Using aquaponics for cannabis growing is not an uncommon method, however, while not as popular as more standard hydroponic methods it is becoming increasingly favored. Lety’s look at why this is.
Do you want to take your cannabis growing to the next level? Perhaps you’d want to make it more automatic, organic, or create a system looking cooler than anything you’ve ever seen? Let us introduce you to aquaponics. Many farmers avoid organic growing since the yields are lower than using hydroponic techniques. Conversely, aquaponic allows you to cultivate organic cannabis with outstanding results comparable to hydroponics. Organic cannabis is grown with relatively low resources. How? This post will show you how to cultivate cannabis using aquaponics. Here’s a straightforward approach to growing the greatest organic cannabis available.
History of aquaponics
Although aquaponics appears to be a fresh concept, it is one of the oldest. Aquaponics was utilized by the Aztec Indians as early as 1150 AD. They used reeds and grass to build little artificial islands in lakes. These “beds” or islands would house plants with their roots hanging in the water. Then, instead of fertilizing the plants, they let the lake’s natural ecology nourish the plants. In other words, the plants flourished on fish waste, while the Aztecs produced a variety of crops. Aquaponics has now extended to many other nations and is quite popular in locations with bodies of water. You now put up a similar setup at home to cultivate cannabis. Aquaponics is your rescue if you’ve avoided organic gardening due to its reputation for producing lower yields than hydroponics.
Understanding aquaponics
Water circulates in virtually all aquaponics systems between the area where plants are cultivated and a separate section where fish are maintained. There are several setups available to do this. Some configurations place the plants immediately above the fish. In contrast, others split the two systems in different rooms but connect them through an intake pipe and a return pipe, ensuring water continually cycles between the plant roots and the fish tank.
Any crop grown hydroponically is also able to grow aquaponically. However, the fish breeds available are rather limited to those grown in such close quarters in water suitable for hydroponic plant cultivation. Most of the time, one of three fish species is chosen: tilapia, perch, or trout. Those with larger tanks attempt catfish, while those who do not want to consume the fish produce goldfish in an aquaponic setup.
Benefits of aquaponics cultivation
Aquaponic systems are popular among farmers since they provide several advantages. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Organic and natural in every way
Since it does not use any pesticides or fertilizers, the aquaponics cannabis system is entirely natural. Furthermore, it keeps your fish healthy and happy! Moreover, it is conceivable to manufacture both cannabis and fish utilizing the same technology.
Simple to set up
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you install your aquaponics systems almost anyplace – outdoors, greenhouse, bedroom, basement — anything you desire.
Time-efficient
Aquaponics also takes far less labor and time than other techniques of cannabis growth. But remember to feed your fish on time!
Possession of bragging rights
Many individuals have indoor cannabis plants or grow cannabis indoors, but how many of your friends have an automated, autonomous system with an aquarium underneath? Aquaponics is a unique and excellent method of growing cannabis.
It consumes less water
Aquaponics saves up to 90% of water since it is entirely self-sufficient and continually filters and reuses the water. Consequently, you need to replenish the water lost due to evaporation.
Limitations of aquaponic cannabis production
- Initial expenses: Setting up an aquaponic system is more expensive than setting up soil or a hydroponic system.
- Maintenance: Because fish require water in a precise temperature range, you’ll need additional equipment and money to warm or cool the water and more effort to maintain it.
- Algae: Because there is a lot of moisture in the system, you must be on high alert for algae growth, harming your plants. To protect plants from algae, aquaponic systems must be cleaned and sterilized.
- Difficult for novices: Aquaponics is not for everyone despite its many advantages. Aquaponics is not advocated for beginner cannabis cultivators since they need to understand hydroponics and fish growing fundamentals. You must also determine the best fish-to-plant ratio, which is not straightforward. Thus, you have to do some experimenting.
Common difficulties encountered while producing cannabis in aquaponics
Growing cannabis in a hydroponic cannabis system is complicated enough, but growing it in an aquatic system is even more difficult. Growing using aquaponics is not suggested for inexperienced gardeners. Aquaponics is hard since you have two focuses: plants and fish, rather than cannabis plants. Using water as your grow medium, like growing in hydroponics, is difficult and often requires more equipment, time, and money. Moreover, the ability to balance the fertilizer from the fish getting into your plants is difficult for aquaponics. If you’re producing using aquaponics, be sure you understand nutrients for cannabis and pH levels and how to balance them.
How does aquaponics cannabis work
Aquaponic systems are similar to hydroponic systems in many ways, but the source of nutrients for plants is different—nutrients originate from fish excrement. Plant roots collect nutrients and then clean the water before returning nutrients to the tank. The only input required is fish food, which is farmed or purchased. Nitrogen is the principal nutrient generated by fish excrement, with trace levels of other elements. As a result, simple aquaponic systems are excellent for vegetative development but require extra nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium for blooming. A double-root zone also helps with this.
A double-root zone divides roots into two sections: the bottom half of the pot is immersed in water, while the upper half is filled with soil. This enables the application of extra nutrients to the roots without polluting the water. Burlap is used to divide the two parts, allowing roots to pass through but preventing dirt from reaching the water. Avoid oversaturating the soil with extra fertilizers to keep the water below in the aquaponics setup clean.
Aquaponics vs. hydroponics for cannabis
Aquaponics is a method of producing cannabis by incorporating fish into the water chamber. This eliminates the need for liquid fertilizers in plants and instead relies on fish excrement, a more natural supply of nutrients. The growing of fish in addition to cannabis is another significant distinction.
Aquaponic cannabis cultivation is a fantastic approach to boost production entirely organically. You will still need to conduct some trial and error at first, but don’t lose up.
If you like the sound of cannabis aquaponics you should also look into aeroponic cannabis growing and bubbleponics.