Aquaponics How To
What is Aquaponics?
aqua-pon-ics
Pronunciation Spelt: [ak-wuh-pon-iks] - noun (used with a singular verb)The symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment.
Aquaponics is basically a combination of Aquaculture (growing fish) & Hydroponics (growing plants).
[Origin: 1996-97; aqua(culture) + (hydro)ponics]
Related forms:
aqua-pon-ic, adjective : an aquaponic system
aqua-pon-i-cal-ly, adverb : he grew the plants aquaponically
aqua-pon-i-cist, noun : she is an aquaponicist
Aquatic animal effluent (fish waste) accumulates in water as a byproduct of the keeping them in a closed system or tank (recirculating aquaculture system). The effluent rich water becomes high in plant nutrients but is toxic to the aquatic animal.
Plants are grown in a way (hydroponic system) that utilizes the nutrient rich water. The plants in turn
digest the nutrients, reducing or eliminating the waters toxicity for the aquatic animal. The water, now clean, is returned to the aquatic animal environment and the cycle continues.
Aquaponic systems do not discharge or exchange water. The systems rely on the natural relationship between the aquatic animals and the plants to maintain the environment. Water is only added to replace water loss from absorption by the plants or evaporation into the air.
Aquaponic systems vary in size from small indoor units to large commercial units. They can be based on fresh or salt water.
Freshwater systems rely on three major elements:
* Freshwater aquatic animals;
* Nitrifying Bacteria; and
* Plants.
The freshwater aquatic animals produce Ammonia. A nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas sp) converts the Ammonia to Nitrite. Another nitrifying bacteria (Nitrobacter) then converts the Nitrite to Nitrate. The plants then use the Nitrate and thus "clean" the water for the fish.
Saltwater systems rely on only two major elements:
* Saltwater aquatic animals; and
* Seaweed/Algae.
Photos are of aquaponic systems built and/or maintained by Martin and Kerri