The document is about aquaponics, which is a self-sustaining system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. In an aquaponics system, fish waste provides nutrients for plants to grow without soil. The plants filter the water, which is then recirculated to the fish tanks. Aquaponics systems do not require chemical fertilizers or regular maintenance. The document discusses how aquaponics works, its benefits such as producing food with minimal water and space, and its potential applications to address food shortages.

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Travis Wallage
Ms. Bennett
British Literature
9 September 2011
Self-sustaining system
Last night my entire meal came from the fish tank in my backyard!
My meal was grown using a process called Aquaponics. Aquaponics is a process of
combining aquaculture and hydroponics. This process utilizes the waste products and water from
fish for plant nutrients. “The plants act as a filter for the water, which is purified and recycled
back into the tanks. No chemical fertilizers, pesticides or medications are used in this system”.
(Considine 34) Aquaponics combines two growth systems into a self sustaining system that does
not require regular maintenance.
Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the use of
aquatic organisms harvested under controlled conditions. Such organisms include fish, shrimp
and oysters. Aquaculture has been practiced worldwide in one form or another for centuries.
(Johnson 47) For example, in countries such as China, where there are lowland fields and rice
paddies that are flooded by strong rains and monsoons every year this occurs naturally. With
these floods, the fish enter lowland areas and flourish to numbers where there is an abundance of
fish. When the heavy rains stop all the water drains away the fish and their offspring were left
behind and harvested by the people. Over time the people in these areas realized that by leaving
the offspring, and only harvesting the large fish that they would grow, spawn, and cycle. Over
time they had more than enough food to supply the people by a naturally occurring process.

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“Hydroponics is the process of using a medium such as sand, gravel or liquid with added
nutrients to grow plants”(Johanson 21). In hydroponics the plants are given enough nutrients to
allow it to grow to its full potential. If your plant is planted in dirt alone it will use more energy
trying to expand its roots to find the necessary amount of nutrients it needs. With hydroponics a
plant does not use as much energy to find the nutrients because the roots are held in the medium
and the nutrients are artificially added. An Aquaponics system combines the ability to grow fish
and vegetables in one system that can be harvested as food sources.
To set up an Aquaponics system the following items and materials will be needed. A fish
tank will be needed to provide a safe environment for the fish to live. The fish tank will also
allow waste to settle at the bottom of the tank, which will then act as nutrients for the plants.
A tub is required to hold your medium, such as pea gravel. The plant roots are washed clean of
dirt and are placed in the medium. The medium stabilizes the roots and collects the waste from
the water from the fish and provides nutrients to the roots. The medium also collects bacteria
from the fish waste, which is also used by the roots. A submersible pump is required to move the
water from the fish tank into the tubs of medium. An important addition to the system is the use
of an air pump or air stone to provide additional oxygen to the fish and plants, which aids in the
growth of both. In addition, a pipe or hose system is used to evenly direct the water from the tank
into the tubs and then gravity will allow the water to flow back into the fish tank. The waste
created by the fish in the water is pumped into the tubs and trapped by the medium to be used by
the plants roots to grow. “The roots therefore filter the water, which then goes back into the tank
to supply healthy water for the fish” (Johanson 21).
An important component of any Aquaponics operation is the bacteria-based bio-filtration
compartment, which is held in the medium. The medium hosts two types of bacteria. The first

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bacterial action that takes place is the conversion of ammonia into nitrites. Ammonia is toxic to
fish so this conversion is critical to the health of the fish. The second process is the conversion of
nitrites into nitrates. Nitrates usable by the plants and are not toxic to fish. Each form of
bacterium breaks down the waste and converts it into food for the plants. (Johnson 47) “Goldfish
have a very high metabolism and, as a result, produce and abundance of ammonia. One goldfish
in a twenty-gallon tank creates enough waste to grow ten or more plants at a time” (Johanson
21). The addition of goldfish to the Aquaponics system increases waste production and
contributes to greater plant growth. In an Aquaponics system the plants and fish live in a state of
symbiosis, they benefit each other.
Traditional farming requires large areas of land, and this has depleted the naturally
occurring nutrients in soil. Today, large farming requires that nutrients, chemicals and fertilizers
be added to the ground for greater crop production. Land development has reduced the land
available for farming. Aquaponics offers an alternative way to produce food sources without the
use of chemical fertilizers. Aquaponics is environmentally friendly because it offers an
opportunity to use less space and water. In suburban living there is not always enough room to
have a backyard garden to grow fresh vegetables. Today the use of organic foods is promoted as
being healthier than commercial production but it is expensive to purchase these foods at the
store.
There are several benefits to an Aquaponics system. Aquaponics is a healthy alternative
way to traditional farming, as the chemicals used in traditional farming are not required in
Aquaponics. Even hydroponics requires the addition of chemical nutrients to facilitate plant
growth. But in an Aquaponics system the fish add the nutrients naturally. As chemicals are not
use in Aquaponics and it is a contained system this also prevents chemical runoff in water

