What is aquaponics?

OK, from the start I can tell you aquaponics isn’t related to aquabike, aquagym or any other Sunday morning aquatic activities.

So forget about ponies in the swimming pool, please!

Aquaponics is a revolutionary system of production combining aquaculture and hydroponics. Essentially that means fish are raised and plants are cultivated in the same symbiotic environment. It’s a 100% eco-friendly environment where everything is reused and nothing is lost!

In this day and age, one in three fish come from aquaculture which effectively means they are farmed. In aquaponic systems, food is given to the fish being raised, who then produce ammonia through their excretions.

Bacteria have an essential role to play in aquaponics, by breaking down ammonia and urea from the dirty water into nitrates. The water is then pumped into a container acting as a hydroponic subsystem, where the plants can benefit for nourishment.

With all potentially harmful substances having been removed, the purified water is then pumped back into the rearing tanks, without presenting any danger to the fish.

The containers simply play the role of a filter, in a totally virtuous ecosystem. It’s organic, natural and sustainable!

Aquaponic systems are raised to an accessible height, meaning you can do gardening at home without hurting your back. They pretty much manage themselves too!

The only water loss you get in aquaponics is from absorption by plants and evaporation. There’s no waste either as you can use sludge from the filtering process to fertilise your land plants.

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