Ten Key Takeaways from Bernstein’s Aquaponic Gardening That Prove Reading It Is a Must

A quick internet search for Aquaponic Gardening reveals an overwhelming consensus: Sylvia Bernstein’s Aquaponic Gardening is considered the Bible for new Aquaponic Gardeners. Bernstein’s experience in the field has quickly given her a reputation among gardeners as someone who can speak with authority on the most complex of topics. Not only is she the president and founder of the Aquaponic Source, but she is the co-founder and served as Vice Chairman of the Aquaponics Association. She also received a degree in Agricultural Economics and an MBA from the University of Chicago. For years, she was the Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for AeroGrow International, who created the AueroGarden. In fact, she was one of the original founders and played an essential role in the development of their plant technology. Naturally, she has an aquaponics farm of her own at her home in Boulder, CO. Because of her passion for the greater good, particularly regarding nutrition, she also currently serves as a Chef for Meals on Wheels of Boulder.

Once you read Bernstein’s book, you’ll quickly notice why it is considered the ultimate authority in the industry, particularly for beginners. Let’s take a look at 10 Key Takeaways from Aquaponic Gardening that prove reading it is a must for any beginner.

1. You won’t find any other book with such comprehensive information on the topic.

Bernstein begins with the basics by describing what Aquaponic Gardening is, so even those who have never heard of the grow method can still dive right in and learn. She goes on to describe the potential global impact a system like this could have (Hint: It’s revolutionary). She then immediately discusses how you can begin your aquaponics journey, covering everything from hardware needed, to system designs, grow beds, plumbing, plant and fish growth and more. She even has troubleshooting pages for resolving issues with pH levels, aggressive fish, high ammonia levels and more. It’s the closest thing to calling up an expert and getting the direct answers needed for a beginner.

1. Bernstein didn’t just stop at the book.

While Bernstein’s book is considered to be an ultimate authority for those beginning this journey, Bernstein does a wonderful job of keeping her audience informed. While the book is a must read and should come first, Bernstein has continued to supplement it through a number of outlets. Perhaps most notably, she did a question/answer session on Reddit, where she answered user’s questions individually. She also used the opportunity to share some personal tips based on her own experiences.

1. It’s the easiest reference for beginner’s to understand.

Because Aquaponics is relatively new, few people understand it at the level Bernstein does. Few other books describe in the detail she uses, and most of the books on the topic are quite confusing. For those just beginning, even a google search can seem overwhelming, as much of the information is not consistent. Its photographs, charts and troubleshooting areas are actually quite valuable and easily accessed. It’s clear that each page is clearly informational, with no useless filler.

1. The Hardware section, where specifics are first addressed, makes a difficult topic easy to understand.

Bernstein begins here by discussing the grow bed and the fish tank, and the requirements for both of them. This is an area where beginners would normally be making calculations for how many fish can be supported and the sizes of the plants, but Bernstein makes this bit of engineering seem simple. As the book states, “One of the first rules of thumb for a beginner aquaponics gardener is: The total volume of all the grow beds that you connect to a single fish tank should be at least equal to the volume of your fish tank, in order to provide adequate filtration from your tank.” She then goes on to use examples to make this concept even easier to understand. In addition, each “Rule of Thumb,” discovered throughout the book is also listed in the appendices, so there’s no need to search through chapters to find the information needed when you’re in the middle of a project. This brings us to our next point below.

1. The valuable appendices can be read on their own as a reliable and quick resource.

In most books, the appendices can be overlooked, and it is essentially wasted pages of repeated information. However, Bernstein’s appendices of almost 50 pages reads as if it were an entirely independent crash course. When reading the book, it is recommended to simply consider this a chapter and to read through the valuable information presented. It’s a good “refresher” for the book content, but it also contains valuable troubleshooting areas, rules of thumb, common mistakes made by beginners (and how to solve them), a convenient maintenance checklist to help you stay on track, and even mistakes Bernstein herself has made that she hopes beginners will avoid. There’s also a list of other reliable resources recommended by Bernstein, and in contrast to many similar books, it doesn’t list only books that are often hard to find. Bernstein includes lists of reliable blogs, social media accounts to follow, forums, websites, books and even trusted seed companies.

