Aquaponics System: Window Farming

Bisdak Bushman Window Farm

Pechay Plant

I was always fascinated by plants especially the edible ones. While I was googling through the net, found this unusual way of gardening even if you do not have a huge area to plant, it is still possible to plant a few plants. I live in a small apartment in the city so this one will do.

Aquaponics /ˈækwəˈpɒnɨks/, is a food production system that combines conventional aquaculture, (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish,crayfish or prawns in tanks), with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In normal aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity. In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to ahydroponic system where the by-products are broken down by nitrogen-fixing bacteria into nitrates and nitrites, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients. The water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system. - Wikipedia

Here is my project. The Window Farm. I am kind of new to this so, there might be mistakes or anything. Correct me if ever I got something wrong in what I have done. In my system, instead of a water pump, I used an aquarium aerator to lift the water up to the plants (airlift system).

Vertical Window Farm

Materials:

Sting/Cobra 250ml plastic bottle - 2x. I like the way the bottle looks and these ones are waiting to be thrown at my brothers room.
Makkoli 750ml plastic bottle - Some Korean rice wine bottle also waiting for a second life.
Several pet bottles - 2x. Used as filters etc.
2 Liter Old Orchard Bottle - I cut the bottom part and glued a ketchup nozzle at the top. This will be my water reservoir and a fish tank.
Aquarium Air Pump - Has a high/low feature. I can control the flow of air to the tubes.
Hose - Around 3 meters will do.
Several meters of cord / strong string.
Zip ties.
Recycled sponge for water filtration.
Pebbles bought at the nearest aquarium shop.

Fishes:

Tiger Barbs - 2x. One died because it was bullied by the bigger ones (tight space?... check)
Neon Tetras - 3x. Small ones.

Plants:

Tomato
Native Chili
Pechay
Romaine Lettuce

I am still germinating several seeds and they have developed some roots. I will be transferring them to the plant beds. I will also create another row for the tomatoes and the chili.

I will be posting the updates in my window farm in some future posts. But for now, this will be it.