Aquaponics

Introduction:

Aquaponics is the process of growing aquatic organisms and plants symbiotically, in which the effluent of aquaculture undergoes microbial transformations to be used as a source of nutrients for plant growth, while the nutrient rich water shall be reused for aquaculture. It is the production of plants in a soil less medium where by all of the nutrients supplied to the crop are dissolved in water. Primarily, aquaponics has been perceived to have a high water use efficiency, use a minimal amount of synthetic fertilizer, eliminate the use of pesticides/herbicides or antibiotics and the need for soil, simultaneously produce plant and fish, and minimize the release of aquaculture waste into the environment.

Components of an aquaponic system:

A commercial aquaponics system includes an electric pump that moves nutrient-rich water from the fish tank through a filter to remove particles that the plants cannot absorb. The water then provides nutrients for the plants and is cleansed before returning to the fish tank. Aquaponics consists of two main parts, with the aquaculture part for raising fish and the hydroponics part for growing plants. The effluent-rich water becomes toxic to the aquatic animal in high concentrations but this contains nutrients essential for plant growth.

Typical components include:

1. Rearing tank: The tanks for raising and feeding the fish
2. Settling basin: A unit for catching un eaten food and detached biofilms,and for settling out fine particulates
3. Bio filter: A place where the nitrification bacteria can grow and convert ammonia into nitrates, which are usable by the plants
4. Hydroponics subsystem: The portion of the system where plants are grown by absorbing nutrients from the water
5. Pump: The lowest point in the system where the water flows to and from which it is pumped back to the rearing tanks.

Importance of Aquaponics

1. Miserly water use - the water is used very efficiently to grow two crops -fish & plants
2. Zero environmental impact - no nutrient-rich waste-water discharge, the fish food is used to its maximum potential (to grow fish & plants).
3. Two crops from the one input - the fish feed entering the system supports the growth of both fish and plants.
4. Small foot print/high density - because of their compact nature, facilities may be located very close to the end users

Location of an Aquaponics Setup:

1. The plants should be kept where it can receive at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight. It ensures plant growth and good yield.
2. The fish tank should be located away from sunlight because light exposure may result in the growth of green algae in the fish tank.
3. Grow floating plants like water lettuce or Eichornia in the water so that they shield the water. One can even have some foam rafts with edible plantsfloating in the tank.
4. Avoid keeping the system under trees that drop flowers or leaves.
5. Some plants may contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the fish.