Miracles don't happen often enough in our world. But when I decided to start growing my own fish and food in his garage, then you know that there's some divine intervention because I don't fish and I've got a brown thumb that makes all leafy things tremble. So how did I become Farmer Michael? One word: AQUAPONICS.

I became intrigued with aquaponic home farming when I realized that he might be able to cut my water consumption by up to 90% and could harness the excess power generated by my photovoltaic array that is pumping out over 100kwhrs each month MORE than I use. OK, and I realized I could make some money, to boot. I've  never denied being opportunistic when it comes to making money rather thanspending it.

Aquaponics is an old concept but it is using some mid-level technology in pumps and timers. The cool thing about aquaponics is that it recreates a natural biosystem without the need for any added
fertilizers, chemicals, or pesticides. And some experts have estimated that they require only 10% of the water normally needed for regular farming. Michael is carefully measuring his usage so that he can
verify aquaponic advocates' claims.
As in nature, the plants and fish sort of scratch each others' backs. The scientific term is "symbiotic". In short, the plants keep the water clean and, in turn, the fish feed the plants. Well, sort of. Actually, the waste from the fish tanks is treated with natural bacteria that converts the waste, largely ammonia, into nitrates that are used as essential nutrients by the plants. In turn, the plant roots serve to filter out this waste, so that the fish poop doesn't despoil the fish tanks. Everything stays clean and well fed.

The only regular farming activity needed is feeding the fish and that's handled by an automatic fish feeder that feeds them twice daily. Only a small amount of water is needed periodically to replace water that gets evaporated over time. And because I built the system in my garage, there is even less evaporation and no pesticides required because catapillars, worms, meal bugs and other creepy crawlies don't like my garage.

The entire system is powered by the electricity generated by my photovoltaic system. So the sunlight powers the pumps and lights that grow the plants and keep the closed system water circulating. And if that isn't cool enough, I can contract with companies who will buy the fish and vegetables that he grows, pay him for whatever he doesn't use personally, and then sell it as organic, locally-produced product. No trucks importing the food from other states. No oil-based fertilizers or pesticides. The only non-solar energy required is the effort to harvest the fish and plants. (which he's not all that happy about, but is sated by the money he'll be making).

While it sounds complicated, it really wasn't. I contracted with Grow Foods, a local installer of aquaponics systems. None of the equipment is patented so anyone can do it. For about $2000, they shipped and assembled the system.

They also provided the tilapia and shrimp that will grow in the tanks. As for the plants, I chose to grow assorted lettuces, basil, tomatoes, peppers and french green beans. The high-nitrogen fertilizer generated through fish waste promotes especially lush foliage. And the special full-spectrum grow lights give all of the light that the plants need to thrive, while giving bugs nothing to live upon. 

Aside from plants and fish, the other major component of aquaponics is the water itself. That said, carefully monitoring the water's pH, which determines acidity, is of the upmost importance to ensure safe levels for the fish. Water quality testing equipment is very important to ensure that both fish and plants remain healthy. Michael also has to keep an eye on dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and chlorine. Within the first two weeks, the beneficial bacteria stabilize and little additional maintenance is needed thereafter.

The progress and details of my new aquaponic miracle garden will be charted and provided.   Click here for a more detailed description of the experiment. And, if you like video,  Click here for a three minute video about the installation.

In the meantime,  here's lot of information about this installation that might help you decide whether and how to create your own aquaponics miracle. 

Vendor:   John Choisser
Grow Foods, Inc.
17005 Castello Circle
San Diego, CA 92127
jchoisser@growfoodsinc.com
www.growfoodsinc.com
858-414-1007

To see the specs for my project,  click on the 4 X 4 specs attachment below. 

To see the owners manual (8-pages),  click on the 4 X 4 manual attachment below.

If you've got an outdoor pool that is just too expensive to maintain and you are thinking of getting rid of it,  THINK AGAIN.  It could turn out to be the perfect aquaponics site.   Just fill with fish and place growing pans over it for the plants.  Your old pool can become a serious money-maker!