1. It helps us understand why Aquaponics is so important to the future of our food supply.

“I concluded that it solves the problem of expensive, and often unsafe, chemical fertilizers in hydroponics. It solves the problem of waste removal in aquaculture. It solves the problem of excess water use in traditional agriculture. And for the backyard gardener, it solves the problems of weeds, under- and over-watering, fertilizing and back drain,” she stated in the book’s preface. This conclusion sums up why aquaponics is a better growing system for nutritional food than traditional farming, and it helps us realize the problems with traditional farming, such as waste runoff into water supplies, overcrowding, release of methane gas, and perhaps most importantly, the space it takes to grow what amounts to just a few meals. She points out that it’s much more sustainable without the use of fertilizers and pesticides for weed control. The absence of these chemicals also means healthier food for those consuming what’s grown. In addition, the fish are healthier as well.

The book also discusses actual statistics regarding food in the world today, population growth and other scientific factors that support aquaponics.

1. There are guidelines for every step of the way.

Many books explain how to set up a system, but few do so as clearly as Bernstein. However, it is rare to find a resource that essentially creates a beginner’s plan for you. So, you have set up all of your tanks, filters and plumbing, but when do you add fish? Bernstein has the answer. Should you add plants first and then fish? How do you account for the growth of the fish if you begin with young fish? Bernstein addresses each of these steps and when to introduce each element into your tank.

1. Bernstein doesn’t just point you in the direction of premade systems, but she teaches you how to create a custom system.

In the book, Bernstein outlines each individual part of the system so that you can be creative and have a unique garden. This is especially handy for those who hope to use recycled materials, or have equipment already that they’d prefer to use. In fact, she even details common recycled materials, where to take caution, and how to work around some of the issues you may encounter when creating a system “from scratch.” As some books simply suggest popular brands for components, Bernstein’s effort to go the extra mile here is extremely helpful.

1. She simply makes you love the idea of Aquaponics.

This is something severely lacking from other resources. When Bernstein describes her garden, it’s as if she’s in a magical place, not a large overwhelming farm that requires intense labor and back-breaking long hours.

“The winter aquaponics garden in my greenhouse is alive in a way that the cold, still, outside garden can’t possibly aspire to. The warm, moist air smells slightly like freshly turned earth after a spring rain. The sound of flowing water tells of life and energy. The vibrant green plants in various stages and sizes are bursting with promise and productivity,” she states in Section I. This beautiful description pairs well with her detailed photographs. The photographs, likely meant to mostly provide reference about the build of different systems, are just calling readers to come and explore a new world of gardening.

1. 10.After reading, you find that you not only learned about Aquaponics, but you have a better grasp of how food supplies work in general, and learn an immense amount of related information.

While Bernstein’s book is focused on Aquaponics, she spends a great deal of time discussing other grow methods, how they differ and why aquaponics is likely better. In addition, the great detail she uses to describe simple things like the wattage of lightbulbs needed and the pros and cons of different types, and different types of seals and other parts needed, provides an immense amount of knowledge that translates into other areas of life. For example, after reading Bernstein’s book, you’ll also discover how to keep your fish tank healthier, and how you may be able to reduce the carbon footprint of your smaller gardening projects. You’ll even learn some advantages and disadvantages to a similar, more popular system, hydroponics. There’s even great detail about the increased output you can expect from aquaponics.

In summary, reading Aquaponic Gardening is an essential beginning to your new gardening journey. Not only will you learn how to grow your own food in the most efficient way possible, but you’ll learn all about our carbon footprints in the world’s food supply, and you’ll grow more conscious of your day to day decision making. You’ll not only be left with a beautiful, healthy and organic garden, but a wealth of knowledge as well.