Even though aquaponics is increasing in popularity, there are still some who doubt its potential. This may be because the concept is still new and unfamiliar. However, once you learn about its benefits and advantages, you will definitely want to become an aquaponic grower right away!
It’s all natural. Aquaponics is based on the natural relationship between fish and plants. Today, this symbiotic relationship can be replicated in your very own household!
The truth is, even organic farms need to use fertilizer, which can be bad for the soil’s health. With aquaponics, even the tiniest amount of pesticide or chemicals can kill your fish, therefore destroying the cycle of the system.
It is easy to set up! Of course this also depends on how big you want your aquaponic system to be and where you want it to be. Some people even build greenhouses, but you can also find step-by-step guides on how to build a low-cost greenhouse.
If you are interested to be an aquaponic grower, you can easily find affordable D-I-Y kits for your own aquaponic system.
It solves the problems of waste water reduction. For aquaculture farmers, this has been a problem for some time already. Since waste water is a major byproduct, it needs proper disposal permits and processes.
With aquaponics, the solution is the closed design of the system. The waste water from the fish goes through a natural filtration system wherein ammonia is converted to nitrite. The nitrite is then converted to nitrate, and this is what the plants feed on.
The cycle goes on. The problems related to proper disposal of wastewater is answered by the natural relationship between the plants and the fish in the system.
Aquaponics is good for your health. You can easily get fresh fish or vegetables for your family to eat. The produce tastes better because it no longer needs to be stored for long periods for transportation. Fish also do not have any injected growth hormones and the plants do not have antibiotics.
Since fish are cold blooded, there is also no risk of E.coli and salmonella. Producing your own food gives you more assurance of food safety and security.
It is also convenient. Aquaponics does not need intense labor unlike traditional farming. You don’t need to strain your back because the plants do not grow on the ground anyway. You don’t need to water them and you don’t need to do regular weeding and pest control.
Once you have finished setting up, you just need to plant and wait for harvesting. Just sit back and relax. Let the fish and plants do the work by doing what is natural for them.
Plants grow faster in aquaponic systems. This is because the system makes it possible for the plants to have access to nutrients for 24 hours. Lettuce, for example, takes about two months to mature when grown in soil, but only takes about a month when grown using an aquaponic system.
It is also space saving and cost efficient. With aquaponics, you can place the plants closer to each other. You also do not need a big lot or space to start your own system — it can be indoors or outdoors. In fact, some beginners begin by using their already-existing aquariums!
Compared to hydroponics, it is also cheaper. Hydroponics requires expensive nutrient solutions, while the fish in aquaponics can be fed worms.
Producing your own food can also save a lot of money because you no longer need to buy fish or vegetables from other sources. Aside from these, you also don’t need to allot a budget for fertilizer and other labor costs.
Aquaponics can provide additional income. If you are an aquaponic grower, your food production will definitely increase. Aside from consumption, you can also sell the vegetables and even the fish at your own price.
Some big aquaponic systems also earn income because they are being used as local tourist attractions.
Aquaponics is good for the environment! Since water and nutrients are recycled through the system, aquaponics conserves a lot of water; around 90%, compared to traditional farming. The recirculating process also means that you don’t have to water the plants anymore.
In traditional farming, growing one head of lettuce might need 20-24 gallons of water. Using aquaponics, you can actually grow it using only two to four gallons of water.
Aquaponics also helps conserve energy because it uses less compared to commercial farming. Since the energy used in aquaponics is electrical, you can explore alternatives such as solar or hydroelectric.
With all these benefits and advantages, it is easy to see why aquaponic growing has grown in popularity. Now that you know what aquaponics can do for you and the environment, why not start building your own system right now?
