Different types of Aquaponics

Some of the descriptions and images come from The Aquaponic Store

NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) - A method of growing plants in which a thin and even film of  aerated nutrient solution flows down a channel into which the roots of the crop are suspended. It is very important to filter the water well before sending it to an NFT trough since fish waste in the trough and on the plant roots will negatively impact the plant's growth.  NFT aquaponics requires separate solids and bio-filtration.  While the reduced amount of water needed to fill the system may seem like a benefit, it can mean greater temperature and water quality fluctuations in a short period of time.

DWC (Deep Water Culture) - DWC is often referred to as Raft where the plants grow suspended over a tank of water in which nutrient rich water flows with supplemental aeration.  In most situations filtration needs to occur before fish water is sent to the raft area of the system.

CHIFT PIST (Constant Height In Fish Tank Pump In Sump Tank) -  Maintaining a constant volume/height in the fish tank with a sump tank at the lowest point and a fish tank at a higher point.  The pump lifts water from the sump tank to the fish tank and water flows from the fish tank to the grow beds which drain back to the sump tank.

CHOP (Constant Height One Pump) - Basically the same thing as CHIFT PIST.  With CHIFT PIST there has not normally been a distinction between the variation where the fish tank drains back to the sump directly and the pump pumps to the grow beds and they might drain to the sump or the fish tank.  With CHOP it was normally assumed that the fish tank got the water from the pump and drained to grow beds which drained to the sump.
CHOP2 - The variation of CHIFT PIST where both the fish tank and grow beds drained to the sump and the sump pumped to both the growbeds and fish tank
Flood and Drain- The plant growing space is allowed to flood and then drain either by the use of a pump on a timer to fill the bed and then allow it to drain while the pump is off or by the use of a siphon or other intermittent outflow device where the bed is constantly filling and then the siphon will drain the bed quickly.
Advantages: providing ample oxygen to plant roots and bio filter bacteria without the need of extra aeration.  Many plants like some dry time especially if the water is not super aerated.
Disadvantages: Water level needs to fluctuate in the system to provide the water for flood and drain.  Flood and drain offers more media to air than media to water interface which can have an exaggerated heat exchange effect on water temperatures.

Ebb and Flow - The same as Flood and Drain except you are usually pumping up through the bottom of the grow bed and then when the pump turns off, you are draining back down through the pump.

What is Aquaponics

So this being my first post of Our Aquaponics Blog I figured I should make a post on What exactly is Aquaponics?

This question could have such a long answer but we will try to keep it simple.

If you are wondering what Aquaponics is all about, then you should know that it is a new farming trend that brings together a symbiotic relationship between the fish and plants. This method utilizes the waste materials of the plants to be fed to the fish while at the same time the waste of the fish is used in fertilizing and supplying the nutrients that plants and vegetables need to thrive.

This system is being used more and more due to its simplicity and water efficiency.
The plants clean and filters the waste water from the fish keeping the harmful bacteria out of the fish tank.

When thinking about Aquaponics

Think about this system as a single unit and not separate ones. In order for it to function, the water coming from the fish tank is being pumped to the grow beds. In this cycle, the water coming from the fish is being used and is being fed to the Vegetables and plants. The fish water is being filtered by grow medium or by the river stones and it is being siphoned back into the fish tank. Therefore, the water is clean once again and is now ready to be used again by the fish. The cycle of this system will just continually go on giving mutual benefits to both the fish and the plants.
This farming technique is usually made up of a tank with various fish of your choice with existing grow beds used specifically for vegetable farming or ornamental plants. This new farming technique is really amazing because once the cycle starts, the water in the tank remains clean and clear and stays ph balanced all throughout. The water is being recycled and only very minimal amount is being added in order to replace the water that evaporated and was used by the vegetables.

 
We could go on about Nitrates and Nitrites,

But were just after the simple facts right now.  There are so many different options to list you will just have to keep up with my blog to see them as we explore and learn what Aquaponics is about. Along the way I will build and show what my system looks like and all the problems that I may have occurred so that you don't have to!