Sneak Peek
Aquaponics - Learn the science of balancing plant and animal life in the same system and grow your own food
Course Code: SGH15
Course Duration: 20 hours (minimum, self paced study, commonly 2 to 8 weeks, less or longer as you need)
Growing fish and plants together in the same system requires balance, the right knowledge, and understanding how to solve problems when you need to. When you have the appropriate equipment and awareness, you can grow an abundance of edible plants and fish. Aquaponics is one more step to becoming self-sufficient.
Inside this course, you will learn about plants and fish that will grow well in an aquaponics system and how to make the most of them. You will gain a good understanding of how the aquaponics system works and the equipment that you will need. Knowing which fish, and even the crustaceans, will thrive in your system is something that we also cover in this course.
The beauty of aquaponics is that you can have a small backyard set-up and grow fish and plant produce to feed your family, or you can go large and turn it into a viable enterprise. Systems which are set up under cover can enable you to grow fish that might otherwise not survive throughout the year depending on outdoor temperature fluctuations.
A simple system can be made including some recycled components too, and once set up there are only minimal inputs so it can be very sustainable. With the cost of food becoming more expensive, there has never been a better time to produce it yourself.
This course will be a great way to start learning how to create your own aquaponics system. When you have finished, the course notes can be used for a reference for any troubleshooting you may need to do, or even a reference for your further studies.
What's INSIDE the course?
Course Content:
This course spans five lessons. At the end of each lesson, there is an online self-assessment test. When you have completed all 5 lessons, you will be presented with a longer test, covering all of the course content. When you successfully complete this test, you can download your Certificate of Completion.
Lesson 1 SCOPE AND NATURE OF AQUAPONICS
- What grows well in aquaponics?
- Home systems
- Commercial farms
- Advantages of aquaponics
- Aquaponics is about balance
- Lesson 1 additional reading
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 2 THE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
- What media is best for your grow beds?
- What else do you need to consider?
- Lesson 2 additional reading
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 3 GROWING FISH IN AQUAPONICS
- Key facts for growing fish in aquaponics
- Feeding fish
- How many fish?
- Monitoring fish
- Common problems and their symptoms
- Lesson 3 additional reading
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 4 FISH SUITED TO AQUAPONICS
- Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus)
- Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua)
- Jade Perch (Scortum barcoo)
- Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii)
- Barramundi (Lates calcrifera)
- Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Carp
- Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
- Catfish
- Eel Tailed Catfish (Tandanus tandanus)
- Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
- Silver Cobbler (Neoarius midgleyi)
- Lake Argyle Catfish (syn. Arius midgleyi)
- Eels (Anguilla)
- Tilapia
- Freshwater Crayfish
- Marron (Cherax tenuimanus)
- Red Claw (Cherax quadricarinatus)
- Yabbies (Charax destructor)
- Lesson 4 additional reading
- Review what you have been learning
Lesson 5 GROWING PLANTS IN AQUAPONICS
- What system?
- Planting guide
- Planting
- Herbs
- Some herbs to grow hydroponically
- Basil (Sweet) Ocimum basilicum
- Mint (Mentha spp.)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- Vegetables
- Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae - Capitata Group)
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
- Pak-choi and Bok-choy (Brassica rapa - Pekinensis Group)
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
- Water Chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis)
- Iris species (Iris spp.)
- Nutrients and deficiencies
- Mobile and Immobile Nutrients
- Plant Nutrition
- Nutrient Deficiency
- Control of water quality
- Measuring pH and EC
- EC Meters and EC Controllers
- pH Controller
- Plant pest and disease problems in aquaponics
- Pests
- Diseases
- Damping-off disease
- Grey mould
- Powdery mildew
- Wilt
Who This Course is For
Horticulturists, gardeners, market gardeners, permaculture practitioners, and others who currently work with plants who wish to try their hand at something different.
Entrepreneurs who want to produce crops and fish and run a sustainable business.
People who may wish to transition from a current job or profession into something greener.
Home gardeners who wish to become more self-sufficient.
Thinking of Enrolling? Get in Touch
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We want to help you choose the right course whether it is for personal interest, upskilling, professional development, a new career, or a career change.
Contact us and let us guide you on your learning pathway.
Email us at admin@acs.edu.au | Call us on (07) 5562 1088