Hope this day finds you well.  I have been running my desktop aquaponics system for 2 weeks now and I wanted to share with you how to set up an small aquaponic system.

For my mini-ponics system I used:

3 gallon aquarium

Standard aquarium power filter (doesn’t need an air pump)

Styrofoam (the kind they use for takeout trays)

Net pots from a hydroponic or pond supply house

Old panty hose

Vermiculite

Seamagic seaweed emulsion

Aquarium test kit

Tools used:

razor knife, pencil, circle template

I trimmed the foam to fit the top of my aquarium, then I cut out the area for the filter to sit. Check this carefully: I forgot to check this and had to trim two holes I thought I could use once I put the filter in place.

Then I measured the pot my circle template and used my pencil to trace the correct size circle onto my foam lid.  You want the circle to be slightly smaller than the top of your pots.  Cut out the foam with your razor knife. 

The holes in my net pots were too large for my vermiculite, so I used panty hose.  Tie a knot in the end and pull the knot through the bottom of the pot.  This creates a wick while holding all the vermiculite in place.

Next, place the filter, then place the foam lid on top.  Fill the pots and place those in the holes in the lid, fill the aquarium with water, plug in the filter (don’t forget to add water inside the filter to help start the siphon) and place your seedlings in the pots…voila…now we feed and wait for the bacteria:

Carefully add a small amount of pure ammonia and a nice dose of seaweed emulsion (for the plants). The picture above shows my system after two weeks.

Next time we talk about aquaponics, I’ll walk you through the nitrogen cycle, the next step in setting up an aquaponic system.  For the next 6-8 weeks, we test the ammonia levels with our test kit, daily.  We also test for nitrites.  Once nitreates start to appear in our tests, we will also test for nitrates.  Add the seaweed emulsion every other day using half a capful or so to keep the plants going until the nitrogen cycle is complete.  If your ammonia levels fall, you will want to carefully add a bit more of that too until the nitrites appear. 

Things to do in your garden this week:  Prune roses, fertlize winter blooming bulbs, start harvesting asparagus and start your summer seedlings indoors and check out the latest Carolina Gardener magazine for my article on growing Salad in the South!

Also, I plan to teach a gardening class at My Favorite Things shop in Irmo this spring.  I'm giving away a free pack of zinnia seeds (one of my favorites) for the best idea for that class.   Post a comment here or on my facebook page: Sharon Self Johnson this week.