What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system.

Fish

Fish produce waste, which provides a food source for the plants. The plants in turn filter the water for the fish.

Microbes (nitrifying bacteria)

Microbes convert ammonia from the fish waste first into nitrites, and then into nitrates.
Nitrates are the form of nitrogen that plants can uptake and use to grow. Solid fish waste is turned into vermicompost that also acts as food for the plants.

Plants

Plants grow in the nutrient rich water either on rafts or surrounded by clay pellets. The plants filter the water so that it can go back into the fish tanks..