Aquacultural project
You’ve probably heard me sell the virtues of aquaponics, which combines fish and plants in a reticulated system. Benefits include low input, minimal water use (only 10 per cent of that used in conventional gardens), low maintenance and reduced fertiliser requirements, as most nutrients are fish waste converted into plant food by microbes and worms.
While aquaponics is a great concept, many people baulk at the maintenance (pumps, checking toxin levels etc) and cost (around $1500 for a modest system). But I have a solution for those on a low budget with limited time and skills who would like to give this thing a try.
The estimated cost of this system, if you buy everything, is $600 and it has minimal potential for breakdown. For power it uses a 40-watt solar panel. Yes, it runs on sun!
The secret to the reduced cost and increased effectiveness is minimal parts and slow movement of water through a
