Why is Aquaponics superior to either hydroponics or aquaculture?
The main difference between aquaponics and hydroponics – besides the absence of fish – is that in hydroponics, the water eventually becomes toxic and must be disposed of properly. During the growing phase, while the hydroponic system has relatively clean water, both technologies (aquaponics and hydroponics) cycle water very efficiently. In fact, both technologies have been shown to utilize vastly less water than the amount required in traditional in-ground agriculture; estimates range from 5-10% of the water required to grow an equivalent amount of produce in soil, outdoors. In hydroponics, however, the nutrient solutions eventually become so out of balance that they are unusable and the growers must discard them. The disposal of this nutrient-loaded (effluent) solution is a major environmental concern. Improper hydroponics wastewater disposal can over-nourish water bodies and produce poisonous toxins damaging to aquatic life, animals and humans. To the best of our knowledge, current b
