Keralaponics; an Organic farming Knowledge Hub

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The mission of Keralaponics is to enhance the organic food production in India. Keralaponics in Thiruvananthapuram is dedicated to promote various urban farming techniques like Terrace gardening, Bottle gardening, Vertical gardening, Backyard aquaponics, Organic hydroponics, Production of sprouted plants likes micro greens, fodder and more. Keralaponics is also encourages the production and marketing of value added products from organic vegetables, fruits and herbs.

NFT Aquaponics system

Aquaponics an overview

 

Aquaponics is an agricultural practice which combines hydroponics and aquaculture. Fish and vegetables are growing together in an aquaponics system. We could harvest fresh vegetables on the account of fish culture is the major benefit from aquaponics. Aquaponics enable us to enhance the organic food production considerably with less investment. There are mainly three methods of aquaponics systems are in use; they are Media bed, Raft bed or Deep water culture and Nutrient film technique based.

NFT Aquaponics system

 

In a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Aquaponics system, the nutrient rich fish tank water is pumped to channels or pipes where plants are placed in small plastic pots. The pumped water circulated through the roots of the plants which absorbs the dissolved nutrients. Plant roots are exposed to adequate supply of water, oxygen and nutrients in an NFT Aquaponics system. Mainly leafy vegetables are cultivated in this system. The larger plants are not suitable for growing in NFT system because their root systems are too big and invasive or they become too heavy for the lightweight growing channels.

Simple NFT Aquaponics system @ Keralaponics

 

Keralaponics is dedicated to develop and promote affordable systems in Aquaponics and Urban/apartment gardening. The system shown in the photo is a demo cost effective NFT aquaponics system @ Keralaponics.

A ground tank with size 1mx1mx1m is used as the fish tank, and a 4” PVC pipe frame with holes for inserting 4” diameter plastic pots as grow bed. For the pumping purpose, a 15w aquarium power head is used. Various beans and spinach varieties are planted in pots using 3/4”crushed rubble, tiles pieces and coconut pieces as potting mixture.

Cost of this system could be cut down considerably by using 2L cola bottles instead of 4” PVC pipe and plastic pots.

Start aquaponics gardening today; it is the real way to progress.

 

Visit Keralaponics or contact us on 09387735697 for more information on apartment gardening, Aquaponics, Hydropnics, Bottle gardening, Self watering planters and for purchasing plants and accessories.

Media bed Aquaponics

Keralaponics introduces media bed aquaponics system today. Media bed is the simplest aquaponics system and suitable for almost all the aquaponics crops. Two types of media bed aquaponics systems are in use; one of them is continuous flow system and the other is flood and drain system. In continuous flow system, the fish tank water flows through the grow bed continuously. While in flood and drain or ebb and flow system, water fills and drains in the grow bed continuously with the help of an auto siphon or a timer.

Aquaponics an overview

Aquaponics is an agricultural practice which combines hydroponics and aquaculture. Fishes and vegetables are growing together in an aquaponics system. We could harvest fresh vegetables on the account of fish culture is the major benefit from aquaponics. Aquaponics enable us to enhance the organic food production considerably with less investment. There are mainly three methods of aquaponics systems are in use; they are Media bed, Raft bed or Deep water culture and Nutrient film technique based.

Simple Media based Aquaponics system

 

A simple media bed aquaponics system contains a raised grow bed, a fish tank and a pump. A tray of suitable size filled with medium like ¾” crushed rubbles, crushed tiles, gravel or coir could be used as a grow bed. A container of glass, metal or food safe plastic with a minimum 50 liters capacity could be used as the fish tank.15w aquarium pump or power head is sufficient for pumping the fish tank water to the grow bed. 

System setting and functions

In the system describes here, used a plastic tray of size 24” length; 15” width and 10” height for grow bed and a 70 liters plastic tub as the fish tank. An Indian plum fruit plant and Madura spinaches are planted in the grow bed. Fitted an auto siphon in the middle of tray for making the grow bed function as flood and drain system. Tilapia fishes are filled in the fish tank.

On starting the pump, the water from the fish tank flows to the grow bed. When filling the grow bed, the water drained to the fish tank through the auto siphon system and repeat the process continuously. The nitrate and other nutrients in the fish tank water are absorbed by the plants and the water gets filtered. Fishes and plants are growing happily with this system.

Start aquaponics gardening today; it is the real way to progress.

Visit Keralaponics or contact us on 09387735697 for more information on gardening, Aquaponics, Hydropnics, Bottle gardening, Self watering planters and for purchasing plants and accessories.