Did you know that plants can grow without soil as long as there are fish? While this may sound fishy, this approach is becoming more popular because it is both easy and sustainable.
The system uses aquatic animals and plants placed in one environment. This method is called aquaponics and it benefits both plants and animals because they are integrated in one recirculating system.
Aquaponics is organic farming and it is a natural process that is inspired by lakes, ponds and other waterways. Pesticides and other chemicals are not allowed because these might kill the fish, therefore also killing a part of the system. The only input you will need is fish food.
When the fish eat, they will excrete waste. The fish waste then acts as a source of food and nutrients for the growing plants. The plants then help in water purification by acting as a filter.
It is easy to start and maintain
Setting up your own system is easy and can be done by anyone. In fact, aquaponic growers have done a variety of set ups for both outdoor and indoor locations. Aquaponics can even be done in small spaces such as a basement or a garage.
Some backyard aquaponic growers set up big production systems in greenhouses that can grow up to a hundred pounds of fish as well as to provide an abundant supply of vegetables for the whole family.
Ensure that your fish tanks and other materials are food-grade plastic. This is so that chemicals won’t leak into the system. Do not use any containers that were previously used for non-food contents.
You can easily find a lot of affordable D-I-Y kits. Some companies even provide training materials. Basically, if you decide that you want to start your journey as an aquaponic grower, resources are readily accessible.
Once you have started, you will be surprised when you realize how convenient and hassle-free aquaponic growing is. After setting up and placing the plants, fish and other materials inside, you can just leave it and wait for harvesting.
There is no need for constant weeding, watering and checking for pests. Of course it is still a good idea to check from time to time to see if everything is working perfectly.
Grow a salad in your own home
Did you know that through aquaponics, you could actually grow more produce compared to conventional farming? This is because the nutrients are reduced during conventional farming and farmers try to replenish them by using various fertilizers.
With aquaponics, you can also grow vegetables almost twice as fast as when they are grown in soil. This is because with aquaponics, the plants are submerged in the nutrients for 24 hours.
A number of experiments were done to determine which plants would thrive best in aquaponic systems. Results showed that plants such as lettuce, tomatoes and other leafy vegetables grow well in the system. Root vegetables, on the other hand, did not show the same positive results.
You can also plant cucumber, cabbage, broccoli and even parsley. There are other environmental factors that will affect your plant choices such as amount of sunlight and temperature.
Don’t worry too much though because you can easily change the plants from time to time. It’s okay to have fun experimenting with which plants are most ideal for your situation.
You can serve the vegetables to your family or sell them to friends and relatives for a cheaper price compared to marketplaces or groceries.
Maintain the home of the fish
Like the plants, there are also a lot of aquatic animals to choose from such as fish, shrimp and even prawns.
Both edible and ornamental fish can live in your aquaponic growing system. Perhaps the most common fish raised in aquaponics is the tilapia — a hardy freshwater fish that grows fast. It can tolerate different kinds of water quality and conditions. Other fish such as goldfish, koi or carp can also be raised in your system.
Surprisingly, the fish that grow in an aquaponic system also taste better. They are also healthier because they do not have additional antibiotics.
You can consume them with your family at home, or you can sell them to other people. You will also be confident if you sell the fish because you are sure that they grew up in a healthy and clean environment.
With aquaponics, you just need to take care of the fish the best way you can and they will give back to you by providing nutrients that the plants need. Aside from being a potential source of additional income, aquaponics also saves space and cost.
Imagine growing vegetables with no fertilizers and chemicals — it’s convenient and healthy at the same time!
The benefits and opportunities that come with aquaponics are endless since it is continuously being studied. It is not yet too late to invest in this revolutionary farming system, which may just be the answer to the problems of food security.
