case history
Aquaponics combines hydroponics (cultivating plants without soil) and aquaculture (fish farming). The output is an artificial ecosystem in which there is nothing superfluous: fish waste are processed by bacteria and absorbed by plants, and the purified water is returned to the fish.
This method comes from South-East Asia, where flooded rice fields stocked with carp, loach, carp, snails and eels. Animals fertilized the water and struggled with pests and weeds, and at the same time serve as food for local people.
Like approach to farming different peoples of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. On the banks of shallow freshwater lakes were built chinampa - artificial islands. They fertilized lacustrine silt and permanent access to water provided a harvest even in the absence of rain. On chinampa grew corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, amaranth and chili. On each island was filmed on several harvests per year.
Modern akvaponicheskie system - a serious industrial installations of large sizes and different configurations. They are difficult to scale up to such an extent that they fit on a windowsill. Now we have "Akvaferma" - the perfect solution for the home or office.
Aquaponics in miniature
"Akvaferma" - a small aquarium with a tray of plants instead of the cap. The tank is made of transparent acrylic, its volume is 11 liters.
White polypropylene tray has five seats, a slot for the water pump and a special hatch for feeding fish. The water pump operates quietly, without distracting you from your work.
The kit includes two bags of stones. One is gravel for the bottom of the aquarium, and the second - porous pumice, a substrate for plants. The substrate is then put into a special small net pots, which are inserted into the cover. The holes in the pots allow the roots to sprout freely, so that the plants will not be crowded.
The modest size allows "Akvaferme" Perched on the windowsill, the kitchen table or even workplace. However, the outlet should be nearby, so you can connect the pump.
Who lives in ekoakvariume?
The set of "Akvafermy" fish is not included - it will have to purchase separately at a pet store. When you select must take into account the volume of the reservoir: even though he is a solid, but still designed for one tenant.
It is best suitable Betta fish, or Siamese Cockerel. Bettas have a bright color, elegant look and do not miss alone.
The pan is best to plant green plants like basil, cilantro, watercress, alfalfa, mint, arugula and parsley. If the room with "Akvafermoy" lives a cat, then there is at least one pot to plant the seeds of oat or wheat grass, to please the animal fresh and juicy grass. The developers have taken care of gardeners: the set includes the seeds of wheat, green buckwheat, flax and lentils.
Tricks process
Compared with traditional aquarium, and home vegetable garden "Akvaferma"Requires minimal effort to install and maintain.
As for any other tank, the water will need to settle for a couple of days. Can not wait, and treat the water from the air conditioning set and run "Akvafermu" immediately. Before releasing the fish, it should be allowed to get used to the chemical composition and temperature of the tank environment. It's enough to pour a little water into a temporary container with the pet.
Illumination can be the most difficult issue when choosing a place for the "Akvafermy". Plants need sunlight, but warmed the water with plenty of nutrients will certainly bloom. Under normal conditions, plant roots will absorb the nutrients and clean the tank, but with the invasion of algae, they are unlikely to cope.
As with any other aquarium vyruchat cochlea or the optional air pump. In addition, the wall of the tank should be cleaned every 1-2 months.
Grown plants do not need watering, but the seeds and sprouts that still do not have long roots, it is necessary to sprinkle a little water. Growth occurs quickly and rapidly, so that for a long time do not have to be watered.
For better health, some fish owners' Akvaferm "Council regularly pour into the aquarium clean water - about a quarter of the total. Developers insist that it would be redundant with the adult plants.
farm Frenzy
Enriched by the efforts of the fish water gives impressive results: the plants are pulled right before our eyes. Leaves are obtained juicy and healthy, especially with the right amount of light.
In five pots it grows a modest amount of edible greens. For a full salad is not enough, but it is enough to regularly add fragrant leaves to the main meal. Most importantly, they are always fresh - only from the garden.
The combination of an aquarium and a mini-garden appropriately all in the kitchen, but easily fit in the children's room. If you set "Akvafermu" in the office, Siamese Cockerel guaranteed to become a favorite of the whole team. Wherever she was, an unusual setting draws attention like a magnet, and it becomes a great topic for conversation.
You can purchase "Akvafermu" in the online store Madrobots.ru. Readers Layfhakera store gives a 20% discount on the promotional code AQUALIFE until 30 June 2017.
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