Allan Baker, a dedicated gardener/aquaponics/hydroponics enthusiast, enjoys the symbiotic relationship between his thriving tilapia and his flourishing vegetable garden. Raising 100 tilapia at a time provides him with a consistent supply of fresh fish for dinner, and the fish, in turn, contribute to a nutrient-rich fertilizer for his plants. But maintaining a healthy aquaponic system requires efficient filtration, and Allan is searching for a more sustainable and economical solution than traditional methods. 

 

Aquaponics Can be Difficult to Get Right

A healthy aquaponic system hinges on maintaining clean water for the fish. Fish waste produces ammonia, which is converted by beneficial bacteria into nitrites and then nitrates, forms of nitrogen that plants can use. However, high levels of ammonia and nitrites can be toxic to fish. Effective filtration is essential to remove these harmful substances and keep the water clean and oxygenated. Allan is using hydroponic clay pebbles, they are expensive and need to be cleaned every so often. 

 

Biochar: A Natural Filter Solution

Biochar's porous structure makes it an excellent filter media, providing a large surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and efficiently convert ammonia into plant-available nitrates. Even better, Allan can produce biochar himself, using lumber scraps, pruned branches, and other yard waste, transforming garden debris into a valuable resource for his aquaponic system.

 

Supported by research

The use of biochar in an aquaphonics system is supported by a research study published in *The Scientific World Journal* (See citation and hyperlink at the bottom of the page). This study explored the use of rice husk biochar for water treatment in a fish aquaculture system combined with a hydroponic planting system.  The promising results suggest that biochar could be a valuable addition to Allan's aquaponic setup.

The results showed that the aquaponic system with biochar had improved water quality compared to the other setups. The biochar helped reduce total solids, suspended solids, nitrite, and orthophosphate levels in the water, while increasing dissolved oxygen – all vital factors for healthy fish.  Furthermore, both the tilapia and the morning glory in the biochar-supplemented system grew better than those in the other systems.

The study demonstrates biochar's effectiveness as a filter media and its potential to improve overall aquaponic system performance.  While Allan's system uses different plants, the success of biochar in this research suggests it's certainly worth a try in his own aquaponic setup. The biochar's ability to create a healthier environment for the fish and boost plant growth aligns perfectly with Allan’s goals of a thriving, integrated system.

 

DIY Biochar

Creating biochar at home is surprisingly simple with the biochar fire pit. Allan utilizes the scraps from his woodworking projects and the trimmings from his fruit trees and berry vines, effectively turning waste into a valuable asset for his aquaponics setup and garden.

 

Biochar's Aquaponic Advantages:

Biochar provides an ideal habitat for beneficial bacteria crucial for converting fish waste into plant nutrients. Furthermore, biochar acts as a natural filter, removing impurities and promoting healthy water conditions for the fish. Unlike clay pebbles, which can become clogged and require cleaning, biochar can easily be replaced with a fresh batch made from readily available materials.

 

From Aquaponics to the raised beds: A Closed-Loop System

After the biochar has served its purpose in the aquaponic system, and is perhaps like the expanded clay media getting clogged over time, its journey doesn’t end there. The nutrient-rich, microbe-laden biochar can be transferred to Allan's raised garden beds, further enriching the soil and benefiting Allan’s garden. 

 

Well worth experimenting

Allan switching to biochar instead of expanded hydroponic clay media could be a win-win. It could save him money on filter media, provide a healthy environment for his tilapia, and enhance the productivity of his garden. By recycling yard waste and reducing his reliance on commercially produced clay media this change could benefit the environment. Since Aquaphonics is a sensitive balance Allan plans to proceed with caution and experiment with a small section of his aquaponics bed at a time.

 

Have any of you used biochar in an Aquaphonics system? Comment below!

 

Check out a video of Allan describing his plans.

Make Your Own Biochar!

Did you know you can make biochar while enjoying a backyard fire pit? Here at Pi Fabricators, we're passionate about helping gardeners create amazing biochar enriched soil. That's why we created an innovative and stylish biochar fire pit. Enjoy relaxing evenings by the fire, and harvest biochar to enrich your garden! Who knew backyard fire pits could be so productive?

Click here to learn more about the Biochar Fire Pit.

Works Cited:

Mopoung S, Udeye V, Viruhpintu S, Yimtragool N, Unhong V. Water Treatment for Fish Aquaculture System by Biochar-Supplemented Planting Panel System. ScientificWorldJournal. 2020 Aug 28;2020:7901362. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7901362

About the author

Hi, I'm Daniel Bechtoldt, a mechanical engineer. I'm passionate about using biochar to improve soil health and sequester carbon dioxide. When I'm not spending time with my family or finding solace in nature, I'm developing innovative biochar and tool storage solutions for people like you.