Aquaponics is a system of the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics in a recirculating "closed water loop" cycle. The fish effluent (or fish waste) accumulated in the water as a byproduct of an aquaculture system is collected and channeled to hydroponic grow beds where the nutrient rich fish waste (toxic to fish but rich in nitrogen and other byproducts.) fertilizes the planted grow beds. This waste is referred to as "effluent" . The planted grow beds in turn digest the filtered liquid effluent thus reducing or elimininating the toxicity before it is returned to the fish tanks clean and recycled.

The benefits of a Recirculatory Aquaponic System: Because RAS units recycle most of their water, they consume considerable less than other types of culture systems and are especially well suited to areas with limited water supplies. The required quantity of water needed to successfully grow fish varies with the species of fish selected, size of the unit system, and the unit process equipment design. A properly designed and operated recirculating system requires a minimum daily input of water, just enough to clean the waste from the filters and to replace water lost to evaporation.

           Late September 2005 we started investigating aquaponics !

                             But first we had to build a pond!

We had a lean-to attached to our farm barn and decided to build a small trial pond there.

Building work in progress

Protective wall and windows built using second hand materials      

Glass to front and partial side to protect from the elements

 Black rubber carefully battened into place      

The pond is 15` long by 4` wide and 3` deep

We added pea gravel on the bottom of pond and a few oxygen-weed plants.

After letting the filled system settle in -we slowly added some goldfish who seem to be quite happy.

This year we have added some tiny young grass carp - who again appear to have settled in well - except it is hard to see them - just occassionally you can get a glimpse of them dashing hither and thither!  

                                        Green Genii Filter in place and working well

System up and running

Note -  watercress in black channels and chervil , parsley and other seedlings in the white gulleys

Goldfish hiding in the water

 Showing drip feed tubes into the channels

 Young baby Grass Carp hiding in the depths

We managed to make do with a lot of materials that we had lying around the place-which saved in the setting up costs.

And so far so good - now we need to expand-----

We hope to advance our knowledge of hydroponics and simple aquaponics to take on board the progression to a larger aquaponic unit - this seems like a logical step to take.

if we can interest other folk along the way and share our knowledge and help educate others, especially children - who really need to know where food comes from - so much the better.