Aquaponics is a symbiotic system combining aquaculture – the cultivation of aquatic life like fish, shrimp, and prawns – with hydroponics, growing plants in water without soil
The term Aquaponics blends aquaculture and hydroponics representing the simultaneous and sustainable cultivation of crops alongside fish farming. Also referred to as hydroponics, it involves an integrated, closed-loop system where fish waste, rich in ammonia and nutrients, is converted into nitrates by a filtration process. These nitrates nourish plants grown in hydroponic beds, which in turn purify the water for the fish.
Intrinsic to aquaponics is a filtration system that converts ammonia, which is toxic to fish in high concentrations, into nitrates. These nitrates serve as essential nutrients for plants cultivated in hydroponic grow beds. Their roots are submerged in the nutrient-rich water (fish waste). By absorbing the nitrates, the plants filter and purify the water and return it to the pond, enriched with oxygen.
On a commercial scale, aquaponics enables the simultaneous production of edible fish and vegetables, helping to increase the local availability of fresh and healthy food in a sustainable feedback system. Moreover, it is a valuable educational tool, demonstrating the interconnectedness of aquatic life and food prodution, fostering learning in schools, universities and local communities.
Environmentally speaking, aquaponic systems excel at water purification. Plants effectively filter out excess nutrients and pollutants present in fish tank water. On a larger scale, this technology holds promise for restoring damaged aquatic ecosystems.
If you’ve got space for a fish tank and some potted plants, you can set up a home aquaponics system. You’ll need a fish tank; a grow bed; a growing medium to support the plants and allow the roots to grow, like hydroponic rocks, gravel or clay balls; a water pump; and a filtration system, either a mechanical filter to remove large particles and/or biological material, such as stones or sponges. Choose fish species suitable for aquaponics, such as tilapia, trout, carp, or some ornamental fish.
