Shaan Stevens -Aquaponics

Shaan Stevens -Aquaponics

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raisingaquatic animals such as fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. The term aquaponics is a portmanteau of the terms aquaculture and hydroponic.
Aquaponic systems vary in size from small indoor or outdoor units to large commercial units, using the same technology. The systems usually contain fresh water, but salt water systems are plausible depending on the type of aquatic animal and vegetation.[citation needed]Aquaponic science may still be considered to be at an early stage.


Aquaponics consists of two main parts with the aquaculture part for raising aquatic animals and the hydroponics part for growing plants.[1][2]Aquatic effluents resulting from uneaten feed or raising animals like fish accumulates in water due to the closed system recirculation of most aquaculture systems. The effluent-rich water becomes toxic to the aquatic animal in high concentrations but these effluents are nutrients essential for plant growth.[1] Although consisting primarily of these two parts, aquaponics system are usually grouped into several components or subsystems for the effective removal of solid wastes, the addition of bases to neutralize acids, and to maintain water oxygenation.[1] They include the:
 Rearing tank: The tanks for raising and feeding the fish;
 Solids removal: A unit for catching uneaten food and detached biofilms, and for settling out fine particulates;
 Biofilter: A place where the nitrification bacteria can grow and convert ammonia into nitrates, which are usable by t

Categories: news-tv

Tags: stevens, shaan