money at stake, etc.

Second, I am NOT going to try to sell you something that would do you

absolutely no good at this point, like others out there, without you having

any prior knowledge or understanding of aquaponics.

Once you understand how everything works and get the hang of things

you can gradually increase the size of your system and at some point

expand it as your needs change. Obviously there are a LOT of questions

that need answering and some things you will have to figure along the


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way like everyone else but this is a necessary step in learning and

mastering aquaponics.

WHAT IS AQUAPONICS?

Aquaponics is a combination of two agriculture methods to create an

altogether superior and environmentally friendly way of growing your

own organic food. Aquaponics is a method which uses the combination

of aquaculture – the growing fishes, and hydroponics – the method of

growing plants without using soil. The combination of the two yields an

organic gardening system that provides fresh plants, vegetables and fish

for food, fun or profit. With organic food prices at an all-time high many

are turning to growing their own organic food in an attempt to safeguard

their health and their bottom line.

Aquaponics is an extremely efficient form of organic gardening that

utilizes up to 80% LESS water than traditional gardening does. In many

cases it can produce 5 - 10 TIMES the yield compared with conventional

gardening methods. Aquaponics involves NO fertilizers, pesticides,

chemical additives, ground treatments, nitrogen boosters, etc. In addition

no plowing or weeding is required and maintenance requires less time and

effort since there is NO soil involved.

Aquaponics is often considered complicated or impossible to master

though this is simply NOT the case!


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HOW IT WORKS

Aquaponics nitrogen cycle is the process whereby the fish waste is

consumed by the plants to maintain proper water pH and healthy living

conditions for the fish and plants. Without this process the fish would die

and the plants would also suffer

since there would be no nutrients

to feed them. This process maybe

slightly difficult to grasp for some

but if you are familiar with raising

fish in a fish bowl or aquarium it

is easy to grasp as it is a fairly

simple process. Since we all need

nitrogen to survive, the whole

world acts as a cycle and there is

nitrogen in the air, in plants and in animals. In the aquaponics system, the

plants receive their nitrates from the fish. The plants in an aquaponics

system need a type of nitrate called ammonia. They need this form of

nitrate because it can be more easily absorbed by the roots and help the

plant grow healthy.

The fish in an aquaponics system consume their food and their nutrients

and in turn they excrete ammonia. Because ammonia can be extremely

toxic to fish, the ammonia will, as a byproduct, need to be converted into


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nitrites. The good bacteria in the water complete this process before

converting the nitrites to nitrates. The nitrates are then absorbed by the

plants roots. The water in the tank will eventually evaporate but will be

replaced by more water using the aquaponics system. This is a naturally

efficient cycle which benefits both the plants and the fish. There is very

little need to maintain an aquaponics system as it is all done automatically

through this natural cycle.

Frequent water changes should not be required if the proper pH level is

maintained. If you are familiar with having a fish aquarium this is the

same process albeit though the majority of the waste is picked up from the

fish by the plants eliminating the need to do water changes. It is

recommended that the water pH for an aquaponics system be between 6.8

and 7.2. This pH range will ensure that the water in the system stays clean,

crystal clear and tolerant to the fish.

It may take a couple of tries to get it right and it is recommended that you

start small and gradually increase the fish population as you learn how to

maintain the proper pH range and master the aquaponics nitrogen cycle.

The ratio of plants and fish in an aquaponics system should be kept at one

fish for every four plants grown. It is suggested that the fish to plant ratio

be 1:4 to maintain proper pH. In the end it all comes down to maintaining

the proper balance of fish, plants and water to achieve the desired results.


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TYPES OF AQUAPONICS SYSTEMS

Recent researchers and studies have proven there are several different

types of aquaponics systems that can be used effectively to grow plants

and fish in a closed system. Hydroponics methods can be effectively

adapted to Aquaponics. There are many different types of aquaponics

systems. They can range from small to larger commercial designs and can

easily be changed based on your needs.

