Aquaponic gardening is a unique method that needs some research, training, skills and management to be successful. It is not the same as the traditional method of container gardening with a potting soil or media, or the traditional methods of hydroponics.
The following items are key elements of aquaponic gardening:
Water Quality and Characteristics: Critical water quality parameters are very important. They include dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH, chlorine, and other characteristics.
Component Ratio: This is the matching the volume of water in the fish tank to the volume of hydroponic media.
Fish Species: There are several warm-water and cold-water fish species that will adapted to a recirculating aquaculture systems, including, carp, goldfish, koi, tilapia, trout, perch, and bass.
Plants: The selection of plants that will adapted to the hydroponic culture of aquaponics is related to stocking density of the fish tank or tanks, along with the subsequent nutrient concentration of the aquacultural effluent.
Biofiltration and Suspended Solids: Effluent from aquaculture contains dissolved solids, nutrients, and waste byproducts. Aquaponic systems can be designed with intermediate filters and cartridges if needed to collect suspended solids in fish effluent, and to facilitate the conversion of ammonia and other waste products to forms more available to plants prior to the delivery of the hydroponic plant beds.
Nutrients: One essential and unseen element to a aquaponic growing system is the beneficial bacteria. This bacteria flourishes in the gravel filled growing beds, and break down elements that are in the water to a form which the plants can absorb and use. In aquaponics, nutrients are delivered to the growing beds via aquacultural effluent. This is fish effluent that contains sufficient levels of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphorus, potassium, along with other secondary and micronutrients to produce healthy and thriving hydroponic plants.
A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.