A revolutionary system to grow organic cannabis is gaining traction nowadays and it involves a fish tank. This blend of two efficient systems, specifically aquaculture and hydroponics, is called aquaponics. Sounds crazy, but this system makes it possible to farm healthy, organic marijuana and fish at the same time. In this article, we will explain how to grow cannabis in a fish tank and the benefits that come with it.
Aquaponic Systems: How Do They Work?
Aquaponics has been used with great success for a number of years. It is only, recently, however, that more and more people are showing interest in the method for marijuana cultivation. To put simply, aquaponics combines the essence of fish-farming and hydroponics. As mentioned, it is an easy way to grow and cultivate plants and fish at the same time.
Although cannabis, like many other plants, is most suitable for outdoor growing, they are also known to thrive favorably in an indoor setting. Contrary to what you might think, first-time and beginner cannabis growers will benefit from farming cannabis indoors since they can have better control of the growing environment. It also allows them to reap their harvests in a shorter amount of time as compared to outdoor cultivation. These same benefits apply to the aquaponic system.
A fish tank or a large aquarium serves as the growing environment in an aquaponic system. Along with the fishes, cannabis plants and good bacteria all subsist symbiotically making up a healthy and thriving aquaponics ecosystem. The fishes produce wastes that are converted by bacteria into the needed nutrients for the plants. That being said, there is no need to put additional supplements into your tank as fish waste produces enough nitrogen and several other trace nutrients. The roots of your cannabis plants absorb the nutrients and, at the same time, serve as a biological filter that purifies the water before it is released back into the tank, keeping the fish happy and healthy. The only input you will need to do is fish food to ensure that your fishes are well-fed and can excrete high volumes of nutrients. The entire cycle forms a natural symbiotic relationship that is very easy to grow and maintain.
Aquaponic Systems: How to Start Growing Cannabis with Aquaponics?
If you have an existing fish tank or aquarium in your house and have some experience with hydroponics setups, then you are already halfway there. Knowing how to grow cannabis in a fish tank is very similar to growing other vegetables and herbs in hydroponics.
Selecting the right fish species
Many commercial cannabis cultivators use the aquaponic method when farming fish and classic cannabis strains, such as the Lemon Kush and Master Kush. Tilapias, along with bluegill, trout, barramundi, and koi (carp) are the preferred fish species for this cultivation method. These fishes are resilient and can quickly adapt to wider ranges in pH and temperature than many other species. They are also fast-growing, making them very efficient at creating waste for bacteria to convert into plant nutrients.
Farmers also make use of other marine organisms, like mussels, prawns, crayfish, and shrimps, among others. Mussels, for example, are natural filter feeders that help keep the water tanks clean. They are also hardy and can grow well inside fish tanks. Choosing the right aquatic organisms for your tank is important as they all need to exist harmoniously in the ecosystem.
Installing a microbial community
As previously mentioned, a healthy and successful aquaponic setup needs to have an adequate amount of fishes, plants, and bacteria. Your bacterial or biofilter community is the core of any aquaponic system. Without them, fishes will die from the ammonia emanating from their own poo and plants will not be able to use the unprocessed waste from the fishes. Ultimately, without a biofilter component, your aquaponics setup is doomed to fail.
Two main groups of bacteria play a key role in determining the success of an aquaponic unit: the Autotrophic Ammonia Oxidising Bacteria (AOB) and Heterotrophic Bacteria. The AOB is used to convert fish waste, which enters the system as toxic ammonia, into nitrite. The same bacteria convert nitrite, through the process of nitrification, into fertilizer for the plants. It is important to note that only 50% to 70% of fish waste is converted into ammonia, which the AOB acts on. The second group of bacteria called the heterotrophic bacteria, metabolizes the remaining 30% to 50% of the fish waste that is converted into an organic mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The heterotrophic bacteria decompose all these solid portions into essential micronutrients for the cannabis plants.
These two groups of bacteria occupy different zones in a biofilter, and which species dominates which is very reliant on the compounds in the fish poo. If, for example, there are plenty of organic carbons available from the fish waste, the heterotrophic bacteria will grow over or out-compete the AOB. As the level of organic compounds declines, the AOB will then be able to better reach their food supply, which is the ammonia. To monitor the microbial function in your aquaponic, it is good to test for ammonia and nitrate in your fish tank. Both levels should be at 0 to 1 mg per liter in a functioning and healthy aquaponic setup.
Aquaponic Systems: What are the Advantages?
Sustainability
Organic farmers will gravitate naturally to aquaponics since it is a truly sustainable method for growing cannabis. The whole set up is independent of chemical fertilizers and toxins. Most of the plant nutrients can be derived from fish feed through fish excretion and biofilter nitrification. Because of this, the buds you get from this setup are of much better quality.
Faster Growth Rate
No other methods of cannabis cultivation can produce as many buds as aquaponics. And by using very few resources, at that. By simply allowing the roots to take in as many levels of oxygen, they are given access to more nutrients 24/7 and grow more buds quickly. Plants grown in this type of method are generally ready to harvest 10 days in advance.
Multiple Returns
This sustainable ecosystem allows cannabis growers to harvest THC-rich crops as well as raise fishes for personal consumption.
Knowing how to grow cannabis in a fish tank sounds pretty easy, especially if you have experience in hydroponics under your belt. It is a self-sustaining and eco-friendly setup that will delight even novice growers because of the benefits that come along with it – a fast and easy harvest of THC-rich buds grown with zero chemical fertilizers.