This system is self-sustainable because the nutrients cycled in the water

from the presence of the fish are used to grow the plants. The set-up is

that of a tiny ecosystem where nitrogen and other essential plant nutrients

are delivered to the water in the aquarium due to the presence of the fish

and algae. The cycling maintains the perfect balance but care has to be

taken to ensure that too much waste is not harbored into the tank before it


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is converted and transported to the plants otherwise it may become toxic

for the fish.

NFT

Dr. Allan Cooper’s 1960 aquaponics

invention called the Nutrient Film

Technique or the NFT combines

aquaculture and the hydroponics

system. Growing at a rapid rate, the

NFT has yielded great results. The

functioning of NFT is simple. Fish

cultivated in a tank create effluent water that is toxic to the fish but highly

nutritious to the plants. The plants are grown above the tank or on long

pipes. The effluent water from the fish tank is pumped out through an

outlet flowing through or over the roots of the plants thus providing the

plants with nutrients, oxygen and water.

The biggest difference of NFT aquaponics is the is presence of a separate

bio filter for fine filtration of solid wastes, which performs solid

mineralization in order to ensure that all the beneficial nutrient rich solid

waste particles reach the roots. Water circulation in the pipes resemble a

thin film and hence the name.


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NFT is easy to operate and grows plants quickly and healthy too. Since

this method uses holes as growing channels, plants branch in a structured

manner. A simple NFT does not require an additional bio filter but

research shows that if a more complex NFT is to be set up in the future,

then bio filters would be required. In the present system water is

constantly cleaned of solid waste components ensuring better water

quality. Circulation of water is also constant in such a way that the

symbionts are benefitted.

FLOOD & DRAIN

An aquaponic flood and drain system is also known as the ebb and flow

system. It is mostly commonly used in backyard aquaponics and is the

main mechanism that is used to supply the plants with nutrient rich water

from the fishes and also return the filtered water back to the fish.

As with any aquaponics system, you will need the usual fish tank, grow

bed, pumps, filters and fittings and the device that controls your flood and

drain system design. Three main aquaponic flood and drain mechanisms

include a Timing System, a Float Switch System and an Auto Siphon

System. Before getting into the different designs, knowing the basics of a

flood and drain system is essential. The process is pretty simple where a

large quantity of the water from the fish tank is pumped or sucked into the

grow bed which causes the “flooding”, then it is “drained” off back into


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the fish tank or a preliminary sump absent majority of the waste which is

now serving as nutrients for the plants.

A flood and drain system makes it easier for aquaponics owners to

regulate the transfer of nutrients to their plants and keeps the fish tank

water clean. Less time is spent monitoring the system and the environment

is great for algae and worms.

TIMING SYSTEM

With the timing system, the design includes a built in timer that controls

the distribution of water to the grow bed. The timer is considered the

second best among the three aforementioned methods because the timer

can be set to switch the pump on at specific intervals to flood the grow

bed and wait for it to drain off. After the drainage, it will once again

activate the pump and the cycle starts over. Some timers are made

differently, but a good timer can be set down to the seconds for the on and

off intervals. Some timers can also be set to operate during the days or the

nights or all the time depending on the needs of the system and climate

conditions.


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FLOAT SWITCH SYSTEM

Float switches works similar to a timer, but not exactly. Instead of going

on and off based on a preset time, the float switch is placed in the fish tank

and when the pump starts, the float switch will turn the pump off when

the water from in the fish tank is down to a certain level. This helps to

prevent the water in the fish tank from getting too dangerously low or the

grow bed from over flowing. When the grow bed is flooded and the pump

is turned off, the water will slowly start to drain back into the sump which

is in turn pumped back into the fish tank. Sometimes that pump is also

regulated with a float switch if the water is not delivered back to the fish

tank by gravity based on the system design.


