In this article we are going to show you 5 aquaponics secrets that you need to know to build a working aquaponics system.

Aquaponics is easy and anyone can be successful with aquaponics. It’s just a matter of knowing some key information.

So can I ask you if you want?

• Grow fruits and vegetables up to ten times faster than with conventional soil methods?
• To be able to feed your family with fresh organic produce all year long?
• Save money on your grocery bill without worrying about another food scare?

All of the above is possible with aquaponics. Now you might be wondering how, right?

Well, first let’s take a quick look at aquaponics…

What is aquaponics?

Aquaponics is like a mini ecosystem that you can have in your own backyard. You have fish in one tank and plants in another.

The “poop” from the fish is used to fertilize the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish. They work in harmony to do all the hard work for you.

It means you can grow organic produce year-round in your own backyard, saving you money on your grocery bill.

Plus, because you know where your food comes from, you don’t have to worry if it’s safe for you or your family.

Anyway, let’s look at our 5 aquaponic secrets; so you are on your way to having a successful aquaponics system

Aquaponics Secrets #1: Choosing the Right Plants

With aquaponics it is possible to grow almost any fruit or vegetable you can think of, however…

Just because you can grow a papaya or banana tree doesn’t mean I would recommend doing so. Staying away from plants that prefer acidic or soil-based environments will make your aquaponics life easier.

I would also recommend staying away from plants that prefer a pH higher or lower than neutral, such as fruit and blueberries.

My advice is to look for plants that prefer a pH between 6.8 and 7.0. These plants will flourish in a basic aquaponic system that allows for optimal nutrient uptake.

When it comes to getting plants for your aquaponics system, it’s simple. You can take seeds, cuttings, or transplants of common plants from the ground and put them into your aquaponics system (just make sure no dirt is left on the roots, as it can infect your system).

Aquaponics Secrets #2: Choosing the Right Fish

Making the right choice of fish for your system depends on the following criteria:

Are the fish you are raising for food or strictly ornamental?

Some species of fish are better for eating (tilapia is very common in aquaponics), while others, like Koi carp, are more suitable for ornamental purposes only.

What is your local environment?

Average water temperature affects the species of fish you can choose to keep in your system. If you live in cooler environmental conditions you might go for trout, in a warmer climate like Australia you might go for Barramundi.

How much money do you have to spend?

If your budget is limited, we recommend Goldfish. They are a tough and cheap fish too. Of course, I would not recommend eating them. That is why many people opt for Tilapia; they are cheap to buy and are also good to eat.

When it comes to fish, I recommend keeping things as simple as possible. So only have one or two different fish species in your system. It will make your life easier and increase the chances that your aquaponics system will be successful.

Aquaponics Secrets #3: Choosing the Right Grow Bed

Having the right grow bed is vital; it is where your plants will grow. As a beginner, I recommend using a media-based grow bed and not an NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) or DWC (Deep Water Culture) system.

The reasons are:

• Media grow bed system is easier to build
• A media grow bed system is easier to maintain
• The system is easier to adapt (think about expanding) at a later date
• You will have more choice of plants
• Grow bed substrates help break down solids and recycle water in the process known as mineralization (that’s a good thing!)

Aquaponics Secret #4: Choosing the Right Tank

State the obvious here, but choosing the right tank is critical. Let’s take a look at the size first, shall we?

As a beginner I would recommend starting with a tank that is at least 200 liters. This will allow fish up to 30cm in size.

Ideally, you would start with at least a 1000 liter tank. The bigger the tank, the more leeway you have if you make a mistake and don’t let it do some serious damage to your system.

You will see that the bigger the tank, the slower the system is affected, giving you more time to fix any bugs.

As materials you choose to build your tank. Make sure that the pH level does not change or the water becomes toxic.

Ideally, to begin with, you want the ratio of the volume of the grow bed to the fish tank to be 1:1. This will make life simpler. As your experience grows, you can increase the ratio to 2:1.

Aquaponics Secrets #5 – Water Maintenance

Understanding the quality and composition of your water is essential for optimal plant growth and maintaining the health of your fish.

You must be aware of the following:

Temperature – I recommend choosing a species of fish that can naturally adapt to the average temperature that the water will have throughout the year so that they will thrive.

pH level – As we said before, the optimal rate for the pH level is between 6.8 and 7.0 for plants. The same is true for the fish and bacteria in your system. You should check your system weekly and adjust the pH accordingly.

Purity – If you are using mains water, you must ensure that there is no chlorine before adding it to your system.

[Tip]An old trick aquarium people use is to let the water sit overnight before adding it to the tank as the chlorine evaporates.

oxygen levels – You can’t really have too much oxygen in your system. Make sure your levels never drop below 3 ppm (parts per million) ideally, although it should be above 6 ppm.

Aquaponics Secrets – A Conclusion

As you can see, the “aquaponics secrets” are straightforward and easy enough for a beginner to understand and carry out.