There is a genuine need for healthy and sustainable food systems. As our population grows, researchers and food scientists are searching for ways to grow enough healthful food to feed the growing population. Experimenting with the food systems our ancestors used such as aquaponics combined with modern day technology, innovators have the ability to design highly-efficient ways to produce enough healthy food to feed our growing populations.
What is aquaponics?
The term aquaponics comes from fusing aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics. Hydroponics grows plants in a nutrient solution and water rather than soil. With aquaponics, the nutrients are derived from fish waste byproducts rather than the soluble nutrients used in traditional hydroponics. These soilless growing methods are both resourceful closed-loop systems.
Aquaponics was used by the ancient Aztecs in the construction of vegetated chinampas floating islands. It is an ecologically applied agriculture production technique that is emerging for biofiltration used in combination with commercial recirculating aquaculture systems.
Fish used in aquaponics
There are a variety of aquaponic fish that can be used with aquaponic systems. The type of aquaponic fish chosen depends on water temperature, pH, and a personal preference between edible fish or non-edible fish. More common aquaponic fish options are:
1. Arctic Char
2. Barramundi
3. Bass
4. Goldfish
5. Koi
6. Murray Cod
7. Tilapia
8. Trout
Automated aquaponic systems for your home
As a result of the increased awareness and education available on the benefits of gardening and growing your own food, indoor gardening has become popular with urban dwellers. People are realizing that gardening doesn't need to be complicated. Personal-sized and automated gardening systems for your home exist to make soilless gardening easy for any level of gardener.
Automated hydroponic gardening systems can be placed anywhere in the home and grow a number of thriving plants with minimal maintenance. Because of the shift in demand for organically grown produce for health and the environment, more and more fully integrated aquaponic and hydroponic units are being designed. It isn't just big commercial business anymore.
All-in-one units come with everything you need to grow your own food at home. Who would have thought that one day we could have living furniture -- living room tables that grow plants!
Living furniture
Innovation doesn't need to be complicated in order to be of value. The team at GreenTowers have vision. They took a living room end table and gave it an important purpose: to grow your own food. What started out as an aquaponic greenhouse concept was the driving force behind GreenTowers living furniture design. The entrepreneurial team of students from Penn State came up with a unique solutions for food production.
Revolutionary author
Sylvia Berstein an innovator, entrepreneur, teacher, gardener, and author has inspiration in the world of aquaponics. Revolutionary in the soilless growing industry, Sylvia has been actively involved in hydroponics and aquaponics since 2003 and has made her mark. She has written books, developed guides, and offers online courses in aquaponics.
Trending growing methods
Research and get familiar with alternative growing method. There are a few schools of thought out there. Whether you prefer to grow using soil or one of the soilless growing methods, remember why you're growing your own food and the benefits it will have on you and your family.
Take hyper-local food production into your own hands -- after all, there's just no better way than to grow your own.
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