How much more can be squeezed here at our little plot in the city - you'd be surprised. There's always improvement and maximizing/utilizing space better.
Every year we like to try out new projects, especially as part of our life-school training.
This is a new experiment of here on the urban homestead so there's still lots of tweaking and learning as we go - on the fly so to speak! Justin commented that "It will be a success, only, if they are alive for more than a year and I get a second/third generation."
It's pretty cool (very pleasant) to hear the bubbling water right outside the backdoor - sorta does a good job drowning out the roaring of the 11 lane freeway that runs a couple yards behind our urban homestead.
Of course, you are all wondering what will we do with the mature fish. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it so stay tuned.
Aquaponics is a farming method inspired by ancient farming systems from the Aztecs to Egypt, based on the recycling of nutrients in nature.
Aquaponics by definition is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Nutrient rich fish water is pumped from the fish tank into gravel beds, where plants growing in the gravel extract the nutrients from the water. The water then drains back into the fish tank cleaned of excess nutrients and freshly oxygenated.
Aquaponics - The Urban Food Revolution
via TreeHugger.com
Aquaponics, from a layperson’s point of view, is the merging of aquaculture and hydroponics into a process that seems to take all of the positives from the above production systems and leave the negatives far behind.
Basically, the process involves fish, plants and bacteria. The cycle consists of fish by-products (or to the less delicate … ‘poo’) being pumped into grow beds filled with gravel. Bacteria convert the ammonia from the ‘fish poo’ into nitrites and then other good bacteria convert the nitrites in nitrates, which are used by the plants as nutrients. The beauty of the system is that a balance occurs in the eco-system whereby the water is sufficiently filtered by the plants who inturn obtain all the necessary nutrients from the fish.
Those that wish to avoid chemicals in the growing process, will be relieved to know that anything poisonous used on the plants, will kill the fish. This ‘canary effect’ ensures that natural, chemical-free produce is the only alternative and depending on the fish feed used, ‘organic produce’ would seem quite possible. Those with a water supply problem, will be even happier to know that aquaponics uses approximately 10% of normal farming practices. Environmentally, aquaponics also stands out as there is no effluent discharge to dispose of. Consequently, a person committing aquaponics can achieve quite a constant warm buzz, as they know exactly what they are eating, whilst conserving a great deal of water.
:: Resources ::
Attra Publication on Aquaponics
14 Comments: "FARMING WITH FISH" »
Share your thoughts and tell us what you're thinking... We believe in etiquette and consider those who comment here like house guests. Anyone who treats our home or readers with disrespect will receive no respect in return. Cool? Cool.
Comments are monitored and spam is digitally composted.
And oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
You may want to check out this blog since the woman who writes it has raised fish in the past. She has quite a few posts under the label "aquaponics". http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/ She is a very friendly woman located in Australia who I'm sure would be a good source of information. Good luck!
I think that's brilliant. We've had fish in aquariums and ponds for decades now.... and they have usually survived 4 or 5 years of more, spawned well and exhibited affectionate behavior!!
It's true, you will become very attached to them, as they learn to get to know you guys better.
Just a tip. when we had ponds, we would change 30% of the water every 6-7 months, because the filters, gravel, plants , bottom feeders and what not did the rest. Where did all that water go? to the plants of course.
Presently my husband and I have 2 huge aqauriums as space is limited. every week or so, the top 30% of the water is changed and the old water goes to my veggies.
They absolutely LOVE it.
What kind of fish did u use?
This is all fascinating. I look forward to reading more about this new project!
Thanks so much for this info and the UC Site with more info. I have not heard of this before. It sounds wonderful.
Claudia
Please DO NOT NAME THE FISH ! how may Tommy or Tina tapilias (sp) can the world have or need
Urban Harvest at the Food Bank in Oklahoma City is using this method i believe.
Thanks for your work
This article was on the front page of my local paper yesterday so thought I'd share. I've been by the MAP several times (my wife and I sponsored a garden bed this past year) and it is quite a testament to inner city farming and now, aquaponics.
Hopefully you'll enjoy. This article also has a link to a great video about their aquaponic operation.
Uh oh, I forgot the link...yikes!
http://www.buffalonews.com/201.....ystem.html
Hello Anais
It's good to see you're trying your hand at aquaponics. We got some excellent tomatoes, capsicums, lettuce and chard from our system. I wish you well with your experiment.
I think this is absolutely amazing. For the past year I have been reading about aquaponics and I have been trying to figure out how to use it on our Homestead. I have to admit I greedily read everything you post! My 5 year-old and 2 month-old enjoy the pictures, and so do I. Thank you for all the inspiration!
Happy Gardening.
Audra
Awesome stuff. Can't wait to see how it goes!
We've also just built an aquaponics system at our homestead and so far things are thriving. The systems take a bit of tinkering but I know that's what my husband loves about it. Can't wait to see more about your system!
What a fresh new great idea!
There are fresh water shrimp and crabs too, as you know.
Very little upkeep, just tend then eat.
Their by products, as noted, a plus of course.
Good luck with this new product.
Kevin