Aquaponics and hydroponics technologies have advanced within the last three decades. Despite the fact that the farming methods have much in common and benefit each other, there are distinct differences between the two.
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in sand, gravel or liquid with added nutrients but without soil. The term itself literally means “water working.” Some farmers around the world have also grown plants hydroponically using mineral wool, perlite, and coconut husks. Plant roots are soaked in mineral nutrient solutions and water for growth. Soil itself is not essential for plant growth, inorganic ions from water are. Necessary minerals and nutrients are fed directly to the plant’s roots in hydroponic systems; the system is ideal as water and nutrient ratios are controlled for optimum growing conditions.
Plants are grown hydroponically in controlled greenhouse environments. The system expands the farmer’s ability to grow premium quality produce using minimal space, water and fertilizer. Soil is not necessary as it is simply the housing unit of the nutrients. Nelson and Pade explain, “By eliminating the soil, you eliminate soil borne disease and weeds and gain precise control over the plant’s nutritional diet.” An advantage to hydroponic produce additionally consists of an extended growing season and intensive production in a small area.
Aquaponics is essentially aquaculture integrating hydroponics, and viewed as the future of home gardening and commercial fresh food production. The system symbiotically benefits both environments (water and land). Chemical-free, aquaponics uses a mere ten percent of the water needed for field plant production. According to Aquaponics, the system only requires a fraction of the water that is used for fish culture. “The waste from fish tanks is treated with natural bacteria that converts the waste, largely ammonia, first to nitrite and then to nitrate. The fish waste absorbed by plants is pumped to a bio-filter system as a nutrient solution for the growing plants.” The water is recycled throughout the process. Fish waste provides a food source for growing plants. In return, plants provide a natural filter for the fish.
This sustainable growth of food method helps produce fresh vegetables and fish protein—working to eliminate toxicity to fish. Aquaponics is an ideal answer to fish farming issues.
Freshwater fish are the most popular animal being raised via aquaponics. Aquaponics is the method of growing crops and fish together in re-circulating systems, growingpower.org explains. Aquaponics farms raise popularly consumed fish such as the yellow perch, which is in short supply, and tilapia. In hydroponics farming, plants are isolated and controlled, usually securing roots in PVC pipes; in aquaponics farming, fish and vegetation share the same tank or container.
Although aquaponics production and research is in its infancy, it may be beneficial for hydroponic farmers to incorporate aquaponics. Integrating the two can eliminate cost and labor involved in mixing a fertilizer solution and reducing filtration needs, according to Nelson and Pade. There are “50,000 acres in hydroponic production around the world, about 1,200 of those are in the US.” Most hydroponic initiatives in the United States are family or small business operated, and selling locally. The most common crops include: tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and herbs.
To learn more about the differences (and similarities) of aquaponics and hydroponics farming visit Learn Aquaponics.
