In simple terms, aquaponics refers to a sustainable and ecologically friendly method of cultivating wholesome, organic food without relying on soil.
Aquaponics is a symbiotic system that merges traditional aquaculture, involving the culturing of aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish, or prawns in tanks, with hydroponics, where plants are cultivated in water.
A method wherein the nutrients needed for plant growth are sourced from the waste of aquatic animals such as farmed fish, which are then purified by the plants grown hydroponically, is known as an aquaponic system.
Aquaponics benefits
When it comes to healthy organic food production, aquaponics systems are a top choice. They offer numerous advantages over traditional farming and hydroponics. However, to keep things practical, let’s highlight the most significant benefits.
Fresh and organic fish and vegetables are generated by aquaponics.
The production of both organic fish and vegetables is possible through the ecologically sustainable aquaponic systems, which ensure that no pesticides or herbicides are utilized, resulting in a healthier and safer final product.
The top priority for every producer should be to maintain healthy fish if they want to generate high-quality vegetables and attain outstanding crop yields. This is primarily because aquaponics requires the use of nutrients generated from fish waste to feed the plants. If the fish is not healthy, it will fail to produce the required nutrients for the plants. Additionally, low-quality fish products will be produced if the fish is not in a good and happy state.
The presence of plants in aquaponic systems ensures a favorable and wholesome living space for fish, as they serve to cleanse the water. Rather than relying on costly filtration procedures and frequent water additions, the plants take on this role. As the water undergoes purification by the plants, it can be safely reintroduced to the fish, yielding an ideal aquaculture atmosphere.
The aquaponic system provides all the essential conditions for the healthy growth of fish, even though it is not their natural habitat and there is no exposure to anything beyond the fish’s natural acceptance.
Although it may seem complicated, converting a recirculating aquaculture system into an aquaponic system is actually quite straightforward. This modification will allow you to cultivate both nourishing fish and organic vegetables.
Faster plant growth and improved taste can be achieved through the use of aquaponics.
Aquaponic systems do not utilize filthy soil and chemical substances in the cultivation of crops, but rely instead on the rich and nourishing fish waste which provides all the necessary nutrients for plant growth. As a result, soil-borne diseases are avoided by eliminating the employment of soil in vegetable production.
Food cultivated using aquaponics grows faster and has a richer taste compared to conventionally or hydroponically cultivated food, likely due to the straightforward and organic nature of the method.
Food tastes better when the true taste of vegetables is not altered or masked by chemicals.
Plants having constant access to nutrients likely contributes to their accelerated growth. Aquaponics systems have been found to speed up the growth of vegetables like lettuce, which normally take about 2 months to mature in soil, by approximately a month.
It is straightforward to construct aquaponic systems, and they are economical to operate.
Apart from the initial expenses incurred in constructing the greenhouse and aquaponic system, labor and energy consumption remain the major ongoing costs for aquaponic systems. Nevertheless, aquaponic systems are relatively less expensive to operate and maintain in comparison to conventional hydroponic systems.
Aquaponic systems typically incur yearly expenses associated with the operation of a water pump to cycle the water throughout the system, expenses related to feeding the fish, and minimal amounts of water that must be periodically added because of natural evaporation. The specific costs associated with these expenses are generally set and correlate directly to the size of the aquaponic system.
Aquaponics has the advantage of being low-maintenance due to the absence of soil, weeds, soil pests, or pathogens. Thanks to this, activities such as tilling, cultivating, fertilizer spreading, compost shredding, manure spreading, plowing cover crops in, or irrigating are not needed, thus minimizing the need for labor. Seeding, planting, and some harvesting can be accomplished while working at waist level.
Once you have created a dependable aquaponic setup, it is essential to monitor and manage significant water variables, provide sustenance for the fish, and oversee your crop growth. Although water regulation can aid in plant issues, it is recommended to employ preventive measures to achieve optimal outcomes.
Aquaponics uses only 1/6th of the space needed for traditional farming.
Aquaponics offers a significant advantage over traditional farming and hydroponics by allowing the cultivation of multiple crops in a much smaller area. According to statistics, aquaponic systems can yield up to 6 times more vegetables than traditional farming.
Growing just one crop is possible in a hydroponic setup, since specific nutrient levels must be maintained for each specific crop and it’s tough to use those same nutrients on other plants. Conversely, in an aquaponic system, the circulating water is compatible with any crop since it doesn’t contain any additives or chemicals, plus the plants are only absorbing what they need.
Regarding aquaponic systems that measure around 100 sqm, typically about 30 sqm is dedicated to fish tanks and filters, leaving the remaining space for the growth of organic and healthy foods. However, even in aquaponic systems measuring up to 500 sqm for crop production, the amount of space required for tanks and filters remains consistent. The larger the aquaponic system, the greater the possibilities for its profitability.
During the previous season, we utilized the Dutch bucket system for cultivating tomatoes. Although we had three tomato plants per bucket, we do not suggest this approach for everyone. Despite this, our greenhouse of 100 sqm yielded nearly 4,000kg of tomatoes last season with this three-plant-per-bucket system.