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AUTO SIPHONS SYSTEM

The auto siphons are probably the most used mechanism in an aquaponic

flood drain system because they do not require the need for a float switch

or even a timer. There is no need for the pumps

to be turned on and off, they can be operated

continuously to distribute water to the grow

bed. Continuous operation does not necessarily

means high energy bills because a smaller

pump can be used or a solar powered one.

The auto siphon will regulate the water thus allowing the grow bed to fill

up slowly and drain quickly. It is even said that the rapid drainage helps

the plants by providing more oxygen to the roots of the plants due to the

air that is vacuumed when the rapid drain occurs. Aquaponics systems

that are designed with a “constant height, one pump” philosophy utilizes

the auto siphon system as the water in the fish tank is kept at a consistent

height and only one pump is used to deliver the water to the grow bed and

back.

For Information on Complete Auto Bell Siphon Kits Visit the Aquaponics Authority

Online Portal...

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BATHTUB

As a variation of aquaponics,

bathtub aquaponics also involves the

use of bathtubs in conjunction to

facilitate the different subsystems of

an aquaponics system. As for the

schematic of the process, the

bathtubs are arranged in a manner

where one of them elevated and is set slightly above the other. The upper

bathtub acts as the plant grow-bed and the lower bathtub acts as a fish

tank.

A word of caution while erecting a bathtub aquaponics system is to use at

least a 50-gallon of water in the lower bathtub for safely culturing edible

fish. In addition to that, the use of pea gravel or sand in the grow-bed be

should avoided as it is could lead to clogging of the siphon drain of the

system thereby causing ineffective functioning or perhaps process failure.


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RAFT

A raft aquaponics system usually

consists of raft tank(s), a sump tank,

a fish tank, a swirl filter, a

particulate filter and a pump. The

system is comparable to the CHOP

(Constant Height/One Pump)

system however, instead of the media-based flood and drain grow beds,

raft tanks are used to grow plants.

One of the key features of a raft aquaponics system is to remove solid

waste in water and to heavily oxygenate the plant roots, thereby providing

the rationale for the use of a filtration system. In doing so, the water is

filtered to remove any solid impurities that can coat the suspended roots

of the plant, consequently obstructing the supply of oxygen to them.

The cyclic process involves the aquaculture subsystem, consisting the fish

tank, pumping the effluents accumulated in it to the swirl filter. The swirl

filter, as its name suggests, swirls the content drawn from the fish tank so

that the larger solid particles gradually settle down at the bottom of the

tank. Before entering the raft tank, the water from the swirl filter is passed

through particulate filter where it is further filtered and essential nutrients

are mineralized by the presence of active bacteria in this region. The


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resulting nutrients are in soluble form and can be easily carried by the

water to the plant roots. The raft tank, also known as grow tank, contains

floating rafts usually made up of Styrofoam, with small openings through

which the plants are supported. In addition to that, the raft tank is fitted

with air sprays to heavily oxygenate the plant roots. The water then flows

into the sump tank where it is transferred back to the fish tank using a

pump. This cyclic process continues to recirculate the water through the

various subsystems to form a symbiotic relationship between the plant and

aquatic animal life.


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IBC

Intermediate bulk containers are another great way of putting together an

aquaponic system. They are used for the storage and transport of liquids

and come in a variety of materials, though usually they are plastic when

used in an aquaponic environment. This is partially because the plastic

ones are also the cheapest but they are also semi see-through which means

you will be able to keep an eye on the liquid in there. Generally IBC's

come in a cube shape and range in size from between 27 to 78 inches in

height. Generally they also have pallet bases so that they can be easily

moved with a hand or fork lift, because of their shape they can also be

easily staked to save on space.

Intermediate bulk containers can be bought from a variety of industrial

sources that deal in pallets and containers. To use them for fish tanks you

can cut them in half and then make them safe by putting tubing around

the sharp edge. They make perfect fish tanks and can easily fit into

confined spaces since they can be stacked side by side. Intermediate bulk

containers are available from a variety of sources but it is best to check

locally to see if they are available if you wish to avoid large shipping fees.


