Let's Learn about Aquaponics

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. The term aquaponics is a portmanteau of the terms aquaculture and hydroponic.Aquaponic systems vary in size from small indoor or outdoor units to large commercial units, using the same technology. The systems usually contain fresh water, but salt water systems are plausible depending on the type of aquatic animal and which plants. Aquaponic science may still be considered to be at an early stage.

Hyperlinks:

Backyard Aquaponics

Murray Hallam's Forum

Benefits of Aquaponics

The by-product of the fish in the closed system creates a nitrogen-rich fetilizer

The peace-of-mind knowing from where your food has come

a sustainable food production system that combines

Hydroponics

cultivating plants in water

Typically, you are only able to grow plants that develop above ground

Aquaculture

raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks

In the United States, it is common to raise Tilapia fish for the fact tht you can harvest the fish along side the plants

Major influences in the field:

Murray Hallam

The Urban Farming Guys

Purdue University