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Aquaponics is
the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics
(soilless plant culture). In aquaponics, the
nutrient-rich water that results from raising fish provides a
source of natural fertilizer for the growing plants. As
the plants consume the nutrients, they help to purify the water
that the fish live in. A natural microbial process keeps
both the fish and plants healthy.
This creates a sustainable ecosystem where both plants and fish can
thrive. Aquaponics is the ideal answer to a fish farmers problem of
disposing of nutrient rich water and a hydroponic growers need for
nutrient rich water. Have a question?
Visit the Aquaponics FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions) page or visit
Commercial Aquaponics
for information on an aquaponics business.
See all aquaponics info.
Hydroponics is growing plants in a solution
of water
and nutrients, without soil. The solution is created by adding the
elements a plants needs to water, which is fed directly to the plant’s
roots. In some hydroponic systems the roots are in a growing medium which
keeps them moist, aerated and helps to support the plant. Hydroponics
provides the plant with the ideal water and nutrient ratios and optimum
conditions for growth.
In aquaculture, the water quickly becomes
nutrient rich due to the fish digesting their food and excreting waste.
The waste water is usually filtered and/or disposed of to keep the tank
water free of toxic buildups.
In aquaponics, the fish waste provides a
food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter
for the fish. This creates a mini ecosystem where both plants and fish can
thrive. Aquaponics is the ideal answer to a fish farmers problem of
disposing of nutrient rich water and a hydroponic growers need for
nutrient rich water.
Commercially, aquaponics is in its infancy
but, as the technology develops and is refined, it has the potential to be
a more efficient and space saving method of growing fish, vegetables and
herbs. By incorporating aquaponics, hydroponic growers can eliminate the
cost and labor involved in mixing a fertilizer solution and commercial
aquaculturists may be able to drastically reduce the amount of filtration
needed in recirculating fish culture. Although there is currently a
limited number of commercial aquaponic operations, many people are
expressing a strong interest in this intensive method of food production.
Although the practices of fish farming and soil less
plant culture have been traced to ancient times, the combination
of the two is quite new. Research in aquaponics began in the 1970’s and
continues today. Several Universities worldwide are dedicating resources
to further the technology. At the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr.
James Rakocy and his associates have developed a commercially viable
aquaponics system designed for use in the tropics where natural fish
populations have been depleted and most agricultural products must be
imported.
On a hobby scale,
aquaponics has the potential to catch on quickly. A home aquarium, with
ornamental or food fish, can be combined with a mini garden, growing
herbs, vegetables or flowers. A hobby system can serve as a beautiful show
piece or a food production system, depending on the size. Many backyard
gardeners are setting up systems to grow hundreds of pounds of fish and
all the fresh vegetables a family needs. If you are interested in
hobby aquaponics, check out the book Desktop
Aquaponics.
In
educational applications, aquaponics is
an excellent model of natures biological cycles. For educators, we
have a comprehensive Aquaponics Curriculum Package,
complete with an Educator's Guide, Student Manual, Transparencies, a
CD-Rom and a subscription to the Aquaponics Journal.
The
Aquaponics
Journal is a bimonthly publication covering aquaponics. Each
issue offers interesting, informative features on commercial, hobby,
research, and educational applications of aquaponics.
For a thorough overview of
aquaponics, we offer the recently released "Introduction
to Aquaponics" on VHS Video and DVD.
Our
new book, Aquaponic Food Production is an
excellent resource to learn more about aquaponics.
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