What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics system

How Fish and Plants Work Together

Have you ever wondered how both fish and plants live in the same ecosystem and thrive in nature? In summary, this is possible due to the symbiotic nature of their nutrient needs and subsequent balances. In Aquaponics this is also the case. An Aquaponics system consists of two main growth tanks, one for fish and the other for plants. The fish are raised in tanks that recirculate water which ensures they have an environment free of toxins. This system is called a recirculating aquaculture system. The plants grow in a water tray without soil. These plants will receive their nutrients from the fish wastewater in the tray. When plants are grown this way, in nutrient rich water without soil, it is called hydroponics. When recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics come together it creates aquaponics.

In aquaponics you can have a coupled or a decoupled system. A coupled system is shown in our graphic depicted above. A coupled is a system where the water is continuously flowing from the fish tank to the plant tray. There is also a decoupled system, which as implied, does not have the fish tank and plant tray connected. Instead, a decoupled system has the two systems separated, adding the fish wastewater to the tray in intervals rather than continuously.

When growing plants in an aquaponics system there are three main methods. The nutrient film technique (NFT), media beds and deep-water culture (DWC). The nutrient film technique utilizes pipes, also referred to as gutters, to grow plants. These pipes have a shallow flow of water running through them with holes in the top to place the plants in. In this system the roots will be in contact with the channel of water flowing through the pipe. A media bed is a method that uses expanded shale. The shale is placed into the plant tray while water fills the rest. The shale is sturdy enough to hold the plants in place but allows for circulation of the water. The final method is deep water culture. This is the method the BiG project uses. In deep water culture the tray is filled with wastewater and styrofoam boards are used keep the plants afloat above the water. There are holes in the board and planting plugs are used to plant the seeds.