Aquaponicsis one of those concepts that I’ve known of peripherally for years, but didn’t really give much thought to until I came across plans forThe Plant in Chicago. Putting fish and plants together in a closed loop (that’s organic by necessity) strikes me as a brilliant use of biomimicry… or, at least the notion that “waste equals food” in the natural world. But The Plant’s a huge endeavor – can a backyard tinkerer put together an aquaponics system on the cheap?
In short, yes… and, as with other DIY projects, the creators of these systems are eager to share. After digging around the web, here are a few of the best (or, at least, most interesting) plans that I came across.
The Apartment Balcony Aquaponics System
Neal McSpadden’s demo aquaponics systemsits on the balcony of his apartment, and makes use of readily available materials like 5-gallon buckets. You can’t grow edible fish in a system this size, but he does have range of vegetables growing. A good video if you’re still scratching your head and thinking “I don’t get it.” (viaoff-grid)
The IKEA Indoor System
No, IKEA does not sell aquaponics systems; thisplan at wikiHow, though, uses the retailer’sAntonius frame and wire basketsproduct as the basis for one. This looks ideal for indoor use: very self-contained. (viaSuburbanFarming at reddit)
The Plastic Barrel System
As you might imagine, Instructables has a number of aquaponic projects available.Engineering for Change’s plansreceived lots of good feedback; they’re also very plastic-heavy, though (if that bothers you). On the upside, there’s lots of room for reuse here: no need to go out and buy the barrels, for instance, as you can probably find some used ones. (vialifehacker)
The Seriously Low-Budget Aquaponic Greenhouse
Aquaponic Steve’s greenhouse and aquaponic system hybrid ain’t pretty… but, judging fromhis update videos, it works, and won’t cost you a bundle to build. I’m calling it a “hybrid” because it doesn’t appear that the plants and fish (crawfish, in this case) “feed” directly off of one another; rather, Steve has his plants in the ground, and filters the fish water with a separate filter made from moss and shells. (Also viaoff-grid)
The Piranha Lake in the Basement System
OK, we’re getting bigger now:this indoor lakewas designed primarily as an aquarium. But the designer’s using a hydroponic set-up for easy cleaning and care: he notes he’s “trying to create a system that requires practically no attention other than feeding.” At 300 gallons, it seems to me that this would be a great indoor set-up for growing edible fish in addition to vegetables.
The Old Bathtub as a Fish Tank System
If you want to explore the possibilities for small scale aquaponics at all, then theBackyard Aquaponicsforums seem like required reading – folks atPermiesswore by them! Sharing your own DIY system is part of the culture there, so I had lots from which to choose: I went withuser eco’s plansbecause they include some reuse, and because s/he included lots of pictures.
Bonus: the Kick-Ass Computer-Controlled Aquaponic Greenhouse
Not only does the video not provide straightforward DIY instructions, but it’s also well beyond what most people are going to want to do. But it’s definitely worth checking out:
我对这个概念还很陌生,所以请随意添加您自己的评论、想法和更正。如果你修补过鱼菜共生系统,请告诉我们。
Image credits:Japan Aquaponics at wikiHowunder aCreative Commons license;
Dawn @ Small Footprint Familysays
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Larry DeZearnsays
With money getting tighter, people are going back to ways of helping support their food supplies by growing chickens in their backyards, planting backyard gardens, and several other methods. Aquaponics can do all this in a limited space by providing not only fresh vegetables, but fresh flowers, and of course your favorite fish. Once it’s set up even on a small scale, you’d be surprised at the abundance it will provide. This is a very nice site and feel free to visit my site athttp://tinyurl.com/9o2zlay
Travis W. Hugheysays
“Engineering for Change’s” system looks very similar to the one I invented and released the plans for in 2005. If anyone is interested, a free copy of the 101 page Barrel-Ponics Manual go here:http://www.fastonline.org/content/view/15/29/
Travis W. Hughey
Jeff McIntire-Strasburgsays
Thanks so much, Travis – for the link, and for releasing your idea into the public domain!
Mark Millersays
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