Aquaponics The Basics

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Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant
culture). In aquaponics, the nutrient-rich water that results from raising fish provides a source of
natural fertilizer for the growing plants. As the plants consume the nutrients, they help to purify the
water that the fish live in. A natural microbial process keeps both the fish and plants healthy. This
creates a sustainable ecosystem where both plants and fish can thrive. Aquaponics is the ideal
answer to a fish farmers problem of disposing of nutrient rich water and a hydroponic growers
need for nutrient rich water.

Have a question? Visit the Aquaponics FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page or visit
Commercial Aquaponics for information on an aquaponics business. See all aquaponics info.

Hydroponics alows plants to grow in water with out the need for soil. The solution is created by
adding the elements a plants needs to water, which is fed directly to the plants roots. Some
hydroponic systems the roots stay at a "growing state" that keeps the plant young and moist for
growth. Hydroponics provides the plant with the ideal water and nutrient ratios and optimum
conditions for growth.

When the fish digest their food and excret to waste the water becomes VERY nutrient rich. The
water is filtered to keep the water from building up of to muck waste.

Aquaponics uses the plants to filter the waste water by sucking up the water that was filled with
nutrients by the fish. This creates a mini ecosystem where both plants and fish can thrive.
Aquaponics does provide fish farmers a great use for the millions of gallons of water the waste
every year.

Commercially, aquaponics is in its infancy but, as the technology develops and is refined, it has
the potential to be a more efficient and space saving method of growing fish, vegetables and
herbs. Hydoponic growers can reduce labor cost and fertilizer cost by using the waste water from
comerical fish farmers. People are expressing a strong intrest in aquaponics because of its
potential to speed-up food production.

Although the practices of fish farming and soil less plant culture have been traced to ancient times,
the combination of the two is quite new. We estimate the aquaponics research began in the
1970's. Universities WORLDWIDE are now researching aquaponics. At the University of the Virgin
Islands, Dr. James Rakocy and his associates have developed a commercially viable aquaponics
system designed for use in the tropics where natural fish populations have been depleted and
most agricultural products must be imported.

As a hobby aquaponics is sure to catch on quickly. A home aquarium, with ornamental or food
fish, can be combined with a mini garden, growing herbs, vegetables or flowers. A hobby system
can serve as a beautiful show piece or a food production system, depending on the size. Many
home gardeners are already growing fish and fresh vegetables a family needs.

In educational applications, aquaponics is an excellent model of natures biological cycles. For
educators, we have a comprehensive Aquaponics Curriculum Package, complete with an
Educator's Guide, Student Manual, Transparencies, a CD-Rom and a subscription to the
Aquaponics Journal.

The Aquaponics Journal is a bimonthly publication covering aquaponics. Each issue offers
interesting, informative features on commercial, hobby, research, and educational applications of
aquaponics.

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To MASTER HydroPonics Click The Links Below
http://aquaponics123.blogspot.com/

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