What is Aquaponics?

Photo: Freshwater 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. There are numerous Aquaponics plants to choose from.

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. 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. There are a number of Aquaponics fish to choose from.

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.

Photo: Saltwater acquaponics

Saltwater systems rely on only two major elements:

    * Saltwater aquatic animals; and

    * Seaweed/Algae.

http://www.aquaponicshowto.com/what-is-aquaponics/page/20/

How To Build Your Own Aquaponics Greenhouse

Watch how these guys build their aquaponics tanks. A very informative video if you are thinking of building your own.  I wish you best of luck if you choose to build your own.

Aquaponics Made Practical by Murray Hallams

Murray Hallmans will demystify the mystery behind Aquaponics.  He will explain to you how you can build your own Aquaponics using his very practical and easy methods.

How is Aquaponics Different From Hydroponics?

For many years there has been a general debate about the efficiency of aquaponic systems. The more traditional supporters of hydroponics believe that hydroponics is sufficient for producing quality vegetables and fruits. I'm not debating the fact that hydroponics has served its purpose well. But as with all agricultural technologies, hydroponics has its own limitations. 

The first limitation is that you have to continually add nutrients to the water to sustain the hydroponic plants. The second limitation involves the water used in the system itself. One of the downsides of hydroponics is that you have to drain some of the water on a regular basis in order to keep the water clean. 

Then we have traditional pond aquaculture. People can harvest fish, but the vegetation growing on top of the pond is usually inedible. Aquaponics combines the best facets of pond aquaculture and hydroponics to produce something truly unique: a system that produces almost zero waste and utilizes animal waste and food waste to nourish vegetables and fruits. 

Additional filtration systems can be added to an existing aquaponic system to remove excess waste in the water. An aquaponic system can also be expanded again and again to support multiple grow beds. 

A single holding tank with about seventy fish can support up to eight individual grow beds with different vegetables planted in the grow bed media. Aquaponics is so efficient that even commercial producers in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world are using this technology to produce both edible fish and fresh plant produce. 

SuperSize Your Vegetables with Wood Chips & Rock Dust in Your Garden

Be amazed at how he grows his vegetables in wood chips.  Some great tips for you to grow your vegetables in a wood chip garden.  Great eco-system foundation.

Organic Gardening: How To Grow An Organic Vegetable Garden

Wouldn’t it be nice to say that your are an organic gardener?

The great thing is that you won’t need a huge space.  So watch this video giving you the tips you need and what tools to buy in order to create a great organic vegetable garden.

To your success in healthy eating!

Spring Garden Guide

Get your landscape off to the best start using these hints and tips for the spring season from the BHG garden editors

Click on link below to find out the spring garden hints and tips.

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/spring-garden-guide/