Aquaponics (pronounced: /ˈækwəˈpɒnɨks/) is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. The term aquaponics is a portmanteau of the terms aquaculture and hydroponic.
Aquaponic systems vary in size from small indoor or outdoor units to large commercial units, using the same technology. The systems usually contain fresh water, but salt water systems are plausible depending on the type of aquatic animal and which plants.[citation needed] Aquaponic science may still be considered to be at an early stage.
We've always done some kind of balcony gardening at home (I grew corn last summer which got 4-5 feet tall before it all inexplicably died). We always use fresh basil and mint in soup, etc.
So, the other day, someone sent me this link to a guy in Wisconsin who does large scale gardening on a relatively small plot of land.
http://www.growingpower.org/ and I noticed he was growing fish indoors
Then I found this guy who had made a much smaller system
So, my son and I went out Saturday and bought the basics, tank, pump, timer and fish.
So, yesterday, instead of bashing jimbo presley, we set up the system out on the balcony.
We finally got the timing and water flow from the pump worked out after a few trial runs, fortunately for the fish, we removed them before we tested with the red pellets in there, as it got murky.
And this morning I went out and bought my pre-started garden. Tomatoes, eggplant, basil, lettuce, green peppers and green onions.
Wholesome family fun for all!
