Why do we need Aquaponics?  Wake up America!

We need Aquaponics because the way we have been growing food in the U.S. is unststainable for several reasons. In the U.S. our main food supply is controlled by large corporations whose interest is first and foremost to their stockholders. This is called factory farming. Whenever anything becomes a commodity it is about the bottom line, the money, the quality goes out and the sacrifice begins. It has happened in the U.S. gradually over many years and we have all succumbed to the Fast Food, Processed way of eating where food is picked before it is ripe, chemicalized, gassed, shipped, processed and much worse. If you have not seen the documentary Food Inc you can watch the trailer here. Another good documentary is Fresh the Movie. The sacrifice I was speaking of is not only in suffering of farm animals, but also our own consumption of nutrient poor over processed foods has left us obese yet undernourished, and disconnected from the very planet on which we live. Another reason we need Aquaponics is because our water is quickly becoming a commodity and is being traded on the open market as such. The eminent water shortage is outlined in the Blue Gold documentary.

"Aquaponics is just one of a number of solutions to these problems because it is a closed-loop water-reuse system. The yield per square foot of grow area is many times greater than with crops grown in soil, there are no weeds and very few pests, and it uses a relatively small footprint as compared to conventional farming in which crops need to be rotated because growing the same crops depletes the soil. It's a no brainer, a natural eco-system."  

We are trained in Commercial Aquaponics Systems Farming and Installations and we have blueprints and diagrams of commercial set-up options adaptable to your farm. We offer Commercial consultation and we can supply components. We have been trained by Friendly Aquaponics from Hawaii, who has many years of commercial experience and knowedge. We can provide consultation on the most cost effective method of setting-up your Aquaponics Farm. We want this to be win/win/win for not only for our company, but your farm, and your customers, so we offer ongoing support and troubleshooting information. Aquaponics applications vary by climate, as far as what works in terms of fish selection and vegetable/fruit selection may vary from region to region, but the basic principles of Aquaponics remain the same. We can also show you how to get your Organic Certification for your farm.

Shadecloth & Greenhousing

Depending on your location, it may be necessary for you to use Shadecloth, a knitted fabric available in various densities ranging from 12%-50%. The density you choose will depend on your grow zone/location and time of year. Our Growbeds have an optional PVC structure that can be used to attach a shadecloth. A shadecloth should not cover the entire length of the growbed to the ground but should all at least 2 feet for airflow and to minimize heat build-up. If you live in a very cold climate where pipes freeze, consider a complete greenhouse system that incorporates all components. 

Choosing A Shade Cloth Density

• 12% Density: This light-density shade cloth is preferred for sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. It provides some UV protection, but does not provide any wind reduction.
• 30% Density:This moderate-density cloth is recommended for leafy vegetables, seedlings, lettuce, spring onions, beans and cauliflower. It can also provide some protection from the wind.
• 40-50% Density: This highly dense shade cloth is used only for extremely sunny locations but is mainly used in very windy locations. Shade cloths higher than 50-percent density are not generally used in vegetable gardens.

 Greenhouse/Shadecloth for Grow Bed 

Many Aquaponics Growers choose some type of greenhousing to protect plants from the heat and cold and as a way of extending the growing season. You can use the same frame on our growbed that is used for a shadecloth to Greenhouse each indivicual Growbed by simply covering the frame with a greenhouse material and securing to the bottom of the frame or blocks. If you live in a very cold climate where pipes freeze, consider a complete greenhouse system that incorporates all components. We are located in Florida where we get a couple of freezes per winter so greenhousing each individual growbed is sufficient for us. Our DVD shows how to build a Greenhouse/Shadecloth structure for our grow beds.

 Greenhouse/Shadecloth for Aquaculture Tank

In addition to greenhousing your growbeds, attention needs to be given to the Aquaculture tank especially in extremely cold climates. We recommend for above ground tanks, wrapping the tank in an insulated wrap. This will help the fish in the summer as well from getting overheated and when the water is too warm the plants won't grow well. Our DVD shows how to build a Greenhouse/Shadecloth structure for our aquaculture tanks.