The unpleasant odor associated with fish farming is exclusively attributed to anaerobic bacteria. Conversely, when you are in proximity to an aquaponics unit, you can only perceive the pleasant aroma emanating from the plants you cultivate. This is because the anaerobic bacteria, which typically generate the unpleasant odor, are absent from our aquaponics system due to optimal water oxygenation.
The installation of the Discovery or Comfort kits typically requires approximately two hours, with the largest kits potentially extending up to four hours. It is important to note that an additional thirty minutes are allocated for the support structure, and another thirty minutes are dedicated to the installation of the gable roof.
Utilize fish native to your region, as they are accustomed to the local water temperature. If your water temperature control system is available, consider selecting other varieties that are suitable for the specific water temperature of your system. Additionally, it is crucial to factor in the dietary requirements of these fish. In tropical environments, Tipalia or catfish are excellent choices for initiating a fish tank unit. Jade Perch is also a viable option. However, fish such as Barramundi pose greater challenges, as they necessitate non-pellet food.
The emergence of snails after a few days of commencing the unit is an integral component of the ecosystem. They play a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness and balance of the system.
Mosquitoes may inadvertently enter an ecosystem. There are several options to deter them. Utilize a fan to generate wind that they dislike. Alternatively, in the plant area, consider using fish that do not feed on the plant roots, like Corydoras catfish, Otocinclus catfish, Neon Tetras, Guppies, and Bettas. These fish will consume the mosquito larvae present on the bed sides. By ensuring that your MIT is cleaned weekly, you can also eliminate these larvae.
We delved into the principles of towers in our labs. The primary challenges we encountered were the limited sunlight availability in the lower levels, as evident in the accompanying image on the right, where the plants below the top level grow tall. Additionally, this technique carries a significant risk. In tropical regions, if the water pump malfunctions or the water injection nozzle becomes obstructed, the plants can succumb within a few hours. The left image depicts towers that have experienced six hours of water deprivation. In horizontal deep water culture beds, the plants can endure for several weeks without water circulation. Although small plants can be cultivated in towers, their production yields are not higher compared to those produced in stacked beds.
