What do I Need to Start an Aquaponic Garden?

There are a few different ways of setting up an indoor aquaponics garden.  Retailers sell entire aquaponic kits, you can buy pieces and parts from a hydroponics store to form your own kit, or you can make one entirely out of recycled materials such as 55 gallon drums (food grade ofcourse).  Buying an aquaponic kit can be pricey and making one can be a little more effort than some want to put into it, but don't let this stop you!  You can get most of the parts you need at your local hydroponics store and be well on your way to sustainability.

Parts Needed:

• A hydroponic flood tray/grow bed
• Hydroponic grow media such as hydroton and/or lava rock, ect...
• A flood and drain kit (ebb & flow)
• A drill and drill bit large enough for your flood and drain kit (you may have to hit the hardware store if you don't have the right size bit)
• A water pump and hose
• An air pump with air stone
• A light source (if grow bed is not in a sunny location you may need a grow light)
• A reservoir large enough flood your grow bed and still have enough water for your fish remaining (I use a large rubbermaid tote for my aquaponic reservoir)
• Fish and Seeds (fish can be purchased from a local pet store if you are not wanting to eat them)