![]() ![]() ![]() The system produces fast growing and succulent vegetable and fruit crops while also providing fish. It is a closed loop system with minimum impact on the environment. The clean water is returned to the aquatic animal environment and the cycle continues. As the plants consume these nutrients, they help to filter the water that the fish live in. The nutrient-rich water that results from a build-up of fish waste (feces, urine and urea) which can become toxic to the fish are converted by beneficial bacteria in the water into nitrites and then harmless nitrates which are used by plants as a natural fertiliser. Plant cuttings can be composted in a wormery (simplest definition is a container that holds worms and is used to compost) to provide food for the fish. Although there are currently a limited number of commercial aquaponic operators, many people are expressing a strong interest in this intensive method of food production. Technically speaking it is a combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-less plant culture). Aquaponics is essentially organic cultivation of plants and animals together in a re-circulating closed system (water tank), using water instead of potting mixes. ![]()
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