What is Backyard Aquaponics / Hydroponics

Aquaponics (and Hydroponics), is a term that is quite new to me, but it does seem like a very interesting system for producing organic vegetables in a very natural, cost effective way that also saves water.

Wikipedia describes Aquaponics as:

Aquaponics is a food production system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment.

The simple explanation for Aquaponics is that you can use the water that has been naturally fertilised by fish, giving the water the nutrients required for plants, to grow, which in turn purify the water, which then goes back to the fish tank in a constant cycle.

A simple Aquaponics system has a fish tank, with a grow bed above it, with an electric pump that pumps the water up to the grow bed, which then overflows back into the fish tank.

With Aquaponics there are many benefits to any other system, including:

1. Truly Organic

With Aquaponics your vegetables have absolutely no chemicals, because adding any chemicals or pesticides would kill the fish.

2. Save Water

With Aquaponics you are always cycling through the same water. So no need to constantly turn on a tap to water your plants.

3. Less Work

There is no need to cultivate your soil, or do any weeding. You only grow what you plant.

4. Natures Way

With Aquaponics you maintain the natural relationship between fish and plants.

5. Fast Growing

Plants grow twice as fast! With Aquaponics, plants always have as much water as they need. Plus the water they get is naturally fertilized by the fish.

Simple Aquaponics Starter Kit

The benefits are definately there to give Aquaponics a go to grow your own vegetables.

To try it out without to much effort or outlay, you can buy a simple system like the “Back to the Roots Aqua Farm” on Amazon for around $59.00.

Books on Aquaponics

Or there is also a large selection of Aquaponics Books to choose from to get more in depth information before getting your feet wet.