Aquaponics Pro

Aquaponics
WHAT IS AQUAPONICS?
Aquaponics is cooperation between plants and fish and the term originates from the two words
aquaculture (the growing of fish in a closed environment) and hydroponics (the growing of plants usually
in a soil-less environment).
According to a joint report from the Food and Agriculture Organization and Smart Fish, aquaponics is the
cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculation environment. Aquaponic systems come in
various sizes from small indoor units to large commercial units. And they can be either freshwater
systems or contain salt or brackish water. In other words, according to the Aquaponics Gardening
Community, aquaponics is the cultivation of fish and plants together in a constructed, recirculation
ecosystem utilizing natural bacterial cycles to convert fish waste to plant nutrition. This is an
environmentally friendly, natural food-growing method that harnesses the best attributes of
aquaculture and hydroponics without the need to discard any water or filtrate or add chemical
fertilizers.
UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA AQUACULTURE.
According to the National Ocean Service, as the demand for seafood has increased, technology has
made it possible to grow food in coastal marine waters and the open ocean. Aquaculture is a method
used to produce food and other commercial products, restore habitat and replenish wild stocks, and
rebuild populations of threatened and endangered
species.
There are two main types of aquaculture—marine and

freshwater. Moreover, the FAO also describes
aquaculture as the captive rearing and production of fish
and other aquatic animal and plant species under
controlled conditions. Many aquatic species have been
cultured, especially fish, crustaceans and mollusks and
aquatic plants and algae. Aquaculture production
methods have been developed in various regions of the planet, and have thus been adjusted to the
distinct environmental and climatic conditions in different regions. The four major categories of
aquaculture include open water systems (e.g. cages, loglines), pond culture, flow-through raceways, and
recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS).
UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA HYDROPONICS.
There are other ways of growing food rather than directly from the soil. Taking a look at a transcript
from a FAO report, they speak of soil-less cultures as a way of growing agricultural crops without the use
of soil. Instead of soil, various inert growing media, also called substrates, are used. These media provide
plant support and moisture retention. Irrigation systems are integrated within these media, thereby
introducing a nutrient solution to the plants’ root zones.
This solution gives all of the important

nutrients for plant growth. The most
common method of soil-less culture is
hydroponics, which includes growing plants
either on a substrate or in an aqueous
medium with bare roots.
HOW DOES AQUAPONICS WORK?
Aquaponics integrates aquaculture and hydroponics into one production system. Aquaponics relies on
the food introduced for fish, which works as the system’s input. As fish eat this food and process it, they
transform it into urine and fecal matter, both rich in ammonia, which in sufficient quantities can be toxic
to plants and fish.
Afterward, the water (now ammonia-rich) flows, together with un-eaten food
and decaying plant matter, from the fish tank into a biofilter. Afterward,
inside this biofilter, bacteria break everything down into organic nutrient
solutions (nitrogen-rich) for growing vegetables.
As we can see, aquaponics freshwater systems rely on 3 main components:

freshwater aquatic animals (the fish), nitrifying bacteria, and plants – and all
three living entities depend on each other to survive. Without the bacteria to
consumer the fish waste, plants wouldn’t have a usable form of nutrients
either – which is why biological filtration is crucial. And thanks to plant growth, nutrients are removed
from the water, leaving it clean for the fish.
BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS:
One of the benefits of aquaponics is that it makes it possible to have an intensive food production
system that’s still sustainable.
It encompasses two agricultural products (fish and vegetables) being produced from one nitrogen
source (fish food).Also is an extremely water-efficient system. In fact, Nelson and Pade say aquaponics
only needs 1/6th of the water to grow 8 times more food per acre compared to traditional agriculture. It
doesn’t require soil and therefore it’s not susceptible to soil-borne diseases.
HOW TO MANAGE AN AQUAPONIC

