Starting a DIY Aquaponics System
As previously mentioned, no need to start from scratch. You can benefit from the knowledge of so many people who have built their own DIY Aquaponics System and have been kind enough to share their experience online. In YouTube, there is a large number of tutorial videos from all over the world, teaching you step by step what to do and what to expect from your newly-built aquaponics system.
Key decisions to make involve:
- The size of the fish tank
- The type of fish to use (it largely depends on your location)
- The number of the fish (which is more or less dictated by the tank size)
- The plants you will be cultivating
When it comes to choosing a certain type of fish, keep in mind that you might want to choose the standard goldfish. It is, perhaps, the best selection for a novice, as they can tolerate almost everything! Keeping your fish in good condition guarantees good vegetable produce, otherwise, you might have to start all over again.
If you are good with your hands, there is always the option of building your own grow beds and fish tank(s) from scratch. There are plenty of detailed aquaponics systems designs which you can scale up or down, according to your requirements. They are cheap to buy and, in some cases, extra support is provided.
Purchase an already existing system
Providing the price is reasonable, this is perhaps the best solution to immerse into your own aquaponics experience, avoiding unpleasant and costly surprises. Again, you will find plenty of systems being sold on the internet. Transferring the system to your area might prove a challenge. It would be best to look for systems near your area, to minimize transfer costs.
An already tested system is a source of information. User comments can help significantly in this regard. People are not shy when it comes to sharing problems they faced or even success stories.
Summary
Although it seems hard to start an aquaponics system, it is much easier than most people think. Whether you build your own or buy an existing one, a certain degree of dedication is required for a successful yield.
