What Is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics refers to any system that combines conventional aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment. In normal aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity. Wikipedia

How Does Aquaponics Work?

Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic animals, and hydroponics which is growing plants without soil. … These beneficial bacteria gather in the spaces between the roots of the plant and converts the fish waste and the solids into substances the plants can use to grow.

I knew the benefit of using rabbit manure as a fertilizer for my garden. Therefore I wanted to do the same thing with fish.

Original Farm was over two and a half acres and have a large pond that have been stocked with fish for many years. This Pond was the main source to water the garden on the farm. I wanted to utilize this same concept but on a smaller scale so I researched aquaculture and raising fish in tanks.

That’s where I discovered aquaponics. Aquaponics refers to a system where you raise fish and you utilize the fish waste that is been process to be utilized as fertilizer for your plants which are growing in no soil.

I researched online on how to build a small aquaponics system. There were systems that were built outdoors and there were indoor aquaponic systems. My first aquaponics system was built indoors inside of a converted and insulated garage grow room. Continue reading on how to build an aquaponics system step by step. Where I will show you how to set up an aquaponics system.

I needed an aquaponics fish tank that was durable because I was going to put it in indoors inside my garage Fish Room.

I chose a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank as my aquaponics fish tank. This stock tank is oval in shape and has a drain at the bottom. I purchased this stock tank from Tractor Supply.

I already had a 75 gallon water trough that I use to water the rabbits on the commercial rabbit farm. I am utilizing this 75 gallon water trough as the sump tank to my DIY aquaponics.

There are several aquaponics kits online for sale for thousands of dollars. Some of those aquaponics kit had a great aquaponic system design but I chose to build my own DIY aquaponics system.