Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
All of our resources are free. Please don't hesitate to share them with others!
Search
Is PVC safe for aquaponics?
If you’re speaking about using rigid PVC (uPVC) pipes in your aquaponics water system, that’s a good choice.
Read More
Do I need a biofilter for aquaponics?
A well designed aquaponics setup with a balanced fish:plant ratio that uses high quality fish food actually shouldn’t need a biofilter.
Read More
Do you need soil for aquaponics?
Hydroponics and so by extension aquaponics are, by definition, soil-less.
Read More
How do you build a greenhouse for aquaponics
Greenhouses can be constructed with a no-holds-barred approach to automation, or fully DIY with a shoestring budget.
Read More
Do you need a greenhouse for aquaponics?
Greenhouses are not strictly required for successful aquaponics, but they do offer some definite benefits
Read More
Aquaponics setup for beginners
Assuming that you’re starting small as a beginner, aquaponics can be a relatively easy venture to dip your toes into, without an enormous initial investment.
Read More
Does aquaponics require electricity?
Aquaponics do require some source of supplemental power to operate pumps, supplemental lighting, or other elements of an aquaponics system, but there are options.
Read More
Worst plants for aquaponics
It’s hard to find agreement on the best or worst choice for pretty much anything in this world, and the same goes for aquaponics, because the term “best” or “worst” depends on what matters most for you.
Read More
Can you grow house plants with aquaponics?
House plants can grow beautifully in an aquaponics system, quickly becoming the envy of all your friends.
Read More
Are fish farms aquaponics?
It’s fair to say that fish farms are predecessors to aquaponics, or even that aquaponics are types of fish farms, but ordinary fish farms are missing the critical systems and benefits that would qualify them as aquaponics.
Read More
Can you grow root vegetables with aquaponics
Yes, root vegetables do very well in aquaponics systems.
Read More
What is the best grow media for aquaponics?
An ideal grow media should be smooth and moderately lightweight, pH neutral, non-degradable, and offer plenty of surface area for bacterial colonization.
Read More
Do I need to change water in aquaponics
A well managed aquaponics system virtually never needs to have its water changed.
Read More
What problems does aquaponics solve?
To begin, aquaponics can help solve the problems of food production in areas where unpolluted water is scarce.
Read More
How many fish are needed for aquaponics?
The number of fish necessary in an aquaponics system depends on the size and species of fish and how many plants you’re planning on growing.
Read More
How much water does aquaponics use
In all, aquaponics systems use, on average, only about 10% of the water used when growing comparable crops in the soil.
Read More
Dow long do you need to wait before planting in aquaponics?
In a new aquaponics setup, the critical initial wait period is for the cycling process to complete.
Read More
Can you use snails in aquaponics?
In general, there are two schools of thought about using snails in aquaponics
Read More
Does aquaponics grow faster?
Both plants and fish grown in aquaponics enjoy optimal conditions, so generally you can assume a time-to-maturity rate that’s 25% to 50% faster.
Read More
What pH level will kill fish?
Different fish can tolerate a wide range of pH, depending on factors like the water temperature, hardness, and their own native environment.
Read More
Does aquaponics need sunlight?
Aquaponics can be successfully grown indoors, in a location with no natural light.
Read More
Can aquaponics be used with saltwater?
Saltwater aquaponics (sometimes called marine aquaponics) is a newer outgrowth of freshwater aquaponics
Read More
Is algae bad for aquaponics?
While a certain amount of algae is to be expected in an aquaponics system, particularly in the grow beds, too much can indicate that the system is out of balance and can cause problems with water chemistry, equipment, and more.
Read More