Aquaponics is probably the most well-loved and sustainable way to produce fresh vegetables and fruits and, at the same time, sustain a freshwater fish system.
Aquaponics improves upon existing closed freshwater fish systems while eliminating common disadvantages of more traditional vegetable gardens. This technique permits you to “hit two birds with one stone”; while fish will thrive in the closed freshwater system, they will produce nutrients needed by plants.
The plants, on the other hand, will benefit from the waste products produced by the fish. As the plants feed on the nutritious soup within the system, the plants filter and clean the water, too.
This approach is so sustainable that many aquaponic aficionados around the country have already experienced great success. They have created sustainable aquaponic systems that regularly produce organic vegetables and tasty, clean fish.
Aquaponics is usually defined as a hybrid of two existing methods: aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the process of raising fish in closed systems. Hydroponics, on the other hand, endeavors to produce fresh fruits and vegetables using water alone — with no soil to speak of. When you combine these two older systems, you get aquaponics.
Now why would anyone be interested in aquaponics anyway? Here are some of the main advantages: (1) Aquaponics does not require a lot of space. (2) You will end up harvesting both fish and vegetables (or fruits, if you prefer). (3) It’s relatively easy to set up your own aquaponic system. (4) It is not expensive at all to create and maintain an aquaponic system. (5) Aquaponic systems are expandable. As you continue to master the process, you can add sections to your existing system to increase your yield/harvest. (6) You can find aquaponics practitioners around the country. You’ll be able to reach out to people with identical interests and learn from them when you are just starting out.
Aquaponic systems can be scaled up or scaled down, depending on your personal production needs. A small aquaponic system can produce up to fifty kilograms of fresh fish such as tilapia every six months and let’s not forget the one hundred kilograms of vegetable yield!
You can sell organic vegetables, fruits, and fish if you prefer to do so. That will encompass expanding your operation to produce an elevated target harvest. Obviously, you’ll require more space and a more powerful water pumping system, but these are just one-time requirements of the system.
Once you have the system in place, that’s it. All you have to do at that point in time is to maintain the system so all your plants and fish grow well. A copious harvest from an aquaponics system means that the system is clean and enough attention has been given to it on a day-to-day basis.
Remember that no one is too old or too inexperienced to endeavor into their own aquaponics system. If the need to be autonomous is there and you have the enthusiasm to get things done, aquaponics is undeniably right for you!
With aquaponics you can effortlessly grow your own produce and raise your own fish for nourishment, decoration or for profit. And, it can also be a great hobby.
