Aquaponics Introduction

Aquaponics

What is aquaponics?• A system that grows fish and plants together

Items Needed1. Fish Tank2. Grow Bed

3. Water Pump4. Aerator5. Tubing

What do plants and fish need to live?

Plants• Light• Water• Carbon

Dioxide• Nitrates

(nutrients)

Fish• Food• Clean Water• Oxygen

What do plants make?

• Oxygen and Sugars through photosynthesis

• Clean Water

What do fish make?

• Waste in the form of ammonia

• Carbon dioxide through respiration

Carbon Cycle

Basic Carbon Cycle in Aquaponics• 1. Plants take in carbon dioxide• Plants produce oxygen, and sugars (plant

biomass) through photosynthesis• 2. Fish consume sugars and breath in oxygen• Fish produce carbon dioxide through respiration • Complete!

Nitrogen Cycle• How does ammonia

turn into nitrates?

The Nitrogen Cycle

Fish and Plant Nitrogen Cycle

• 1. Fish eat food • 2. Waste is rich in ammonia NH4• 3. Ammonia converted to Nitrite NO2 by nitrosonomas

• 4. Nitrite converted to Nitrates NO3 by nitrospira• 5. Nitrates used by plants a nutrients • 6. Plant material eaten by fish• * Dead plant and animal material decomposes

and releases ammonia also

Nitrogen Cycle in

Aquaponics

How it works

Aquaponic Benefits

• Symbiotic relationship between plants and fish (both thrive due to one another)

• Reduction in waste (polluted fish water is used)• 90% REDUCTION in water use vs. conventional

farming techniques• Minimal need for land• Supports Locavorism (reduces GHG emissions)• Produces an organic food source

Disadvantages to aquaponics

• High start up costs• Systems are not one size fits• Needs constant monitoring• May not be aesthetically pleasing in your

living room• Difficult to find fish

History of Aquaponics

Thoughts… Questions

• Is aquaponics a solution for our health problems?

Items to know for your quiz• What is aquaponics?• How does aquaponics work?• What types of fish can you raise?• What types of vegetables can you raise?• How do plants and fish live symbiotically in regards

to the carbon and nitrogen cycles?• What is the nitrogen cycle and how does it work?• What are the pros and cons of aquaponics?• What ancient citizens utilized aquaponics and how?• What is Sweetwater organics and what do they do?