Classical farming uses 10 times more water than aquaponics.
In traditional farming, watering plants results in significant water usage due to a significant portion of it being lost through evaporation or seeping deep into the ground.
Aquaponic farming consumes significantly less water, up to 90%, compared to conventional farming since there is no wastage of water. Water is constantly reused in the system, circulating between the plants and fish tanks. The sole usage of water is the amount absorbed by the plants. Any loss in water due to evaporation from the fish tank is negligible.
In contrast to hydroponic setups, aquaponics requires minimal water changes. Rather, the system only requires infrequent additions of water to compensate for evaporation and plant absorption.
The water in the aquaponic system is reusable, and the only additional water needed is the amount absorbed by plants and lost through circulation evaporation.
For commercial purposes, aquaponic systems can be effortlessly scaled up.
With an aquaponics system, you can create nutritious organic food and fish for personal consumption, as well as utilize it on a larger scale for commercial purposes. This enables you to market and profit from the sale of wholesome organic vegetables and fish, establishing a prosperous enterprise.
When surface and water resources are limited, aquaponic systems can be highly productive.
Despite the initial investments needed for aquaponic systems, they remain highly effective in cultivating organic food on a commercial scale due to their sustainability and economical maintenance.
The expenses of the aquaponic system have a direct impact on your profitability and break-even point, making it crucial to devise cost-saving measures during the initial investment stage. Nevertheless, the utilization of aquaponic systems can result in significant savings of resources such as money, water, energy, and other valuable inputs.
Before commercializing any product, it is crucial to conduct a thorough market analysis. Although aquaponic systems offer superior crop yield per square meter and produce premium-quality organic goods compared to hydroponic systems and conventional farming, this principle holds true for all businesses.
Investing money in developing profitable products that can be easily sold in the local market is the way forward. The selection of the most profitable products may not always be the wisest choice; therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the market’s demand and distribution potential. It is recommended to sell products in the local market to save transport costs while also promoting eco-friendliness. The approach offers an added benefit to local customers by providing them with fresh products all the time.
You could sell your organic aquaponic products:
- At your farm or facility
- On farmers market
- To restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Through community-supported agriculture initiatives
- To institutional buyers
- To other producers
- Via wholesale
- On a roadside stand
Be aware of where your food comes from.
By growing your own food, you acquire the added advantage of being well-informed about the location and method of cultivation. You have the freedom to choose the type of plants and fish you desire to nurture.
Aquaponics is compatible with a variety of easy-to-grow plant species, such as herbs, leafy vegetables, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes.
Your selection of fish for your tank will rely on whether you intend to cultivate fish for consumption or keep ornamental freshwater fish. Tilapia is the most popular alternative for those who desire to breed fish for consumption.
Lessens the distance that food travels.
The local food movement is gaining momentum as an increasing number of people raise concerns about the carbon footprint associated with food transportation and begin questioning the origin of their food.
The majority of the food sold in supermarkets has been transported for a significant distance. It is probable that the food was cultivated in a location hundreds or possibly thousands of miles away before being flown to the nearby region.
By utilizing an aquaponics setup, you have the ability to obtain your fish and plant seeds from a reliable supplier and cultivate your own nourishment directly in your backyard.
There are no chemicals used.
Using chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, or pesticides is not an option when growing food in an aquaponics system, which is a significant advantage.
Adding any substance to this setup that could harm the live fish would have detrimental effects, most likely resulting in the demise of not only the fish but the entire system as well.
This makes the system to be one of the most authentic and innate methods for cultivating food.
A food source that is sustainable.
There are several reasons why this approach to agriculture is sustainable. It requires less water compared to other methods as it is capable of reusing the water repeatedly. Additionally, this method doesn’t rely on soil, making it adaptable to areas with infertile soil and scarce water resources.
The fish provide all the necessary nutrients for the plants, thereby making it a wholly natural method of fertilization. This approach replicates the natural ecosystem, resulting in the organic cultivation of plants and the production of superior-quality food.
Hardly any waste is produced through this approach. The solids that remain in the fish tanks can serve as organic fertilizers for plants grown in soil, or they can be included in the compost heap. Any plants that were not harvested or were damaged can be given to the fish or added to the compost.
Other agricultural methods are more time-consuming compared to this one.
Aquaponics can be a fantastic alternative for those who have desired to cultivate their crops but have been deterred by the idea of it being too time-consuming.
A self-sustaining aquaponics set-up does not require any effort beyond feeding the fish on a daily basis; the plants do not need to be watered or the soil turned.
Conclusion
Aquaponics presents a superior solution to the obstacles posed by conventional farming and hydroponics, as organic food gains popularity globally, and the soil becomes increasingly polluted with pesticides and fertilizers.
Although the list is not exhaustive, there are numerous advantages to aquaponics that make it a viable option for producing wholesome food for your household or creating a lucrative enterprise.
We anticipate a growing number of individuals taking up aquaponics due to these factors and observing global patterns.
