Aquaponics utilizes the nitrogen cycle to pair aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants in liquid nutrients instead of soil) together.   Hydroponics alone requires costly nutrients in order to produce its lush crop and aquaculture can often negatively affect the environment by producing vast amounts of nutrient rich water runoff, which causes harmful algae blooms. However, by fusing aquaculture and hydroponics together, many of the individual problems of each are eliminated.

The nitrogen cycle is present in a natural ecosystem, which an aquaponic system mimics. Fish create waste, which is then converted by beneficial bacteria into nutrients which in turn fertilize and feed harvestable plants.  After the plants have absorbed these nutrients, the water is then clean for the fish to live in.  All of this can occur in a closed system, which greatly reduces environmental pollution, while allowing you to have great control of your crop.  

Aquaponics System Setup

There are many different kinds of aquaponics systems, and the systems are very customizable. What is generally needed is a strong tank for the fish and growing troughs for plants.  A water pump and PVC pipes are needed to move water around and an air pump adds oxygen to the system to keep the nitrifying bacteria healthy so the plants can absorb the nutrients.  Some systems add solid waste tanks for extra filtration and a sump tank after the plant troughs.  There are two main different kinds of plant troughs. Gravel-bed aquaponics has stones or clay pellets in the troughs and water is pumped through the plant roots multiple times a day.  Raft aquaponics have the plants floating on top of the water with water continually flowing through the troughs and roots. More research needs to be done to determine which method provides a higher yield. Bella Vita Aquaponics currently uses a raft system, but plans to develop media based systems in the future in order to test productivity. 

A variety of freshwater fish species are used: tilapia, baramundi, goldfish,catfish and many others. Tilapia is the most common due to its hardiness, omnivorous diet, good taste, and that it already has a worldwide distribution. 

Almost any type of plants can be used in the system, however it is better to start with leafy greens like lettuce and basil and gradually work up to fruit bearing plants like tomatoes and strawberries.