Well, you can…..using Aquaponics.
Aquaponics is the combination of intensive aquaculture and hydroponics and is among the most efficient of all food production systems.
The three important elements in any Aquaponics system are plants, fish and beneficial bacteria. Put simply, you feed the fish, the bacteria turn the fish wastes into plant food and the plants clean the water for the fish.
Arguably, the nitrogen cycle is the most important thing to be understood about Aquaponics.
The waste produced by the fish breaks down to produce ammonia.
When the ammonia levels in the fish tank reach a certain level, bacteria (Nitrosoma) begin to colonise the system. As the numbers of these bacteria build, the ammonia (NH3) is converted to nitrite (NO2). As the ammonia levels drop, the nitrite levels increase. The nitrites (like ammonia) are toxic to fish.
When the nitrite levels in the water reach a certain point, other bacteria (Nitrobacter) begin to colonise the system. These bacteria convert nitrites to nitrates (NO3), which are less harmful to the fish.
While the microbiology associated with aquaponics is complex, the equipment needed is very straightforward.
To produce freshwater fish in your backyard, you’ll need:
- A tank
- A pump and some fittings
- A biological filter
That’s it! These three components comprise a basic recirculating aquaculture system. You just add water and some fish......and start doing some water tests.
In a conventional recirculating aquaculture system, nitrates are removed through water replacement where a predetermined volume of water is dumped each day. In a conventional hydroponic system, inorganic salts are used to provide nutrients for plants. Once the nutrient levels drop below a certain level, they are also dumped. In both situations, the wasteful disposal of nutrient-rich effluent creates environmental issues.
The addition of a hydroponic growing system to a basic recirculating aquaculture system (tank, pump and bio-filter) is what creates the microbiological miracle that we know as Aquaponics.
Our original Aquaponics system comprises an 800 litre tank, two small trickling bio-filters and a couple of small pumps. We house the system in our shed which enables us to control the production parameters more effectively and to stop leaves from blowing into the tank.
A diverse range of hydroponic systems can be used for Aquaponics. Since they all grow plants, the choice of a particular system boils down to personal preferences and the availability of resources.
Regardless of the choice of growing option, Aquaponics is sustainable on several fronts – it requires less water and it does not pollute the environment – and nor do we need to purchase expensive inorganic salts for our plants.
The smallest traces of herbicide, pesticide or even garden fertiliser will prove toxic for fish so these chemicals have place in Aquaponics. Clean food is the result.
We use a combination of flood and drain gravel grow beds and non-recirculating coco-peat tubs and trays. We also use bio-filters to optimise the colonisation of our system with beneficial bacteria.
Fish
The list of Australian freshwater fish that can be produced in a backyard includes:
- Barramundi
- Golden Perch
- Silver Perch
- Jade Perch
- Honey Perch
- Sleepy Cod
- Eel-tailed Catfish
While Rainbow Trout is not native to Australia , it can be grown in cooler climates and is an excellent eating fish.
Freshwater crayfish include Yabbies (Cherax Destructor), Redclaw and Marron.
We chose Jade Perch for our initial fish production efforts. They are hardy natives that are well suited to backyard Aquaponics.
Pelletised rations, specially formulated for native freshwater fish, are available from fodder stores. We supplement the pellets with duckweed and Soldier Fly larvae.
Plants
Many plants can grow in an Aquaponics system. Last season, we grow lettuce, soft herbs, silver beet, bok choi, beetroot, onions, tomatoes, capsicums, broccoli and zucchini. We were eating bok choi and coriander within three weeks of planting the seedlings and we began to harvest silver beet a week later.
Our experience of Aquaponics has been overwhelmingly positive.
The secret to its success is the way that it mimics nature in its integration of fish, beneficial bacteria and plants. It’s a tiny eco-system where the only ongoing inputs are fingerlings, seeds, fish food and far less water than would be required for any other plant growing method.
Each day, we harvest useful quantities of clean, fresh vegetables and herbs and, whenever we feel the urge, we eat Jade Perch.
