One of the biggest decisions you’re first thrown into when starting a new aquaponics based garden is whether or not you should purchase a kit. Kits come with premade tanks, grow beds, tubing and basically everything else you need to get started. Unfortunately, for newcomers, this isn’t always the best route. These kits are expensive, bulky and sometimes way too much for certain gardeners. If you’re planning to grow as a commercial business, this is a viable option. Home gardeners, however, should steer clear. Here’s why..
Disadvantages of Premade Kits
To start off with let’s talk about everything that kits DO come with. Most premade aquaponic kits include the following materials to help you get started off with your new garden:
- Grow Beds
- Fish Tank
- Pump
- Aerator
- Pipes / Tubing
- Fish Food
Now from a buyers’ perspective that seems like you’re getting just about everything all bundled in one convienient package, right? Well, that’s not exactly the case. You have to keep in mind that kits can run from $1,000 to $5,000 or more EACH. And most of the materials you need can either be constructed cheaply from materials like wood or PVC, or can be purchased cheaper by buying “makeshift” grow beds and tanks.
But that’s not the only reason kits aren’t ideal for home gardeners. What about actually putting the entire system together? Kits come with assembly instructions that are typically confusing and often call for additional materials such as flat pieces of wood or even concrete blocks to be used. Don’t believe us? Here’s a perfect example of a kit that requires ADDITIONAL materials and assembly despite being a “bundle” package.
Notice the price? Nearly $2,000.00. And you still have to put it together yourself and get your hands on even more supplies that the kit requires but doesn’t include. That’s more work to do and more money out of YOUR pocket just to get started. Annoying, right? There’s no reason for it. And this is exactly the point we’re trying to make. If you are just a hobby gardener or are wanting just a small garden for outdoor or indoor growing… build your own. It’s much cheaper and makes for a fun project, too.
DIY Aquaponics Systems
Did you know that you can build your own aquaponic garden system? Well, you can. It’s actually very simple and very affordable. It requires only a short list of materials, a weekend at most to complete and is much more affordable than purchasing premade kits that run in the $1000s. It also makes for a fun DIY project and allows you to have the setup be designed to fit your specific needs, desires and space requirements at home.
For the best results you should follow a step by step instructional guide. Aquaponics 4 You is a perfect example. It provides a detailed text guide along with easy to follow video tutorials for every step of the way, full plans and material lists and even bonus tips for helping you maintain a healthy, tasty garden for years to come. Check it out.
