Aquaponics is a mix of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system.
The fish waste provides an organic food source for growing the plants, and the plants provide a natural filter, cleaning the water, for the fish live in.
The third team-members are the microbes (nitrifying bacteria) and composting red worms that thrive in the growing media. They do the job of converting the ammonia from the fish waste into nitrites, and then into nitrates that are food for the plants.
There are several drawbacks to normal gardening:-
Firstly, the weeds.
The copious amounts of water required throughout the growing season.
The pests, and diseases that can be found in most garden soils.The back-breaking labour.
Digging, weeding, raking etc.
Understanding basic soil science.
Knowing when to water and feed.
The space required for raising vegetables.
Crop rotation.
Finally, garden enemies since almost the dawn of time...... Slugs and snails!!!
So, what are the benefits of Aquaponics?
Firstly, aquaponics works by taking the vegetable garden off of the floor, in other words, we grow in raised beds. End of backache.
Re-cycles fish "waste".
100% Bio. You can't add pesticides or fungicides as that would kill the fish, forcing you to grow biologically. This is better for all of us.
You only need the water from your "fish tank", meaning only using around 10% of the normal volume of water needed for soil-based growing. (Imagine the savings if your water use is metered.)
You can't get the watering, or fertilizing wrong.
No soil-borne pests, or diseases.
No crop rotation, so no need to plan your vegetable plot year after year.
