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 work, with a view to cultivating both plants and fish, in an environment that hopes to offer be ideal for both.
The plants are grown in containers filled with gravel, and fish in regular tanks of water; being fed standardized commercially available food. As the water in the fish tanks are cycled, it is pumped through the plant trays.
Bacteria in the trays break down any waste products from the fish, providing them with essential nutrients. This water, now purified, is cycled back into the fish tanks.
It is a process that significantly benefits both the plants and the fish.
The fish are healthier; suffering from fewer infections and diseases. They are less stressed than those produced by traditional aquaculture systems; thought to be as a direct result of the lack of pesticides, and other chemicals that leech into the water.
Plants tend to be healthier too; being bigger and producing increased crops. Again, this is down to the lack of artificial products used in their cultivation.
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. - 31875
Aquaponics systems work, with a view to cultivating both plants and fish, in an environment that hopes to offer be ideal for both.
The plants are grown in containers filled with gravel, and fish in regular tanks of water; being fed standardized commercially available food. As the water in the fish tanks are cycled, it is pumped through the plant trays.
Bacteria in the trays break down any waste products from the fish, providing them with essential nutrients. This water, now purified, is cycled back into the fish tanks.
It is a process that significantly benefits both the plants and the fish.
The fish are healthier; suffering from fewer infections and diseases. They are less stressed than those produced by traditional aquaculture systems; thought to be as a direct result of the lack of pesticides, and other chemicals that leech into the water.
Plants tend to be healthier too; being bigger and producing increased crops. Again, this is down to the lack of artificial products used in their cultivation.
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. - 31875
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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.
