Aquaponics Gardening

Aquaponics creates a marriage of sorts between vegetable gardening and fish farming.  Like any healthy marriage, each one supports the other.  In an aquaponics system, fish provide a nitrogen source for vegetables and the vegetable grow beds filter water for the fish creating a mutually beneficial eco-system where both thrive. And like marriages, if one is neglected the other can suffer.

Admittedly, this explanation of aquaponics is perhaps a little over-simplified but accurate nonetheless.  The mechanics of making it all fit together and maintaining it properly is where it becomes more complicated.

Aquaponics has been around for several decades, but for some reason the practice and art seems to be more prevalent in Australia than in the United States, but that is changing.

I don't have first hand experience with aquaponics, but my future plans include building a small system for experimentation and personal consumption.  Depending on the climate, various types of fish are used in aquaponics.  While tilapia might thrive in Florida, they would likely stuggle in Michigan.  Similarly, perch might do well in Wisconsin, but poorly in Texas.  Catfish do seem to be used successfuly in most climates, although in warmer climates like Florida a bigger (and deeper) water resevoir may be required to keep from overheating the fish tank.

For more in depth discussions of aquaponics, Aquaponics Gardening provides a knowledge base that can help guide you in the right direction. For aquaponics supplies, TheAquaponicSource.com has some basic systems that should do well for home use.  And, "to kick it up a notch" as Emeril Lagasse is fond of saying, check out GrowingPower.org.  If you are anything like me, you'll be amazed at the possibilities.



One of these systems will probably make it onto my Christmas Wish List next year.  Someone with more mechanical and electrical knowledge than I have could make something similar with recycled parts, but I prefer turn key systems with instructions