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Aquaponics Introduction
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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?