Urban Gardener: Wan Mohd Ridhwan Bin Wan Mohd Hanizan

---

I first met Wan Mohd Ridwan at the January Permaculture Design Course (PDC) at Hulu Langat. He struck me as being very down-to-earth and humble. In his trademark unassuming way, he has put together a successful aquaponics system within his home. Let's hear what he has to share about it.

Tell me a bit about yourself.

I'm married with two children, and I'm the eldest from my seven siblings. I was born in KL but am originally from Terengganu. I'm an active seeker of a better way of life spiritually and physically, insyaAllah.

What inspired you to start up your own aquaponics system? Why do you enjoy it?

I came across this system last year whilst studying permaculture on my own and see it as being very practical for urban life. As I seek to provide my family with the best and clean food with minimum cost, I upped my research on the subject. It is fun as it involves some ‘engineering' and it's enjoyable to see plants growing doubly fast.

For the uninitiated, how would you describe aquaponics? What does it entail?

It is a combination of fish (ornamental or consumable) rearing and veggie/plants growing. Sometimes it's great to have fish in your compound but the downside is the expenditure on filtering and changing the water. On the other hand, because you have limited good soil for plants and veggies to grow in urban areas, this system eliminates that issue.

What do you need for a small aquaponics start up at home and how much would it cost?

You basically need:

• two plastic tanks, one is for the fish and the other is for growing plants/veggies
• need 1 submersible pump
• some PVC piping
• some knowledge to maintain the whole system.
• Might cost less than RM500

What materials did you need to put it together?

As mentioned, the tanks have to be stacked vertically, with the fish tank below and grow bed above. Place the pump inside the fish tank, channel recycled water to the grow bed, then channel the outlet back into the fish tank.

Any tips on how to spend less at first?

Personally, I acquired my first set via an experienced supplier and learned from him how to go about setting up the whole system. After which I explore my own designs. This way you save a lot of uncertainties which may be costly.

From experience, what materials should we avoid?

You may want to avoid using 100% clay balls in your grow bed as they are too light, and avoid mixing different species of fish in a tank.

How long did it take to get your system up and running and how much time do you spend on it weekly?

If I were building my own set, with all the parts available on site, I might need 1-2 days to have everything in place. It's possibly much quicker with more skills and experience. Weekly, I would say I spend around 1-2 hours.

What type of plants are you growing, and what type of fish?

I am experimenting for now so I put in all types of plants/veggies. Some do well and some don't. It all depends on your system maturity as well. An aquaponic system needs 8-12 months to mature – by this stage, the necessary bacteria is in place to convert fish waste into plant food and return the water clean into the tank. With some knowledge and guidance, for example the Murray Hallam DVD, the first few months of a system can be a breeze if tackled correctly. But you might see fish dying due to pH issues, ammonia contamination, veggie/plants browning due to iron deficiency etc.

What would you say is the most difficult part about aquaponics? What have been some of your challenges and how are you overcoming them?

The most difficult would be waiting for fish to grow big and veggies to be good for harvest! But to be honest, it is difficult to actually see veggies turning brown and fish tank water clouded with fish waste. It makes you wonder, "What do I do to rectify this?" That's part of the learning process.

What's your advice for aquaponics beginners?

My advice is don't wait and get started immediately. If you start later, your learning will also be delayed. Get an expert to set it up for you and learn from them. Don't be afraid to experiment be it the fish type, system setup, veggie type etc. I have impressed a few neighbours and relatives and they might want me to help them set up their aquaponics system. This can be a way to earn a living as well, as long as Allah allows. I am also inspired to use aquaponics as normal pot planting and raised bed gardens can be targets for cat litter! It really is an issue in my housing area so by using gravel or other grow bed media, this problem seems to be mitigated. I really hope it stays that way!

---

New to Cultivate Central? Click here to read our manifesto

If you are thinking about starting your own food garden and need a constant supply of ideas and tips, follow us on our facebook page. Thanks for dropping by!