15 Aquaponics Facts That Explain Food Production

Aquaculture is raising aquatic animals and plants symbiotically.

Hydroponics is cultivating plants in water. The water from aquatic waste is used as a fertilizer for plants.

There are different farming techniques according to the size, the types of foods, and complexity. Contrary to the popular belief, the aquaponics system has ancient roots.

The Aztec cultivation and 13th century Chinese used the aquaponics system. Plants were raised on movable and stationary islands. The Tang dynasty and northern Song Dynasty of the sixth and eighth centuries used this method for rice cultivation.

At the North Carolina University, Dr. Mark McMurty's works and New Alchemy Institute have contributed to the modern aquaponics system. There are two parts of aquaculture: hydroponics and aquaculture. Components of the aquaponic system are the rearing tank, settling basin, biofilter, hydroponics subsystem, and sump.

Additional units such as biofiltration, units for solids removal, and hydroponics subsystem can be put as one or multiple subsystems. Sand or gravel is used as a plant supporting system for the roots to grow.

What is aquaponics?

Aquaponics is the practice of growing plants in water, using fish waste as feed. The water is nutrient-rich and acts as a natural fertilizer for the plants.

The plants in turn help to purify water for the fish. The microbes present in the water convert the fish waste into nutrients.

These nutrients are used by plants as food. This is an environment-friendly technique as it uses fewer fertilizers, and little water is used when compared to conventional farming methods.

Aquaponic systems utilize less than a sixth of the water than regular farming practices. The fish waste is filtered through gravel grow beds, and the plants play the role of biofilters. In some cases, adding extra nutrients to the plants is essential.

But in most cases, fish food is the only input given to the system. Different growers experiment with different feeds and fishes according to the plant they want to grow.

The quality of the fish also plays an important role in the health of plants. Care should be taken to remove the fish waste when there is excess, as it can harm the health of the fish.

The pH level of water should also be monitored regularly. Plastic which is food grade or glass should be used to make the fish tanks. If it is necessary to use a pesticide, then it should be organic.

Through the nitrifying bacteria, nitrogen is provided to the water. Apart from fishes, shrimps and snails can also grow in an aquaponic system. Lettuce, duckweed, and other fish food can also be given to the fish.

The temperature of the water cannot be too alkaline or acidic. If the optimum temperature is not maintained, then fishes can die.

Herbs, mint, tomatoes, cucumbers, leak cauliflower, and broccoli can be grown in aquaponics. Rapid growth is seen in aquaponics, owing to its environment-friendly approach. Nutritious nitrates NO3 are created instead of toxic ammonia NH3 by closely mirroring natural processes of plant growth.

Bacteria is essential for plants to grow in aquaponics. The waste by fishes creates nutrient-rich water essential for plants. This nutrient-rich water is then pumped to use as a fertilizer to plant growth. Organic vegetables can be easily obtained by the aquaponics system.

Origin And History Of Aquaponics

The Aquaponics system is different from traditional gardening. as fish are present in water and are essential in providing nutrients to the plants. Around 1000 AD, Aztecs planted on lake surfaces on a raft.

Mayan farmers planted on man-made lakes in freshwater called Chinampas. Chinampas were made from grass and weeds on low-lying lake beds. After that using wattle and daub, it was fenced in the island rectangle.

The nutrients which they received from a variety of microorganisms, crayfish, worms, and fish produce different types of crops. This method can also be traced back to ancient China. Around 5 AD, in Yunnan, paddy fields were grown in a soilless environment.

Wang Zhen's book of farming written in 13th-century Chinese agriculture has a record where wooden rafts were put one above the other using dirt and mud. Wild rice grew on those rafts. It was called floating raft rice cultivation.

In modern Aquaponic systems, only certain types of fish are used. Farmers may find that feed costs more than fertilizer chemicals. Fish production is done at a very controlled temperature.

Food production in different climates is promoted through this method. Food production can be done in small quantities even when there is a shortage.

Fish farming combined with hydroponics is a sustainable method of farming. The fish which are cultivated in fish farming is rich in nutrients. When compared to conventional agriculture.

In aquaponics, plants do not expend a lot of energy growing very large root systems. In places where farming is impossible due to extreme cold or hot weather, such as polar regions or deserts, this method provides a safe and effective way to consume healthy food.

Aquaponics is better than greenhouses, as there is no worry of pests, insects, climate hazards, and pathogens. In the future, aquaponics will surpass greenhouses. With fossil fuel shortages and rapid urban growth, there might not be enough land in the future for farming.

Aquaponics is the best blend between gardening and aquaculture. Aquaculture is the practice of raising fish in tanks. In the future, there will be nutrient-less soils, climate change, and fuel shortages which will make it impossible for food to grow. For an aquaponic garden, a neutral pH level of 6.8 to 7.2 is ideal using compatible pH adjusters.

Purpose Of Aquaponics

The soil-less plant culture is the future of farming. Due to the shortage of water and pollution from fertilizers.

Fish are purified with the help of plants. The plants receive a natural fertilizer from feeding fish a nutrient-rich diet. It is a natural process and behaves the same way as lakes, rivers, waterways, and ponds.

The only input provided to this system is fish food which is easily available. The excretion of fish forms fodders for the plants. When plants consume the nutrients, they help to purify the water.

The plants and fish in the aquaponics system are healthy to eat. The fish which gives the best result are freshwater fish, the crops which can grow comfortably in this environment are herbs, greens, and lettuces.

Aquaponics systems have a drain system and a flood system. This ensures that the roots of the crops are not submerged in water the whole time.

It is an effective way when compared to soil farming. A soil garden utilizes 10 times more water than an aquaponic system. It also consumes 75% less energy.

The farm can also gain energy from alternative systems such as wind, hydroelectric and solar. The feed is given by the farmers in aquaponics farms and the production of organic crops and plants are the main aims of aquaponics.

There is a resource guide for farmers to operate aquaponics. The koi and tilapia fishes are suitable for aquaponics systems. The above fishes can live peacefully without water currents.

Fishes like trout find it hard to survive without water currents. Aquaponics systems ensure farmers maintain farms that require less soil and land and receive high-quality plants with exclusive farming. It can be the future of farming and a cost-effective alternative.

Pros And Cons Of Aquaponics

The benefits of aquaponics are that they can eliminate many diseases in plants that are soil-borne. A vegetable and a protein crop can be grown using this method. This method uses 1/6th of water of that of the regular amount used in producing the crop.

That means it also grows eight times more productive with the same amount of water. Food is free from harmful fertilizers. It is a more economic way of producing organic food.

The disadvantage of this method is that not all types of fish can be used for Aquaponics. Growing different types of plants apart from leafy vegetables is not possible with this method.

This system cannot be installed by anyone and should be done professionally. There can be an unexpected failure due to the malfunction of the aquaponics system. Aquaponic systems require electrical energy, which if not used from renewable sources can become very expensive in the long run.

The temperature of the fish tank should be kept at an optimum level, and not go beyond the range in which they cannot thrive. Water consumption is less and the bills are also reduced. In a given space, the production is increased up to 30%. The production of produce happens year-round and is not dependent on the climate.