Aquaponics The Revolutionary Gardening Technique
ď śAn aquaponics garden may be one of the most cost effective, aesthetically pleasing projects you can do to create a strong, healthy lifestyle for your family. ď śThis innovative type of garden combines aquaculture, the farming of aquatic animals, and hydroponics, the growing of vegetation in nutrient rich liquid without soil.
ď śIt may sound complicated, but it really is very simple. Home based aquaponics is a controlled system where the aquatic animals (usually fish such as tilapia) are tank grown, their waste water is then pumped over grow beds that generally consist of pots or beds of gravel containing plants.
ď śOnce established the gravel beds develop colonies of good bacteria which turn the waste water into plant food. The plants filter and clean the waste water, which is then returned to the tanks. ď śYou harvest the fish and vegetation as desired, providing fresh, nutrient rich food for your family.
One of the best features about aquaponics is that you decide the scale that is best for your needs. Ranging in size from table-top units, up to fullfledged greenhouse systems, you can pick and choose the type and size of system that is best for you.
ď śMany aquaponic systems are designed to comfortably fit on an apartment balcony. Others require a dedicated space such as a garage, basement or spare room. ď śThe beauty of the system is that you can start small if you choose, then add more as your experience and confidence grows.
ď śDepending on where you live some of the warm water and cold water fish suitable to your system might be bass, perch, trout, shrimp, yabbies or crayfish. One of the most popular fish is tilapia. ď śTilapia is a mild tasting, white fleshed fish that is a great source of protein and Omega3. Simply steamed with fresh vegetables and herbs this fish makes a delicious, quick and heart-healthy meal.
ď śYou'll find as you begin harvesting fresh greens such as various kinds of lettuce and spinach, or specialty herbs like chives, basil and watercress, you may want to expand your menus to try out new different recipes. ď śPlants that yield fruit, like tomatoes and peppers are perfect for aquaponic systems so you can plan full meals from the the fish and vegetables you are growing at home.
ď śWith an aquaponics garden you'll spend less time and money at the grocery store and have more time to enjoy other areas of your life. A few of the other benefits are: ď śLow-maintenance, low-cost systems are simple to set-up, and there is plenty of variety in the systems. You'll easily find the best system to meet your needs
ď śNo pesticides or fertilizers in your food. The system organically fertilizes the plants. You have peace of mind knowing exactly the quality of the food your family is eating. And all of it tastes so good too.
ď śThis is a low-maintenance garden system. You have the pleasure of daily harvesting of fresh, nutrient dense, tasty food, yet you are not required to dig rows of dirt, pull weeds or deal with most garden variety pests such as aphids and white-fly.
ď śYour family is more self-reliant, less affected by fluctuations in food prices or shortages of your favorite foods due to weather or other forces beyond your control. With minor adjustments you can be growing food year-round in most climates.
ď śYou have a smaller carbon footprint. By growing a portion of your own food at home you contribute to a cleaner environment by eliminating transportation factors that apply to foods shipped to your local grocery store from other states and countries around the world.
ď śAquaponics provides an opportunity for income. Produce grown in an Aquaponic system is naturally organic and many aquaponic entrepreneurs sell their surplus fish and produce to local restaurants and at farmer's markets. ď śEcologically efficient. Since the water is constantly recirculated the system only requires a small percentage of the water required for a standard garden
ď śAs the interest in Aquaponics has grown, many companies all over the world have developed efficient, low-cost systems designed specifically for home based aquaponics. ď śYou'll find a huge variety of systems that are simple to set-up as well as plenty of information to help you get started with this fascinating enterprise.
You can start right now researching the best resources to get the system that fits your specific needs. We recommend a basic guide. Right here at theAquaponicsSite.com we have evaluated a number of programs created specifically for beginners who are ready to discover more about Aquaponics and set up their own systems. Read more aquaponics plans here: http://theaquaponicssite.com/