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Mitchell Barker

English IV Capstone Project

Mrs. Wilson

4/27/18

The Future of Farming

Thesis: Aquaponics is far more effective and prosperous than traditional aquaculture and

hydroponics, because each aids one another in stability and production.

I. What is Aquaponics

II. History of Aquaponics

III. General Information about the practices of Aquaculture and Hydroponics

IV. Benefits of combining the two different practices through aquaculture

V. Aquaponics

A. Safer for animals and pets

B. Creates more food stability

C. Resistance to natural harms to crops

VI. Abilities of Aquaponics

A. Can be scaled to be effective in multi-million dollar operations all the way to backyard

family operation

B. How aquaponics gets food to the tables of families fresher

C. No land is used in aquaponics

VII. Cost saving benefits of aquaponics, no fertilizer cost and less tank maintenance

VIII. Common practices of aquaponics, common species involved and growing scenarios
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IX. How aquaponics can help those in undeveloped countries

X. How plants are grown in an aquaponic environment

XI. Conclusion of thoughts

The Future of Farming

In a world of billions, there is an unspoken hunt to find better ways to feed this large and

ever growing population. Aquaponics is an uprising way to produce food by combining

traditional aquaculture and hydroponics; it is a revolutionary method of farming. Hydroponics

and aquaculture both produce harmful trash as a side effect, but these two farming techniques,

when combined, counteract the bad chemicals and convert them into benefits. Aquaponics is far

more effective and prosperous than traditional fish farming and hydroponics because each aids

one another in stability and production.

Growing plants and fish have been around for decades, but the practice of combining the

two is new to the farming world. Aquaponics is the practice of combining aquaculture and

hydroponics in a controlled environment. The process of combining the two has been around

since ancient villages began to grow plants in small bodies of water such as rice farms in Asia or

chinampas in Mexico (“Aquaponics: a Brief History”). At the time of the settlers, their growing

processes were in a pond or lake like setting in which the plants didn't grow directly into the

water which took away the benefits of combining the two. The benefits of aquaponics wasn't

discovered until the past few decades, and since, the practice has grown exponentially. Fish

waste provides nutrients for plants which then filter the water while utilizing the nutrients

(“What Is Aquaponics”). Aquaponics not only eliminates the drawbacks of each other, it also

significantly reduces the drawbacks of traditional soil farming. With aquaponics, there are no

weeds or soil-borne illnesses to battle, a significant decrease in pesticide and fertilizer use, and

no physical strain of planting. One of the biggest advantages of aquaponics is the ability to grow

food in urban environments, so the food gets to markets and the tables of families much sooner.

Aquaculture is the practice of growing aquatic animals in a controlled environment for

food production. Fish farming can be conducted in many different ways including the cage
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system, man made outdoor pond, or indoor tanks, which is the most complex and costly (“Fish

Farms”). Similarly, hydroponics is the process of growing plants in a soilless controlled

environment. When conducted properly, hydroponics can be even more efficient than traditional

farming and requires no cultivation of land preparation. Hydroponics is very versatile because it

can be applied in a variety of settings which makes it so useful in the farming industry. Many

companies have seen the potential of hydroponics and have set up greenhouses with a

hydroponic system capable of growing millions of plants a one time. Many people living in the

city set up hydroponics in their basement to give them the opportunity to grow plants despite

having a lack of soil space. When growing plants in water, they have to be supplied with

nutrients that can be normally found in the soil, which is one downfall to hydroponics. Plant

supetance is another problem, because there is a limited number of plants that can prosper in an

all water environment. When plants and fish are combined into the same growing system, fish

produce natural fertilizers in their feces, which is the food plants need to prosper. The fish

growing tanks must be cleaned to avoid a build up feces, when not combined with hydroponics

system, to maintain a healthy environment for the fish. When there is a proper balance of fish to

plants, the two balance each other out; the plants will naturally use the fish fertilizer which acts

to purify the water all while growing using a natural organic fertilizer.

One of the key contributors in aquaponics are microbes, which are nitrifying bacteria,

that convert ammonia from fish waste into nitrites and then nitrates (“What Is Aquaponics”).

Plants absorb nitrogen in the the form of nitrates, which makes these microbes so important.

Nitrogen is vital to plants because it is a major component of chlorophyll, in which plants use

sunlight energy and convert it into energy in the form of sugars. Just like humans, plants need

proteins to survive, which is another reason nitrogen is so important. Nitrogen makes up

proteins which without them plants would wither and die. Solid fish waste is turned into

vermicompost, and this is used as food by the plant (“What Is Aquaponics”). In just the

traditional hydroponics system, growers must purchase expensive fertilizers that can be applied

to the plants, but when combined with plants, growers can avoid this costly procedure. When

conducting only an aquaculture system, water must be discharged at a rate of 10-20 percent of

the total tank volume daily, due to the high amount of ammonia which is a result of fish feces

(“What Is Aquaponics”). This uses a lot of water to maintain the tanks especially in facilities

where there is thousands and thousands of gallons used everyday. In a properly set up

aquaculture setup, there is little cleaning or emptying required, because the plants help to purify

and clean the tank. Aquaponics is proven to be more efficient and healthy, not just for the fish

and plants, but also for the environment.

