Intro to Aquaponics

72 Pages·2015·9.12 MB·English

by  Tawnya Sawyer

Aquaponics
Growing Fish and Plants Together

Tawnya Sawyer
[email protected]
The integration of:
Aquaculture – Farming
aquatic species in a
controlled environment
Hydroponics – Growing
plants in soil-less media
Aquaponics is an integrated and balanced system
using the by-product of one species to grow another,
mimicking a natural ecosystem

How Aquaponics Works
1. Fish are raised in a tank
2. Water from the fish tank is
pumped to the plants
3. Bacteria convert ammonia and
nitrite to nitrate
4. Plants absorb the warm, nutrient
rich, oxygenated water
5. Filtered water is returned to the
fish tank, clean

Fish are Happy! Plants are Happy!
We get more to eat!
Looking to the Past for the Future
 Sixth century China used duck pens over fish ponds connected
to rice paddies and fields of vegetables
 Peruvian Inca created tiered fish and plant systems that feed
more people than an other method of farming including
present day methods
 Between 8th and 10th century
Xochimilco (meaning garden
of flowers) in the Valley of
Mexico created canals and
floating gardens called
Chinampa that feed tens of
thousands of people

Benefits of Aquaponics
 No petro-chemical fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides
 Significantly reduced food transportation
 Uses a fraction of the water, about 10% of soil growing and aqauculture
 No soil-borne diseases (E-coli, Salmonella), no tilling, no weeds
 Reduced concerns of fish contamination or species depletion
 Grow two food products together, protein and produce
 Greater crop yields, faster production, vertical planting methods
 No waste byproducts, all waste is naturally reused
 Food security, grow your own food, indoors, year-round
 Works in draught, places with poor soil quality or challenging climates
 Enhances the local economy and provides green job opportunities
The Fish
 Aquarium Fish
 Tilapia
 Perch
 Trout
 Catfish
 Bass
 Bluegill
 Carp
 Koi
 Goldfish
 Freshwater Prawns
Photos from aquaponicscommunity.com
The Plants
 Lettuces  Peas & Beans
 Squash  Cooking Greens
 Zucchini  Most Herbs
 Peppers  Tomatoes
 Cucumbers  Melons
 Strawberries  Other plants
Important Considerations
 Reasons for building the system, who will benefit?
 Is the system for you or for others to use?
 Is it for learning, food production, profit?
 Is it temporary or permanent, seasonal or year-round?
 Is it located indoors or outdoors?
 Does the location have electricity, light, water source,
ventilation, is it protected from the elements, free
from pests, possibilities for pollination?
 How will the system be monitored?