What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil).

How does Aquaponics Work?

There are three main components to an aquaponics system: fish, plants, and microbes (nitrifying bacteria).

The fish’s waste provide organic nutrients for the plants and the plants filters the water for the fish to live in. The microbes convert the ammonia (too much ammonia from the fish waste is harmful) to nitrites then nitrates. The plants then use nitrates to make amino acids which are essential to make protein (for growth and reproduction.)

Types of Aquaponics Systems

Media Filled Beds: Plants grow in rock medium or expanded clay

with water from the fish tank pumped over the media. The water 

can be pumped with a continuous flow or by flooding and draining.

Nutrient Film Technique: Nutrient rich water is pumped down small

enclosed gutters, the water flowing down the gutter is only a very

thin film. Plants sit in small plastic cups allowing their roots to

access the water and absorb the nutrients.

Deep Water Culture: Plants float on top of the water through a 

buoyant allowing their roots to hang down into the water. This 

can be done by using a foam raft or by growing fish in a seperate

tank and pumping the fish water into channels where the floating

rafts are.

Benefits of Aquaponics

• Water conservation

• No harmful runoff

• Gas conservation

• Land conservation

• Energy conservation (using renewable energy)

• Food grown is organic

• No weeds, pest, or pathogens

• Food security

• Sustainable