Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

This has been touched on all over the place so now it has its own spot

the definition of Aquaponics

Is one plant floating in an aquariam Aquaponics!

Is garys system where he uses mainly bio filters [one grow bed] and satelite pots Aquaponics

Is jim fars [auto pot ] where he uses fish water plus a few extras Aquaponics

There is a few other examples i cant think of now

Comments please

If you're using fish water to irrigate plants, it qualifies as aquaponics in my opionion.

yep, I would say that too.

For me, the line gets crossed wheh anything extra other than base minerals is added to supplement the fish nutrients.

one plant and one fish qualifies in my opinion, but only if the water is being cleansed by the plant and returned to the fish.

I agree with Steve. Unless at least some of the water is being returned to the fish, then I don't think it should be classed as Aquaponics.

But in the end - it is each to his own I guess.

"One fish and one plant"???....

Like Steve says if its drained back to the fish yep...

Use a bucket/tube to feed the plant with no return????.... not so sure

To me I prefer the "closed loop" approach - water returned to fish....

But even the Auto pot shop idea has some degree of synergy....

It does make use of the fish nutrients in addition to the normal water requirement for growth.... so the overall system is still greater than the sum of its parts I guess...

I think F&F's use of autopot/hydro is a more appropriate usage of this style of product....over and above a straight hydro approach anyway

I just don't like wastage I guess

Hi,

Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics.......any combination.

The debate about recirculating/non-recirculating is interesting.....but inconclusive.

How 'bout this?

A fish tank connected to duckweed tanks. The duckweed would be the only plants. There are no bio-filters or grow beds. The duckweed removes the nutrients (largely in the form of ammonia) from the fish water. In this system, there is minimal nitrification.....and nor is there much need for it.

The only additional thing that you'd need would be some air.

The duckweed cleans the fish water and feeds the fish.

Aquaponics or not? In my mind.......Absolutely!

Gary

Interesting point Gary.....

Maybe the point raised earlier as to "the return of water to the fish tank" is the determining factor......

Maybe so - but pretty friggin boring and not going to put veg on the plate

PLants to eat and fish to eat - that is my goal...
from tank to growbed, BACK to tank... that is my way

i agree [ just wanted to put the cat in the pidgens]

I realise that - I have however pondered on what would constitute AP...
We each have our preferred ways and some have gone way out of their way to prove a point (its their time, so let them do it)... for me ap must have water RETURNING to the system from the growbeds... as to how much should return, that I have not fixed down yet

Don't you mean "put the cat in with the perchs"??

What about a flow through system? Series of aquaculture tanks, followed by a series of hydroponic growing systems with water finally irrgated on to a crop in the ground.

I am tempted to say that such a system has aspects of AP, but would not be truely AP