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sources. Aquaponics is an organic, self-sustaining system that allows the production vegetable
and protein sources. “An Aquaponics system is self-sustainable. It allows you the chance to grow
fresh vegetables and fish in a small area” (Bird 26). For example, in an Aquaponics system all
that is needed is one square foot to grow ten heads of cabbage. “Aquaponics is a way for people
to grow food locally,” he said, “A way for them to become more food-independent” (Biologist
Greg Conin Works). Organic foods provide an abundance of vitamins that are needed in daily
living. The food is healthier and actually tastes better.
Aquaponics may be beneficial in other countries where weather conditions are harsh and
water and productive soil are limited. It is possible that Aquaponics may be helpful in third
world countries where food is limited. Aquaponics a waste free food production method could be
a solution to help all the food shortages in other countries. Brett Roe, who investigated
ecologically integrated production systems at the University of Queensland in Australia,
cautioned that it might not be a cure-all. “Aquaponics offers decentralized food security on a
small scale, and reuse of resources,” he said. “Every little bit helps. But in developing countries
it may make better sense to culture fish in ponds and use the wastewater on land-based crops; a
simple linkage of aquaculture and crop farming that has the same general effect of reusing
resources and can be practiced in a larger scale of economy.” (Roberts)
Aquaponics might be the wave of the future. “Johnson stated that Aquaponics is
currently the fastest growing agricultural enterprise worldwide” (47). Many involved in
Aquaponics are confident that, in time, it will be the fastest growing agricultural enterprise. Their
confidence is based on the fact that Aquaponics systems are very efficient; start-up and
operational costs are much less in relation to products produced, and they can be self-sustaining.
Water requirements are the lowest of all systems; they are versatile and can be adapted to almost

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any environment. In addition, the demand for wholesome organic food is increasing more each
year. Aquaponics is important because it is a self-sustaining system. Aquaponics has the
potential to be used in other countries that do not have all the equipment or resources that are
needed for farming. Or in countries such as Africa where the temperatures reach so high that
they do not have enough water for daily use. Additionally, Aquaponics can be very reliable in
small suburban places like New York where people want to have fresh produce but don’t have
enough land to support it. As water resources are becoming limited here in the United States it
could also prove beneficial. “With water restrictions enforced in almost every city around the
country, people just can’t have their traditional vegetable garden” (Roberts). The Aquaponics
system is an environmentally self-sustaining model for food production that can be used in
backyards as well as commercial production.
In the world today there is so much attention given to living a healthy lifestyle. This is
part of the fitness minded and the general population. The daily news talks about the importance
of eating organic food free of chemicals. The chemicals in our meat and on our vegetables from
artificial sources have a poor effect on our health. With the hard economic times it is difficult to
eat healthy due to the price of food. The Aquaponics system provides anyone with the
opportunity to add some healthier food to his or her diet at a reasonable cost.
Aquaponics is a new way of thinking about food production. It is an idea that is gaining
notice around the world. Aquaponics is a self-sustaining food production system that combines
the processes of aquaculture and hydroponics. The system can be set up in a small area with
large benefits. It requires little if any maintenance. It is an entirely organic and healthy and a way
to supplement your health and diet with fresh food at a reasonable price. It also benefits the
environment by not using large amounts of land like traditional farming and prevents the run off

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of chemicals into water sources. Aquaponics may provide alternative possibilities for food
production in countries with limited resources. There are several benefits to an Aquaponics
system for individuals and globally.

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Works Cited.
Johnson, Charles. "Aquaponics, the wave of the future." Countryside & Small Stock Journal 92.2
(2008): 47. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
Considine, Mary-Lou. "Plant crops to clean up aquaculture waste." Ecos 138 (2007): 34.
MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
Bird, J. Steven. "A Small Green Food Machine." Natural Life 134 (2010): 26. MasterFILE
Premier. EBSCO. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
"20-Minute University." Restaurant Business 109.3 (2010): 38. MasterFILE Premier.
EBSCO. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
Johanson, Erik K. "Aquaponics and Hydroponics on a Budget." Tech Directions 69.2 (2009): 21.
MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 31 Aug. 2011.
Roberts, By Genevieve. “Fish farms, with a side of vegetables; interest rises in system that uses
one product’s waste to grow another.” International Herald Tribune 28 Sept. 2010. Global Issues
In Context. Web. 7 Sep. 2011.