Wednesday, September 19, 2012

An Insight To Aquaponics Systems - A New Way To Produce Food

By Sheilla May


The popularity of aquaponic systems for food production is booming. The meaning of this scientific innovation can be easily understood by your understanding of aquaculture and hydroponics. Hydroponic pertains to plants and aquaculture represents water. The aquaponic systems combine the raising of aquatic animals in tanks while growing plants within the same venues.

How Aquaponics Systems Work

First, the environment where both the plants and water creatures grow is symbiotic in nature. This means that the plants and the animals work together in a man-made vessel. In the process of aquaculture, the formation of effluents in the water is inevitable. This type of gas or water wastes will be damaging to every fish in the tank; the environment will be toxic. The water must be pushed to the hydroponic systems so that the plants can filter the nutrients. The water being cleansed is used by the aquatic animals.

The aquaponic systems are easy to fathom. The systems are merely composed of two parts however there are several components in the systems which will function for the removing of waste materials on the environment. These components neutralize the acids for the oxygenation of the water in the tanks.

Components

There are 5 typical components in the aquaponics systems. First, you'll need a rearing tank where you raise and feed the fish. Another part will be the biofilter which is a place where the nitrification bacteria grow; the bacteria convert the ammonia into nitrates which can be nutrients for your plants. Another component is the solids removal which catches the uneaten foods.

The other component is the hydroponics and hydroponics kits, the portion in which the plants are grown. This is also the part where the nutrients from the water are discharged to be used for the growing plants. Then there is the pump whose function is to pump the water in and out or the rearing tanks.

Why Resort Using Such System

You might end up asking for the utility of the aquaponic systems. Wouldn't it be great if you can produce in your home organic vegetables and fish?

Such system can be established anywhere in your home or backyard. You just have to establish the rearing tanks together with the other four necessary components. It is possible to fill in the tanks with either salt or fresh water, depending on the kinds of aquatic animals and plants you propose to put into it. Besides fish, you may also raise prawns and crayfish in the system. With a bigger tank, you can grow more fishes, vegetables and fruits in the systems - all together producing good quality and quantity.

This new method of food production may still be new, not really being implemented yet in many homes. However, with enough knowledge you can start setting up one, initially as a family activity. The kids is going to be happy in seeing how the aquatic animals and plants grow in the water through the aquaponic systems. And with the success of the process, there's no doubt that today many entrepreneurs had begun to explore a good agri-business using the aquaponic systems. This could be a good way to augment family income.




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