System Components and Supplies

System Components and Supplies

The following components are essential in building your aquaponics system. 

Basic Equipment /Components 

• Fish Tank– The fish tank is the home of your fish 

• Grow Bed – The grow bed holds your plants and grow media. Depending on your system, the grow bed can be PVC pipes, floating rafts, or any food-grade containers.

• Mechanical and Bio filters : Filtration tanks housing the bacteria in the system . 

• Grow Bed Support – Frame that will support the weight of your grow bed.

• Sump Tank – Optional. Using a sump tank will depend on the design of your system.

• Plumbing Pipes and Fittings – It depends on the type of your grow beds, system, and other factors

• Bell Siphon-Optional. A bell siphon is required for a flood and drain media bed.

• Water pump – The water pump’s size depends on your desired tank exchange rate.

• Aerator/ Air pumps  and Air Diffusers– These are used in the fish tanks and media beds and some filtration tanks to provide oxygen.

• Grow Lights – Optional. This is mainly used in indoor systems.

• Heater – Optional. Using a water heater will depend on your location, fish species, and target water temperature.

• Grow Media – You can use clay pebbles, expanded shale, gravel, and other inert media .

• Monitoring System – Optional. It depends on your situation and how you want to manage your system.

• Timers and Controllers – are mainly used for lighting, pumping, and controlling the temperature.

Supplies

• Water Quality Test Kit – A water test kit is essential for monitoring your water quality parameters.

• Cycling Kit – A source of nitrifying bacteria or ammonia required to cycle your system and prepare your system for the fish. This is optional as this is a natural process .

• Fish Food– You need a supply of fish food for your fish. Choose fish food that is organic and meets the nutritional requirements of the fish. You can also use alternative fish food for your system.

• Fish Care Products– Fishnet, thermometer, automatic feeder, etc

• Gardening Supplies – Supplies you will need in gardening like gloves, pruning shears, sprayer, etc.

• Seeds and Seed Starting Supplies – Net pots, germination trays, or seed starting kit you will need to get your plants off to a good start.