SYSTEM?
Aquaponics is a sustainable method of growing

vegetables and other plants. It mimics nature as the
plant “kingdom” reuses the leftovers from the animal
kingdom (fish) to close a circular loop. However,
achieving the system’s balance, maintaining it, and
securing optimal conditions for the fish and plans
means a close control of different parameters.
The main production parameters which need to be

perfectly set to meet the optimal needs of plants and
fish are:
1. Air temperature.
2. Water temperature.
3. The concentration of macro and micronutrients.
4. Dissolved oxygen in air and water – which depends on the filtration method used.
5. CO2 concentrations in air and in the water.
6. pH.
7. Light.
The more “perfect” these parameters are, the higher is the system’s productivity. Paying attention to
these details can help prevent insects, diseases and other types of pollution. Moreover, maintaining an
appropriate balance between fish waste and vegetable nutrient
demand, while ensuring an adequate surface area to grow a bacterial
colony in order to convert all the fish wastes.
POTENTIAL USE OF AQUAPONICS

According to FAO, aquaponics systems are made out of units that can come in many different shapes
and sizes. From small devices on kitchen benches with goldfish and herbs, to larger systems growing
silver perch fish and lettuce. On an industrial scale, more complex units can also produce tones of fish
and thousands of plants per month.
CURRENT APPLICATION OF AQUAPONICS:
1. DOMESTIC OR SMALL SCALE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM.
This is a fish tank of around 1000 liters of water and a 3m2 growing space, ideal for domestic
production.
2. SEMI COMMERCIAL AND COMMERCIAL AQUAPONICS
This means looking at a commercial system in which there aren’t many players in the market yet due to
large start up costs.
3. EDUCATION
Small aquaponics units are being used in educational sites as a

way to bridge the gap between the general public and
sustainable agriculture techniques.
4. HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AND FOOD

SECURITY INTERVENTIONS
As aquaponics systems work anywhere in the world, they can be used as pilots in developing countries
to meet the food security needs of local people
DESIGN OF AQUAPONICS UNIT

Worldwide, Thorarinsdottir says there are three main aquaponics systems being used: media beds,
floating rafts or deep water culture (DWC), and nutrient film technique (NFT). The media beds utilize
various substrates in an “ebb and flow” process while in the NFT (in a thin layer of water) and raft/DWC
systems (floating rafts in large water tanks) the plant roots grow directly into the water.
THANK YOU
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My Sincere efforts have made me to accomplish the task
Of completing this project. I have taken effort in this
Project. However, it would not have been possible
Without the kind support and help of many individuals.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my
Principal Mr. SUBRAT RANJAN PATHI and the school
For providing me with facilities required to do my
Project.
I am highly indebted to my Biology Teacher
Mr. RAMAKANTA BISWAL for her valuable guidance
This has promoted my efforts in all the stages of this
Project work. My thanks and appreciation go to my
Classmates and laboratory. Assistant in developing my
Project and to the people who have willingly helped me
Out with their abilities.
Finally, words are not sufficient to express gratitude my
Cherished family members for supporting me without
Their encouragement and support I would have not
Reached this stage.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. WHAT IS AQUAPONICS
2. UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA AQUACULTURE
3. UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA HYDROPONICS
4. HOW DOES AQUAPONICS WORK
5. BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS
6. HOW TO MANAGE AN AQUAPONIC SYSTEM
7. POTENTIAL USE OF AQUAPONICS
8. CURRENT APPLICATION OF AQUAPONICS
9. DESIGN OF AQUAPONICS UNIT

Aquaponics Pro

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Aquaponics Pro

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Aquaponics Pro

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Aquaponics

UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA AQUACULTURE.

There are two main types of aquaculture—marine and

This solution gives all of the important

HOW DOES AQUAPONICS WORK?

As we can see, aquaponics freshwater systems rely on 3 main components:

HOW TO MANAGE AN AQUAPONIC

Aquaponics is a sustainable method of growing

The main production parameters which need to be

POTENTIAL USE OF AQUAPONICS

CURRENT APPLICATION OF AQUAPONICS:

1. DOMESTIC OR SMALL SCALE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM.

2. SEMI COMMERCIAL AND COMMERCIAL AQUAPONICS

Small aquaponics units are being used in educational sites as a

4. HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AND FOOD

DESIGN OF AQUAPONICS UNIT

2. UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA AQUACULTURE

3. UNDERSTANDING AQUAPONICS VIA HYDROPONICS

4. HOW DOES AQUAPONICS WORK

6. HOW TO MANAGE AN AQUAPONIC SYSTEM

7. POTENTIAL USE OF AQUAPONICS

8. CURRENT APPLICATION OF AQUAPONICS

9. DESIGN OF AQUAPONICS UNIT

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.