Aquaponics / Hydroponics (DIY Setups)

Curious about the possibility of growing your produce in a drought prone area? And in sync with fish? Aquaponics utilisees the fish run-off to feed your plant roots which are suspended in a hydroponic medium or trays and their roots are a two fold solution to both cleaning the fish waste from the water and feeding the plants the 14 nutrients it requires to grow and be healthy!

In a typical aquaponic system, fish are kept in a tank or pond, and the water they live in is circulated through a hydroponic growing bed where plants are grown.

As the fish excrete waste, it is broken down by beneficial bacteria into nitrates, which are then absorbed by the plant roots as nutrients.

This process not only provides the plants with essential nutrients, but it also removes harmful toxins from the water, making it safe for the fish.

I have tinkered with these systems in both the home garden and at the research farm where I worked for VCE (Virginia Cooperative Extension) as an agriculture specialist extension agent for 4 years… And worked under one of the pioneering minds in aquaponics - Mr. Christopher Mullins! VCE Specialist in Horticulture specifically Greenhouse, High Tunnels, Aqua/Hydroponics and Industrial Hemp production.