Traditionally, aquaponic design has always been restricted to ponds or containers, but the combination of fish and vegetables is now spreading to other areas. As people more commonly learn about how aquaponic gardening works, they are finding that they not only can grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruit, but the fish make the harvest much more enjoyable as well.
In an aquaponic garden, the nutrient rich water of a fish pond is used to feed the plants growing in a natural, organic environment. The fish waste produces nitrates that the plants absorb and use as nutrition. The plants, on the other hand, use the nitrates and provide the plants with the necessary nutrients. As natural organic nutrients, the fish waste natural filtering system takes care of releasing ammonia and nitrites hydrogen into the water. These can be quickly cleaned and recycled by using a natural amine product. The plants will utilize the ammonia for growth and the nitrites help in filtering the water to remove any possible contaminants.
Because of the unique nutrient composition, the water is recycled and water is released into the ground water. Because this system uses no pumps and casters, the water is produced on site in the specific tank the system is being created to hold. Generally, when you purchase a basic system, you are only able to grow a few plants at a time, but as you add fish and grow your own organic food, you can grow a greater variety of food items with your initial investment.
The water from fish tanks containing organic fish is being used to feed and maintain ornamental fish at designated sites.
The recirculation system for the aquaponic system provides for the nutrient rich water from fish ponds to be used as an organic nutrient for plant growth. The plants are generally planted in the same water as the fish are and the fish are fed with their waste products. The plants get the necessary nutrients from the water and the waste provides nutrients for the fish. This is a closed-loop system, which allows for the nutrient rich water to remain in the tank for reuse by the fish. Otherwise, the water would have been discarded along with the fish waste.
Typically, there are two types of plants grown on the system – edible and decorative. The edible plants are chosen for consumption when they are mature, or finished. The decorative plants are chosen for aesthetic purposes. They are given nutrients through the water to assist in their growth and they are even given a place of their own in the fish tank. Therefore, they assist the growth of the plants in the fish tanks, as well as enhance the aesthetic look of the entire system.
The aquaponics system is a gardening system that is completely automatic. All that is required is to feed the fish and enough vegetables to support the plants. You can grow a vast amount of food with a small system like this, allowing you to grow your own food in an aquaponics style system. Therefore, it is very much possible to be totally self-sufficient, with your food purchased online. Many people choose to buy vegetable seeds to grow during the later winter months, beginning of April. In the weeks that Gardening January takes place, your vegetable seeds will be ready to be planted in the earth in mid-March.
If you are looking for a presentable container to grow your plants in, you will want to consider planting a few herbs. They work very well in a self-watering container and you are sure to have a great selection of fresh herbs in your kitchen while you are cooking.