One fact of farming that upsets many is the practice of killing deer and rabbits to keep

them out of fields and gardens, and in many states, the state government will issue permits to

farmers to harvest deer year round in order to reduce crop damage. In an aquaculture system

there is no battle with wildlife, no need to build fences, and no need to kill animals

unnecessarily, which is a huge benefit to ecosystems. Also, insects are very hard on crops and

gardens which leads to many people using pesticides and chemicals to reduce crop damage.

These pesticides are designed to kill, and many times can be dangerous to humans and animals,

especially when family pets have access to fields or gardens. With an aquaponics system there is

no exposure to insects, so the need to spray and use harmful chemicals is non-existent.

Furthermore, when plants are grown outdoors, there is always a risk of a natural event destroying

a years crop. If a large storm came through a region destroying a years worth of crops and

damaging the fields, it would take a significant hit on the community’s economy and could result
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in a price increase for crops. This leads to insecurity and instability in the food market because

it's impossible to know when a storm or cold weather will come through and cause problems

with crop production. When an indoor aquaponics system is in effect, there is no worry of this

because the plants are in a controlled environment and safe from the elements. One of the

biggest benefits is the fact that people can raise not only crops, but also fish at the same time, so

growers are getting more products.

One of the biggest advantages to aquaponics is that it's scalable, so it can be effective in a

backyard or basement environment, but it can also be effective in a large warehouse setting. The

reason plants can grow indoors is due to the grower’s ability to replicate artificial light through

UV lights. These special UV lights can be purchased in a variety of sizes and ordered off the

internet for a highly affordable price. Farmers who grow food on a large scale often live in rural

areas with hundreds and hundreds of acres, which means the grower could be hours and possibly

days from the market where the products will be sold. This means that produce may not be fresh

by the time it hits the market and could get even worse by the time it hits a family’s table. With

aquaponics, the plants can be grown in confined cities where farmland cannot be found. This

allows growers to get food to the markets much fresher and safer because they spend less time

sitting out. For those people who want an even fresher meal they can set up their own small

scale aquaponics system in their basement or garage, and supply their family with fish and

vegetables right from the growing system. According to the Huffington Post, fresh food contains

more nutrients, hydration, healthful fats, and enzymes which is why keeping food fresh is so

crucial. This gives people the ability to grow their own food, and ensure the safety and

freshness, despite the size of their yard. Aquaponics offers people an advantage that has never

before been seen.

Cost is a major factor in the reason aquaponics is taking off at the rate it is. When

growers get to combine fish farming and hydroponics into one system is carries many cost

saving benefits. One of the most expensive aspects of soil farming is the soil upkeep and heavy

equipment that it requires. On large farms, they use equipment that is up to half a million dollars

and may have multiple pieces at this cost. Keeping fuel and maintenance on this equipment can

cost farmers a lot of money and lead to them raising their prices. In a fish farming setup, there is

far less equipment required, but filters and water clarification equipment can still be costly. This

fact is why aquaponics is most economical because with the plants being implemented into the

system, the water clarification is all natural and far cheaper. Fertilizer is another major cost point

of farming; past the initial cost of purchasing the fertilizer, farmers spend days putting it on their

fields. In addition, many people have a problem with the thought of fertilizer on their crops and

feeding their children something that has been grown inorganically. With hydroponics, growers

still have to fertilize the plants and use fertilizers that are not organic. When a grower combines

fish farming in with hydroponics, users get a system that requires no fertilizer or inorganic

method of plant food because the plants use the fish by products to fuel themselves (“What is

Aquaponics?” ). This is one reason that aquaponics is far more effective, safe, and more

economical than hydroponics alone.

Many people are unaware of how effective fish farming can be, and just how many

different fish can be grown in a person’s own backyard. The most common fish species to be

grown are catfish and tilapia, but even fish like salmon can be raised in a fish farming

operation(“What Is Aquaponics”). Many people have set up a small scale aquaponics system as

another income source, and have realized that is a great income source. Many of these growers,

both on small and large scales, have began to realize that adding the plant growing aspect to fish
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farming is much more effective. “According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture

Organization- aquaculture has grown three times faster compared to land based

agriculture”(“Fish Farms”). People all around the world are turning to non traditional methods

of income, which has led to a major increase in aquaponics internationally. Research gathered

by VoucherBin shows more people than ever are turning towards non-traditional income.

“Research by VoucherBin.co.uk suggests that more of us than ever before are seeking additional

income through a home based business - or aiming to give up the 9-5 schedule for good”

(“Aquaponics: a Brief History”). Many fear that raising plants will be to difficult or costly, but

in reality plants in an aquaponics system are extremely low maintenance. This is thanks to no

weeds or insects to battle, unlike a soil based growing environment. When growing plants in an

aquaponic environment, there's no reason to worry about fertilizer because the plants feed

themselves using the fish by products. When set up correctly aquaponics has the potential to be

extremely beneficial to the environment and change the way we farm forever.

