Aquaponics · Online
Aquaponics Beginner
Grow fish and fresh greens together in one system, from your first tank to a working farm.
Photo: Pike Creek Horticulture Center at Gateway Technica, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Price
- R2 940
- Duration
- 2 days
- Delivery
- Online
- Next start
- Starting soon
- Live sessions
- Two days of live online sessions
- Certificate
- Aquaponics Beginner certificate
Your first step into aquaponics. Two days of live online training on how the system works, which fish and crops to start with, and how to design a small unit that stays healthy.
What you'll learn
- Explain exactly how fish, bacteria and plants feed each other in a balanced system
- Design a small aquaponics unit that fits your space and budget
- Choose fish species and Higher-Value Crops that suit your climate and your market
- Start a system safely: cycling, stocking and planting your first crops
Your pathway
The Aquaponics courses in order, from first steps to running it at scale.
- Level 1 Aquaponics Beginner You are here
- Level 2 Aquaponics Intermediate Requires Aquaponics Beginner You are here
- Level 3 Aquaponics Advanced Requires Aquaponics Intermediate You are here
- Practical On-Site Practical
Curriculum
Session 1: How Aquaponics Works
The nitrogen cycle in plain language, the three living parts of every system, and why aquaponics uses a fraction of the water of soil farming.
Session 2: Choosing Fish and Crops
Tilapia, catfish and trout compared. Leafy greens, herbs and fruiting crops, and which to start with.
Session 3: Designing Your First System
Media beds, deep water culture and NFT. Sizing tanks, pumps and grow beds for your space.
Session 4: Cycling and Stocking
Starting the bacteria, adding fish safely and planting your first crops.
Who it's for
- Complete beginners who want a practical way into farming
- Backyard and community growers ready to produce more with less water
- Graduates and career changers building an agribusiness
- Existing farmers adding fish and Higher-Value Crops to their operation
How it works
Live Online Sessions
Join live from your phone or laptop, with time for questions in every session. Recordings are shared if you miss one.
What You Need
A smartphone or computer, a stable internet connection and a notebook. No land or equipment is needed.
Your Certificate
Complete the course and its short assessment to receive your Aquaponics Beginner certificate.
Your Next Step
Beginner opens the door to Aquaponics Intermediate, then Advanced, then an on-site practical on an EARN farm.
Common questions
Can I start at Intermediate or Advanced?
Each level builds on the one before it, so most people start at Beginner. If you already run an aquaponics system, contact us and we will help you decide where to start.
What if I need a refund?
Cancel at least 14 days before your first session and we refund you in full. Inside 14 days, we move your seat to the next cohort at no cost instead.
What if I miss a live session?
Every live session is recorded and shared with your cohort within 24 hours, so you can catch up in your own time. Your facilitator also runs a short Q&A at the start of the next session.
Do I need my own land or equipment?
No. The online courses teach you how to plan, build and run a system before you spend a cent on equipment. In-person courses take place on EARN's working farms, where everything you need is ready for you.
Can I join from outside South Africa?
Yes. Online courses are open to anyone, anywhere, and we accept international cards. Live session times are set in South African time (SAST), so check how they fall in your time zone. In-person courses take place in South Africa.
Can I book for a group or a team?
Yes. Choose up to 10 seats when you book. For larger groups, cooperatives or company teams, contact us and we will put together a group package.