DE LEON, ILAO, MACARANAS, MEDIARITO, RAMIREZ, ZOLETA (BSA IV) “AQUAPONICS”

I. AQUAPONICS

Aquaponics is a sustainable method of raising both fish and vegetables. It is popular with
individuals, entrepreneurs, educators, missions and governments. Furthermore, with this type of
indoor farming, you grow substantially more food with less water, land and labor than traditional
agriculture.
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic
animals, and hydroponics which is growing plants without soil. Aquaponics uses these two in a
symbiotic combination in which plants are fed the aquatic animals’ discharge or waste.
In return, the vegetables clean the water that goes back to the fish. Along with the fish and
their waste, microbes play an important role to the nutrition of the plants. These beneficial bacteria
gather in the spaces between the roots of the plant and convert the fish waste and the solids into
substances the plants can use to grow. The result is a perfect collaboration between aquaculture
and gardening.
Aquaponics is a big hope for sustainable organic crop production, aquaculture and water
consumption. The fish waste is recycled and used for plant growth instead of throwing it in the
ocean. The water recirculates in a closed system lowering the consumption of this resource.

II. NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE

Aquaponics is a completely natural process that mimics all lakes, ponds, rivers and
waterways on Earth. The only input into an aquaponics system is fish food. The fish eat the food
and excrete waste, which is converted by beneficial bacteria to nutrients that the plants can use. In
consuming these nutrients, the plants help to purify the water. You cannot use herbicides,
pesticides or other harsh chemicals in an aquaponics system, making the fish and plants healthful
and safe to eat.

III. IMPORTANCE OF PH CONTROL IN AQUAPONICS

pH is an important part of aquaculture. Setting it to a perfect level can be a bit confusing

since there are three living organisms to care for: your plants, your fish, and the bacteria inside the
water and each of them has a different pH need. A neutral pH from 6.8 to 7.2 is good for the
aquaponic garden. Because of the fish waste, the pH will become acidic and you will need to use
aquaponic compatible pH adjusters. If the pH level is not beneficial for the system that is too low or
too high, the plants will not be able to absorb nutrients optimally and your fish will die eventually.
It’s very important to monitor the pH level each day and to keep it within the neutral range.
A too alkaline or too acidic pH is one of the main reasons fish or plants die, leading to
gardening failure. The pH adjusters need to be specially designed for this type of growing system,
otherwise, they could harm the fish. You can find these adjusters in a local aquaponic gardening
supplier. Another thing to keep in mind is the water hardness because it affects how pH will behave
when trying to adjust it. Sometimes it would be necessary to also take care of the water hardness
DE LEON, ILAO, MACARANAS, MEDIARITO, RAMIREZ, ZOLETA (BSA IV) “AQUAPONICS”

when working the pH. Fish don’t like sudden changes in pH, so when adjusting it try to lower or
increase it slowly.

IV. FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC ANIMALS YOU CAN GROW IN AQUAPONICS:

Fish are the ones feeding your plants. The fish used in this type of aquaculture are
freshwater fish, most popular being tilapia and barramundi because they tolerate better diverse
water conditions and they grow fast. Trout can also be used especially for lower water
temperatures. Other aquatic animals you can grow are snails and shrimps. You can feed the fish
special food you can purchase in an animal store or other foods like water lettuce and duckweed.

V. WHAT VEGETABLES YOU CAN GROW IN AQUAPONICS:

In a small aquaponic based garden you can grow vegetables that don’t need heavy nutrient
input. Lettuce, kale, watercress, arugula, decorative flowers, mint, herbs, okras, spring onions and
leek, radishes, spinach and other small vegetables. Cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, broccoli
and cauliflower can require more nutrition and a well-stocked or more advanced aquaponic system.
Avoid growing plants that need acidic or alkaline water, because those levels of pH can definitely
harm the fish.

VI. BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS:

1. Aquaponics is a way to grow your own fish and vegetables at the same time. You feed the
fish and the fish will feed your plants through their waste output.
2. There is no need to use fertilizers because the fish provide rich nutrients for the plants.
3. In aquaponics, less water is used for the crops. Research has shown that aquaponic
gardens use 1/10th of the water you would use for soil garden.
4. Regular gardening pesticides or other chemicals can’t be used because they would harm
the fish.
5. This results in healthier and organic vegetables.
6. You won’t experience any soil borne diseases in aquaponics because there is no soil.
7. You can grow plants in very small space, and have a great harvest.
8. Plants grow fast because they get very nutritious substances from the fish waste.
9. Plants and fish production can be done in a controlled temperature environment.
10. Water is used in a closed system and circulated effectively, reducing the consumption and
the water bills.

VII. REFERENCES

https://aquaponics.com/aquaponics-information/
https://permaculturenews.org/2016/05/30/what-is-aquaponics-and-how-does-it-work/