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AQUAPONIC LOCATIONS

One of the most important steps in aquaponics is choosing the right

location for your system. Many people consider this a daunting task but

in reality it is very SIMPLE if you understand what your system needs to

function properly. Obviously plants need sunlight or artificial sunlight in

order to grow so your location MUST have access to the sun if you choose

to locate your system outdoors or near an adequate power source with

proper ventilation for grow lights if located indoors.

DESKTOP AQUAPONICS

Setting up a desktop aquaponics system

can be very simple. If you already have

the tank then you're halfway there. If not

consider familiarizing yourself with the

process of raising fish. Besides being fed,

fish also need certain nutrient conditions

or their water can become toxic. Never

locate the system tank where there is a potential for large temperature

fluctuations such as a windowsill. This can cause the water temperature

to fluctuate and can cause unnecessary stress on the fish causing water

problems and lack of nutrients, etc. If in doubt choose a spot suitable for

the fish because you can always use appropriate indoor lighting to help


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the plants grow. Before buying the tank it is a good idea to make these

decisions in case you choose a tank that is too big for the selected location.

There are also various shapes and sizes of tanks so it is important to work

within the dimensions of the space.

Setting up the tank involves filling, adding chemicals and making sure

everything is running smoothly. You may not have decided on extras such

as decorations, or bubblers but these can make your fish's life a little more

interesting and enjoyable. Allow the water to filter through for at least 24

hours before adding fish, this ensures that the chlorine in the tank has been

neutralized by the active carbon in the system. Introducing a fish too

quickly into the system tank can cause the fish to go into shock and

possibly die. It is recommended that you first float the fish in the bag that

they arrived in on the surface of the water for 15 - 30 minutes to allow the

fish to settle down and the water to adjust to the same temperature.

NEVER put the water from the bag or container that the fish arrived in

into the system tank. This will help eliminate possible disease and prevent

contamination of the water. After 30 minutes you can safely release your

fish into their new habitat. This is the first step in beginning your own

desktop aquaponic system as you have just set the groundwork for a

constant stream of nutrients to feed your plants.


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INDOOR AQUAPONICS

For those that love the concept of an aquaponic system but can't spare the

space or do not have a yard or patio an indoor aquaponics system can work

just as successfully. Indoor aquaponics can eliminate the need for weeding

and pest control making things much easier. An indoor aquaponics system

can be a conversation starter as well as an interesting addition to your

home.

Indoor aquaponics systems can be either salt or freshwater depending on

which plants and fish you would like to cultivate. Indoor systems MUST

also have adequate lighting for the plant life. Some plants require up to 10

hours per day of good quality light. If you are comfortable using artificial

light this can also be a great way to grow your favorite plants year round

in a spare room or basement.


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BACKYARD AQUAPONICS

Backyard Aquaponics offers

you a convenient way to grow

organic food in your own

backyard. The main advantage

of this method is that you will be

able to construct a larger system

versus an indoor system. The

term backyard aquaponics is pretty self-explanatory if the term

aquaponics is already understood on its own.

Backyard aquaponics refers to operating an aquaponics system in your

backyard but does not necessarily have to be situated in the backyard. It

is just that the backyard generally reserves the most outdoor space and as

such, it is often used to accommodate the aquaponics system. As a matter

of fact, an aquaponics system can be installed on a porch or balcony as

long as enough space is available for the equipment, and aquaponics

systems can be found in different sizes.

The best thing about having a backyard aquaponic system is the flexibility

to increase the size of the system based on your needs.


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GREENHOUSE AQUAPONICS

The greenhouse Aquaponics system

called media filled beds, works by

using small containers filled with a

claylike substance as the soil. The

water that comes from the fish is

usually set up in siphons and will

either run over the clay/rock soil continuously or manually. Another type

of greenhouse Aquaponics system is called the NFT, and this process is

more typically seen in hydroponics but can also be used in this process.

