Fish and plants, together. That’s aquaponics: a food-growing form of agriculture that combines fish raising(aquaculture) with soil-less plant growth where the majority of nutrients for the plants are produced by the fish. An aquaponics system allows a large culture of fish to be raised inside of a relatively small physical and ecological footprint. A common term in aquaponics is ‘recirculating’; this is a nod to the natural fill and return of ‘dirty’ fish water that is detoxified, absorbed, and reused. The exchange of water between fish tank and filtration system invites non-toxic, beneficial bacteria to colonize inside the system. These beneficial bacteria are actually healthy nutrients that are channeled into a plant-grow space, providing the plants dissolved nutrients that they eat up.

The Nitrogen Cycle

When fish excrete waste, they release nitrogen in the form of ammonia. Beneficial bacteria arrives and converts the ammonia into nitrate, which is more toxic than ammonia, and then eventually into nitrate, the good form of nitrogen that plants prefer. Because of this symbiotic relationship between fish and plants, an aquaponics system depends on minimal water to be discharged from the system. This process is called the Nitrogen Cycle.

Aquaponics vs Hydroponics: Similar but Different

Hydroponics, another form of soil-less growing in water minus the fish, must dispose of those accumulated organic matter and dissolved nutrients. While hydroponics does reduce the amount of water discharged, the accumulation of organic matter and dissolved nutrients requires the system to be flushed in order to prevent nutrient build up. The discharged water from a hydroponics system poses an unhealthy contribution to environmental pollution.

                In some research studies, build up of nitrate in an aquaponic system’s water was reduced by 97% when compared to an exclusively fish-only culture.

In an aquaponics system, the nutrients are recovered by the plants. So rather than needing the be discharged, the ‘dirty’ water from the fish tank is detoxified, feeds the plants, and returns to the plants: It’s all recirculating.

FAQs

Q1: Can aquaponics be practiced on a small scale?

Yes, aquaponics is adaptable to various scales, including small-scale setups suitable for home gardening and larger systems for commercial production.

Q2: What types of fish are commonly used in aquaponics?

Commonly used fish species in aquaponics include tilapia, catfish, trout, and perch. The choice depends on factors like water temperature, local regulations, and desired market preferences.

Q3: Is aquaponics suitable for all types of plants?

Aquaponics supports a wide range of plants, including herbs, leafy greens, and fruiting plants. However, some plants may have specific nutrient requirements that need to be considered.