{"id":437,"date":"2021-09-06T13:23:31","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T13:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquaponicseasy.com\/?p=437"},"modified":"2022-03-04T21:09:20","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T21:09:20","slug":"barrel-aquaponics-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquaponicseasy.com\/barrel-aquaponics-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Barrel Aquaponics System – Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Barrel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aquaponics is a combined system of raising aquatic animals or creatures(aquaculture) and growing plants (hydroponics) without soil. The most used animals are fish. The fish are fed, and in turn, they supply the plants with nutrients from their excretion. The plants, on the other hand, clean the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barrel aquaponics is an aquaponics system built or set up around one or more barrels. They make good options for those that wish to grow organic produce but lack a big area or do not wish to spend too much money. They function and work like other aquaponics systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The barrel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Usually, a 55-gallon drum is used. Blue barrels are the recommended types for aquaponics as they are safe for fish and plants and yield little algae. Use a previous food-grade barrel and ensure to clean it thoroughly. The barrel is made into the fish tank, and the grow bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larger the barrel is, the more the amount of water it can hold. The more water in the fish tank, the larger the plant growing bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The size of the fish tank determines the number and size of fish that can be held. It is crucial to consider the fish tank\u2019s surface area. A short and wide fish tank works better than a deep and narrow one. This is because it has a higher water surface area to volume ratio. A greater surface area provides a greater uptake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"55-gallon
55-gallon drum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Grow medium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

the growing medium should be light to prevent collapsing of the system. One can use gravel, lava rock, or clay pebbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grow bed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is where the growth of the plants takes place. Place it on top of the tank and ensure it is larger than the tank\u2019s width. The space of the grow bed determines the size of your fish tank. A large grow bed means more plants, and this calls for more fish. A small grow bed will need a smaller fish tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested article: Aquaponic Grow Beds \u2013 Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Goldfish<\/a> is the most appropriate fish type to raise in a barrel. They can live up to forty years, require less space for growth and survival, and are not bothered by any decreased water temperatures, especially during winter. The water must be chlorine-free as chlorine can cause the goldfish to die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested article: Best Fish for Aquaponics & a Few Great Alternatives to Try<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A water pump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will need a small water pump to suction water to the plant\u2019s grow bed from the fish barrel. Due to gravity, the pump supplies water back to the fish tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested article: Aquaponics Water Pump \u2013 Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"aquaponic-water-pump\"
aquaponic water pump<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An air pump and tubing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The air pump will supply plants and animals with air. The air tube will join the pump to an air stone, usually at the bottom of the barrel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested article: Aquaponics Air Pump \u2013 Everything You Need to Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The air stone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It breaks a large stream of bubbles from the air pump into smaller bubbles increasing oxygenation in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A testing kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A water testing kit will be used<\/a> to monitor the water pH levels, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and any oxygen that may have possibly dissolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nitrifying bacteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nitrifying bacteria is required when building the system.<\/a> You can build up the bacteria by adding ammonia into the system. The bacteria convert ammonia excreted by the fish into nitrites. The nitrites are then converted into nitrates which the plants use for growth. The plants also take in and use vermicompost, the solid fish waste, as food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Designs for barrel aquaponics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Barrel aquaponics can have two different designs. The designs will vary depending on size, the required space, ease of construction and maintenance, the required accessories, cost, material, and the time available for construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Split Barrel Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n