Aquaponics; Combination of Conventional Fish Culture Along With the Hydroponic Cultivation of Plants

 

Aquaponics

Aquaponics is a term originates from the two words hydroponics (the growing of plants usually in a soil-less environment) and aquaculture (the growing of fish in a closed environment). In aquaponics, both hydroponics and aquaculture methods are combined to grow fishes and plants together. Aquaponics is a way to grow fish and vegetables at the same time. Just feed the fish and the fish will feed plants through their waste output (rich in nutrients).

There is no need to use fertilizers, less water is used in aquaponics for the crops. An Aquaponics system contains fish in tanks, whose wastewater is pumped to vegetables in grow beds filled with gravel. The roots take up the nitrates and the water returns to the tank, filtered clean. The water quality of an aquaponics system is the most important aspect of any garden, and two things in particular are essential for the proper growth of plants and fish. First of all, fish need oxygen to live and grow, so one need a good aeration system to maintain the right temperature.

Fish also need to live in an environment free of extreme temperature fluctuations, and they should be protected from a variety of harmful chemicals. Many benefits of Aquaponics systems include the ability to control temperature and the possibility of changing crops according to the demand. Farmers can also control water use, as the water used is recycled or reused. Also, the system eliminates the need for weeding, as the plants are constantly fed with nutrients.

Moreover, an Aquaponics system is environmentally friendly, as it does not disturb the habitat. This means that people can build a system in any space, including the yard, and have the same benefits as an organic garden. To begin aquaponics, people need fish. Most fish in aquaponics system are freshwater or saltwater. Tilapia fish are the most common, as they are tolerant of changing water conditions and crowding. The number of plants people can grow depends on the number of fish in the system. Tilapia is one of the best fish to raise in aquaponics because they are hardy fish and can adapt to their environment and withstand ideal water conditions. They are resistant to many pathogens, parasites and in handling stress.

To maintain a healthy ecosystem, Aquaponics systems need two separate containers. One is for fish waste, and the other container houses the plants. The fish waste is used to supply nutrients and keep the plants healthy and strong. Beneficial bacteria in the growing media break down fish waste into plant food. This provides plants with essential nutrients for fast growth. It also prevents weed buildup and aeration of the water. The plants can even eat the waste of the fish. Another important part of aquaponics is the media bed, and it can be made from a heavy duty plastic tray or a wood pallet crate. The bed is flooded and drained of nutrient rich water to give the plants the nutrients and oxygen they need.