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.

              April 2010

We changed some old growbeds for a large plywood framed growbed to grow  watercress.

This was the old system below that we were using.

We were having a few problems with this system due to leakages

The new system is called a CHIF/PIST- which means Constant Height In Fish tank and Pump in Sump Tank

This is the new wooden frame

The base was well supported to take the weight of the clay balls and plants

The water is carried through plastic pipes from the fish tank onto growbeds

All covered in very thick black plastic

Note grill for water to escape into sump tank

and growbed then filled with clayballs

Water from fish tank before running through the clayballs

Watercress replanted in the new system

Two 1000 gallon fish tanks holding common and mirror carp

The growbeds showing one system with watercress and the other with various herbs

We shall now leave the system to settle in and for the watercress to re-establish itself.

Watch this space!