The brief mention of Aquaponics in the recent newsletter sure got some tremendous feedback.
It seems like a lot of you are really interested in exploring it further, and many of you are already doing it which is even cooler. We got some amazing photos sent in (see below) and some great feedback about what some of you guys are already doing.
A few people have even introduced a worm composting component to their aquaponics systems!
Now that’s right up our alley ;0
From The Newsletter…
IF YOU MISSED IT…
“This is one the the coolest things I’ve seen in a LONG time…
I know most of you are into growing your own plants and veggies, well, a simple Aquaponics setup allows you to grow 10 times the amount of product in the same space you might use in a garden, plus you eliminate all weeding and soil work. And because you’re using a symbiotic relationship with fish (you grow your plants above a container of fish), you don’t need fertilizer. The plants get all their nutrients by filtering the water the fish live in.
Check out the short video here to see a simple setup some guy is creating in his garage using bits and pieces from the hardware store and you’ll see what I mean. It’s a shame that more people don’t take advantage of the beauty of growing systems like this, systems that nature provides for us. Way more productive, cost efficient, eco-friendly, organic, and really friggen cool.”
Hans Sparreboom sent in these awesome photos of his custom built aquaponics setup…
Building The Aquaponics System
Starting The Plants
The Bottom Containers Use A Raft System To Grow Lettuce
One Week Later
Happy Fish!
If that’s not one of the best looking setups I’ve seen.
Harry is using two variations of aquaponics here:
1) Vertical grow towers, where the fish water is pumped through the top at regular intervals. Apparently he also has his composting worms inside these grow towers.
2) Raft tanks, where the water level remains constant, but is also recirculated at regular intervals.
Pretty cool right?
The really awesome thing here is how much produce can be grown in such a small space.
If this tickles your fancy, check out the short video here to see a simple setup some guy is creating in his garage using bits and pieces from the hardware store.
UPDATE:
Reader, Gordon Oliphant, also sent in some great picks of his new aquaponics setup…
“Glad to see so many people interested in aquaponics. A few years ago , I could hardly get anyone interested in it. Now everyone I talk to wants to know more. My son, Jonathan has started a ministry (aquaponicsfororphans ) to teach others about aquaponics and how to set up and run systems. It lends itself well to urban and third world applications.
This is an ebb and flow system that is 40′ x 3.5′ . When fully planted it can produce about 186 pounds of food per month. I have added worms directly into the grow bed to help keep the system clean. So far the worms are doing great . Hope your readers find this helpful. If anyone has questions or desires a helping hand, feel free to contact me. I will be adding deep water and towers in the next couple of months and then will enclose the systems before winter. ..”
Here are some photos…
186 pounds of food per month is not bad at all ;-0 Check out the video here