This method works by the plants sitting in plastic cups in a thin plastic

film, and the water runs down enclosed gutters that reach the roots of the

plants. However, not all plants will fit for this method, and larger (leafy)

plants will work best with this system. The last type of system used for

greenhouse Aquaponics is called the DWC, and this system operates by

the plants floating above the water with their roots soaked in the fish

water. The typical way this is done is by placing the plants in a floating

foam rafts over the fish tank with the roots hanging out, so both the fish

and the plants are growing. The Deep Water Culture technique may be the

best one used for smaller greenhouses, and even in smaller gardens.


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FISH CHOICES

While there is a wide variety of fish species to choose from, there also a

lot factors that must be considered. The climate, habitat, location, weather

and food chosen will affect the amount of work needed to get the desired

output. The fish provide the nutrients that are used to grow the plants and

the plants provide the right environment for the fish to flourish. One of

the first things you will need to think about is what water temperature you

are able to maintain. Fish will require different water temperatures and it

is important to make sure you know what kind of climate the fish

specifically need to survive. Different plants will do better with certain

fish and you need to know which the best fish for aquaponics are before

choosing them.


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TILAPIA

Tilapia are a hardy fish species and can thrive

in just about any water condition that the

environment offers. They prefer warm water

of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. From

fingerling stage to harvest requires less than

9 months. They can be fed a variety of food including commercial fish

pellets, duckweed, worms and algae. It is easy to breed, widely available

and can withstand dirty or poor water conditions.

CATFISH

Catfish is used almost as much as Tilapia

because of its ability to withstand the

different temperatures and climate changes.

Therefore, it is a good fish to use in

aquaponics for almost any region. It is

however a little better than Tilapia in that it will continue to grow in cold

temperatures that Tilapia may eventually have a problem with. Catfish are

great for use in colder climates or regions where temperatures vary

widely. They can be fed a variety of food including commercial fish

pellets, worms, etc.


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KOI

Koi is actually a type of Carp but is well-

loved by people because of their

attractiveness and colors. The seemingly

random beauty of a Koi’s skin makes them

a perfect aquaponic fish species. Koi’s are

considered the perfect fish in large

ornamental ponds or in aquariums meant for display. The only

disadvantage is that they are now edible and can cost more than other

types of fish.

You may be required to obtain a permit depending on where

you live. Contact your local or state wildlife authorities for

regulations and allowed fish species.


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PLANT CHOICES

After you have selected the fish for your aquaponics system, the next step

is to select the plants. There are well over 200 different plants which are

compatible for cultivation in an aquaponics system. The list is too long to

be mentioned here completely and is largely depend on your geographical

location and system configuration. Below are some of the more

commonly used plants:

Vegetables: Fruits: Leafy Greens: Herbs:

Tomatoes Strawberries Lettuce Basil

Cucumbers Melon Okra Oregano

Zucchini Grapes Spinach Parsley

Peppers Kiwi Kale Garlic


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bracken Brockston Aquaponics Authority – Owner

I know first-hand how overwhelming and frustrating it can be trying to master

Aquaponics or simply know where to begin if you are just getting started! My

mission is to help people learn and understand what aquaponics is and how it can

change lives and our planet by providing a proven sustainable organic food

production method that millions can benefit from. I am available to answer any

questions you have once you get up to speed and get started with your own system

so feel free to reach out to me and my staff at any time. Should you have ANY

questions whatsoever feel free to contact me via phone or email.

Cheers!

P.S. - STOP Wasting Your Valuable Time & Money Searching for ANSWERS

TRY My SIMPLE Step-by-Step Aquaponics System Guide RISK FREE and

DISCOVER the EASIEST & FASTEST Way to CREATE Your Very Own

Aquaponics System from START to FINISH... GUARANTEED.

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