Many people try to help third world countries by giving them wells to water their crops

and animals. While watering crops, lots of water will be wasted, and plants will need a large

supply of water to survive especially in hot climates such as those in much of Africa. When

raising animals it takes many to feed a family and a farm animal, such as a cow needs gallons of

water daily to survive. Aquaponics would be hard to run in a community with low water supply

because circulating fresh water in daily would be impossible. Fish would be a great way to

supply food because communities can save water from not watering livestock, and the fish

supply a great diet for people. If people in these undeveloped nations can grow plants in an

aquaponic setup, then they will not have to recirculate the water because the plants will act as a

natural cleaner. Another benefit to growing plants in an aquaponic setup it that they can save
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water from watering crops because there is no wasted water in aquaponics, since the plants grow

directly in the water. This water from the fish tank has natural plant food in the form of nitrogen

rich fish feces which aids significantly in plant growth. This natural fertilizer is important

because when conducting normal soil based agriculture, these growers would not be able to

afford fertilizer. Even in a hydroponic growing set up, the plants would need fertilizer to grow,

so this is another example of why aquaponics is far more efficient and beneficial. Many

developing countries have already turned towards aquaponics such as the Island of Barbados.

“The Caribbean island of Barbados created an initiative to start aquaponics systems at home,

with revenue generated by selling produce to tourists in an effort to reduce growing dependence

on imported food.” (“Aquaponics: a Brief History”).

Many don't understand the how farmers grow and raise plants in the same environment

and how it works. Despite what many think, growing the two together is not a challenge and

actually helps the grower. One of the many benefits of aquaponics is its versatility and ability to

be instituted in a variety of sizes. Some backyard growers will raise fish in just a small watering

trough of a 100 gallons, which works just fine, and some industrial growers have tanks that are

capable of holding thousands of gallons. Tank size is not important as long as the grower

determines the proper proportion of fish to plants, so that the grower can yield the full benefits of

the combination. Plants can be set up in a variety of ways around the tank to allow constant

water circulation easily from the tank to growing medium. If someone is looking for a cheap and

very effective set-up, plants can be grown in floating trays on top of the water or trays just above

the water that lets water flow through the planting medium and then flow back down into the

tank with the help of gravity. These setups require no expensive pumps or planting medium so it

can easily be used in all budgets. Some of these inexpensive set-ups are being designed to help
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developing nations such as the aquaponics setup made in Bangladesh by a college professor to

help suffering communities. “In Bangladesh, a team led by Professor Dr. M.A. Salam at the

Department of Aquaculture of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh has created

plans for a low-cost aquaponics system to provide chemical-free produce and fish”

(“Aquaponics: a Brief History”).

The future of farming is here and spreading rapidly across the country. Many people are

unaware of the possibility to combine aquaculture and hydroponics, and just how beneficial it is.

Anyone would agree both fish farming and hydroponics are extremely beneficial and innovative

farming techniques, but it is undeniable that aquaponics is far more efficient and prosperous than

either being instituted alone. The advantages are endless, but the main ones are how much

combining the two practices saves the grower money, reduces work by eliminating the need to

fertilize the crops, and drastically reduces the amount of water farmers will have to use daily.

The ability to grow crops, using aquaponics, in a variety of settings and areas gives communities

the ability to grow produce and fish much fresher and safer than ever before. With such an

environmental concern in the world during the past few decades, aquaponics fits perfectly due to

is environmentally friendly conservation of water and reduction of fertilizer use. For those who

want to help people living in undeveloped nations, aquaponics is the way to do so. People can

now supply plants and meat to these communities with a much more economical and reasonable

plan than ever before. Aquaponics is clearly the farming of the future.
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Works Cited

Bradley, Kirsten. “Aquaponics: a Brief History.” Milkwood: Permaculture Courses, Skills +

Stories, 18 Jan. 2015, www.milkwood.net/2014/01/20/aquaponics-a-brief-history/ .

“Fish Farms.” Fish Farms | Fish Farming Information and Resources | Farms.com,

Farm.com, 15 Mar. 2018, www.farms.com/farming/fish-farms.aspx.

Seidenberg, Casey. “Why Fresh Food Is Better than Frozen.” The Washington Post, WP

Company, 17 July 2012,

www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/why-fresh-food-is-better-than-frozen/2012/0
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7/17/gJQAYsukrW_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2ac41ef936a3.

Swapnil , K. “Aquaponics: Farming Fish.” Permaculture Magazine, 1 Apr. 2016,

www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/aquaponics-farming-fish.

“What Is Aquaponics.” The Aquaponic Source, The Aquaponic Source , 1 Jan. 2018,

www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/.

“What Is Aquaponics?” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 26 July 2011,

home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/what-is-
aquaponics.htm.