Aquaponics is an efficient solution to the most fundamental requirement of our modern world: a clean and sustainable source of food. Traditional aquaculture and farming are simply too time consuming or expensive for the vast majority of people. Not everyone has a large space that can be dedicated to a conventional vegetable garden.

Shortage of usable farming space prevents most people from even trying to grow their own food. Aquaponics does away with this problem because this type of system doesn’t require much space.

What is aquaponics, anyhow?

Aquaponics is just a hybrid of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (vegetable farming with the use of water). Aquaponics combines the best of both. This means more advantages for the aquaponics farmer.

How does an aquaponic system work?

Here’s a simple explanation of what goes on in an aquaponic system:

1. Freshwater fish like tilapia or white bass are put in a holding tank. The holding tank has simple aeration system to oxygenate the water. The fish are fed with pellets or organic/natural fish food.

2. The fish eat the food and excrete waste. The waste from the fish mixes with the water. Organic material and excess fish food also accumulate in the holding tank.

3. Some of the water from the holding tank is moved out to the growing beds. Read the rest of this entry »