Why Aeration is Essential to a Healthy Aquaponics System

"Quality air pumps are an irreplaceable component of aquaponic systems, and many systems have been saved from catastrophic collapse because of an abundance of DO." ~Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

What is aquaponics?

Aquaponics combines aquaculture (raising fish in tanks) and hydroponics (growing vegetables/ plants in water with a soil-less media).

This balanced, self-contained, and natural process mimics the ecosystems of rivers, lakes, ponds, and waterways on the planet yielding 100% organic fish and vegetables.

How does it work?

The three living components that drive the closed loop system are fish, beneficial bacteria, and plants - the only outside input is fish food. Fish naturally excrete urine and feces into the tank, and their waste is high in ammonium and can become highly toxic.  

Therefore, the water in the tank is pumped to a biofilter, which is loaded with beneficial bacteria. The beneficial bacteria – which are fed by oxygen from an air pump – breaks down the ammonia into nitrates. The water is then pumped to soil-less media bed (hydroponics) where the nitrates act as a fertilizer to the plants. The plants remove the nitrates from the water (purifying it), and the clean water then returns to the fish tank to complete the loop.

Simply put, without proper dissolved oxygen levels, aquaponics would fail.  Fish require oxygen to survive, grow, and multiply.  Beneficial (Aerobic) bacteria need oxygen to live and multiply in the biofilter.  Without the bacteria, the fish wouldn’t absorb the fertilizer needed to grow.  Therefore, a reliable air pump is essential and a quality diffuser is important.  

Professionals recommend a “fine bubble” diffuser which creates more bubbles and thus more surface area on the bubbles for oxygen to transfer into the water. It’s imperative to check the diffusers regularly, so they don’t clog.    

Read the full article on our website to learn more!

HIBLOW Linear Diaphragm Air Pump Advantage

Many professionals believe that a linear diaphragm air pump is the best technology for aquaponics because the design is built for 24/7, 365-day use.  The pumps are energy efficient, running on less electricity than an incandescent light bulb.  They’re also quiet – producing a noise level far less than a normal conversation.  A HIBLOW linear diaphragm air pump handles higher pressures so users can manifold 2+ airlines to aerate the fish tank and biofilter. Finally, the pumps can be easily rebuilt 2 times for an overall life of 12+ years in many cases.