A combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, aquaponics systems are an increasingly popular farming practice. Taking all elements from fish farming and soil less farming, it aims to take the eco-benefits of both, whilst minimizing any negative aspects.
Aquaponics systems essentially work to cultivate plants and fish in an atmosphere that is conducive to the healthy development of both.
As with many traditional hydroponics systems; plants are grown in trays filled with gravel, whilst the fish continue to grow in regular tanks; as in aquaculture farms, and are given a diet of regular food. The water in the fish tanks is cycled through the plant trays.
Bacteria, which are already present in the plant trays, break down the waste products contained in the fish tank water, which is used by the plants to get all their nutrition. Having been purified, the water cycles back into the fish tanks.
The process seems to be highly beneficial to both plants and the fish, and returns excellent results accordingly.
For their part, the fish are healthier and resistant to infections and disease. As a result, they are also less stressed than those in aquaculture systems. It is thought that this is because of a lack of chemicals that leech into the water.
Plants too follow the same course of being healthy and more resilient to disease. In both cases this seems to be due to the lack of chemicals used in the process.
These are not the only benefits however; it is a far more cost efficient process to the farmer. There are no chemicals to buy of course; whilst plant food costs are all but eradicated. Soil borne disease is also not a problem; such is the nature of the farming.
As the world's population rises, it is going to be necessary to increase food production on a huge scale. It is hoped that aquaponics systems could, at least in part, help with this. It is already being rolled out in the developing world, where food shortages are already increasingly common. Environmentally friendly too, it could be just the answer we have been looking for. - 33381
Aquaponics systems essentially work to cultivate plants and fish in an atmosphere that is conducive to the healthy development of both.
As with many traditional hydroponics systems; plants are grown in trays filled with gravel, whilst the fish continue to grow in regular tanks; as in aquaculture farms, and are given a diet of regular food. The water in the fish tanks is cycled through the plant trays.
Bacteria, which are already present in the plant trays, break down the waste products contained in the fish tank water, which is used by the plants to get all their nutrition. Having been purified, the water cycles back into the fish tanks.
The process seems to be highly beneficial to both plants and the fish, and returns excellent results accordingly.
For their part, the fish are healthier and resistant to infections and disease. As a result, they are also less stressed than those in aquaculture systems. It is thought that this is because of a lack of chemicals that leech into the water.
Plants too follow the same course of being healthy and more resilient to disease. In both cases this seems to be due to the lack of chemicals used in the process.
These are not the only benefits however; it is a far more cost efficient process to the farmer. There are no chemicals to buy of course; whilst plant food costs are all but eradicated. Soil borne disease is also not a problem; such is the nature of the farming.
As the world's population rises, it is going to be necessary to increase food production on a huge scale. It is hoped that aquaponics systems could, at least in part, help with this. It is already being rolled out in the developing world, where food shortages are already increasingly common. Environmentally friendly too, it could be just the answer we have been looking for. - 33381
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Want to find out more about Aquaponics Systems, then visit James Morley's site on how to choose the best Aquaponics Systems for your needs.
