9 Benefits of Having an Aquaponics Pond In Your Backyard
Having a pond in your home adds to the visual aesthetics but having an aquaponics pond takes it to a whole new level. For years, people have opted only for small ponds with beautiful fish. But in recent years, aquaponics pond design has spread far and wide in many homes. You can’t blame people for opting for this, considering the incredible benefits of having one.
How Do You Build an Aquaponics Pond?
What is an aquaponics pond? This is a system wherein plants and aquatic animals coexist and are beneficial to each other. We all know that in growing a plant, you need soil, but not in all cases. It will interest you to know that you can grow plants without soil with aquaponics. The plant gets its nutrients from the pond water, and they thrive well with this. On the other hand, you can raise aquatic animals, including fish, in the pond. The choice of fish or other animals is dependent on you.
So how do you build an aquaponics pond in your home? If you already have a pond in your home, it will be easier to transform it into aquaponics. All you would have to do is a little rearranging and fixing to get what you want. And even if you don’t, you can still achieve this.
The first important factor to consider is space in your home. To have an aquaponics pond, you need enough space. You also have to consider the local climate in your place because this will determine the type of fish and plants you can opt for.
It is also critical to bear in mind the ratio of the fish to the plants. An aquaponics system helps create a balanced environment for the fish and plants to thrive. Ensure one is not way more than the other to avoid their death.
Once you’ve considered these factors, you also have to consider which system you would prefer. You can opt for a growing raft or a grow bed. The option you opt for will be dependent on the pond design you would like to have.
Can I Use A Koi Pond For Aquaponics?
A koi pond is an absolute favorite for many because of how pretty koi fish look and how easy it is to maintain. So the answer is yes! If you have a koi pond in your home, you can convert it to koi aquaponics. If you don’t, you can opt for koi as your fish of choice when making your aquaponics pond system.
One of the reasons it’s a good choice is because it’s easy to keep and manage. The koi fish is known to thrive well in a wide temperature range. It is said that it can thrive well between 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So you wouldn’t have to heat the water in the pond every day. This saves you stress and money.
The cost of feeding is lower. Koi are known to consume a wide range of things as food. They can feed on algae, plant matter, and koi feed. This way, you won’t spend too much on feeding.
Benefits Of Having An Aquaponics Pond In Your Backyard
● Healthy Plants
Growing the plants with water provides a lot of nutrients to the plants. The plants have access to oxygen and nutrients all the time, and thanks to this, they grow a lot faster. It is said that plants that grow this way grow three times faster than plants in the soil. You can expect the plants would be more flavorful when consumed due to the favorable growing conditions.
● Healthy Fish
It’s not just the plants that get to be healthy but also the fish. If you’ve always had a pond, you know how healthy homegrown fish are. They have access to healthy food and have enough day in and day out. Also, you’re in charge of what goes into the pond, thus making the pond safe for the fish. The healthy cohabitation between the plants and fish is another reason the fish are very healthy.
● Decreased Chemical Use
One of the problems with growing plants is exposure to pests. Many farmers opt for pesticides and other chemicals to ensure the pests don’t destroy the plants. The sad truth is even though the plants thrive. They now carry some pesticides that can be harmful to the human body. By growing your plants in aquaponics, you can ascertain no exposure to such chemicals. This equals healthy living for you.
● Access to Food
You may not know it, but it feels good to have access to fresh food in your own home. You won’t have to rush into a supermarket every time to need some vegetables to cook. All you have to do is go to your aquaponics and cut some. You can as well pick up fish for your meal.
● Reduce Algae Growth
One of the problems pond owners encounter is continuous algae growth. Algae require nitrate to keep growing. So this means if the nitrate level is reduced, there will be reduced algae growth. With an aquaponics pond, the leafy vegetable plants can help reduce the nitrate by consuming it. The plants bloom, and algae decrease. It’s a win-win situation.
● Source of Income
It’s true that for many, this is just something by the side. Many opt for it because of how beautiful it makes the house look. It can be a big deal for you if you do things right. This can be a good source of income for you.
You can sell the fish and plants and make cool cash from it. A good tip is to opt for fish and plants in high demand. This way, you can quickly sell them to customers. The good thing is you won’t have to break the bank to set this up.
● Save Water
Another good thing about an aquaponic pond is that you won’t need as much water. You can save as much as 90% water by growing the plants compared with conventional planting. This is all thanks to the reuse of water. You don’t have to worry about paying a lot for the water bill.
● Reduced Pollution
You don’t get to enjoy all the benefits alone. Mother Earth gets to join in too. All thanks to the fact that you don’t use fertilizers and chemicals, this helps reduce pollution. The only thing that goes into the pond is fish food, which is not toxic to the environment.
● Smart Farming
There is a reduced risk of land erosion because there is no need for plowing or turning the soil. Furrowing and turning the soil is a lot of work. It can be very tiring and physically draining. You don’t have to do all of that with an aquaponics pond. It is life made easy while farming.
Conclusion
With the benefits that come with the aquaponic system, it’s no surprise that everyone is hopping on this trend. It’s easy to manage, and low capital investment is needed. While you benefit from this, the environment is also a partaker. What more can you ask? An aquaponics pond is indeed a total package.