Starting your own Aquaponics system at home is a great investment for you and your family. If you have a big empty space in your yard or lot, why not make a big aquaponics system in that area? This will not only be an abundant resource of food but also a promising livelihood for your family. There are many types of aquaponics systems you can start with. Backyard Aquaponics names the three most common systems that you can adapt for your home.
1. Media Filled Beds
Media Filled Beds are the simplest type of aquaponics system that you can start with in your backyard. Instead of soil, it uses another alternative compound like clay or pellets.
Media filled beds operate in this manner: "Water from a fish tank is pumped over the media filled beds, and plants grow in the rock media. This style of system can be run two different ways, with a continuous flow of water over the rocks, or by flooding and draining the grow bed, in a flood and drain or ebb and flow cycle," based from Backyard Aquaponics.
2. Nutrient Film Technique
This type of system is more popular with Hydroponics. Some NFT systems are made with simple materials like PVC pipes. This approach is more organized but some plants don't grow well in this system.
According to the article, "In NFT systems, nutrient rich water is pumped down small enclosed gutters, the water flowing down the gutter is only a very thin film. Plants sit in small plastic cups allowing their roots to access the water and absorb the nutrients."
3. Deep Water Culture
This system is the most commonly used in the commercial area of producing plant foods. DWC system is letting plants grow its roots as it floats in the water. There are many ways to achieve this type of setup, one form is through foam rafts or some is on top of fish tanks.
