Aquaponics System

Understanding How an Aquaponics System Works

Before you can even think of building an Aquaponics system, it is important to understand how this works so you can come up with an effective and successful biological farming system.

Aquaponics is a method that mixes aquaculture and hydroponics into one to come up with healthy organic harvest and cultured freshwater fish. Based on the experts’ opinion, this system eliminates the disadvantages of both systems because it has been proven to be easy on the environment; the technique is more effective and efficient, and the over-all cost for this system is quite reasonable.


The basic principle used in Aquaponics is to put waste into use.  There are three important components in an Aquaponics system—the fish, the plants, and the bacteria. If you want your system to come out successful, you have to make certain that you know the functions of each one to have a balanced and well-maintained biological system.

The Fish, the Plants and the Bacteria

The water system where fresh water fish like Tilapia, cod, perch, trout, and bass thrive is a closed-in system. It simply means that once they are filled with water, you only replace a small amount of water to compensate the evaporated water. At this point, you may be wondering how a water-based system can make use of a small amount of water compared to traditional farming. This is possible through the recycling technology of the Aquaponics system.

Fish in the tank excrete wastes and these, together with the unused fields, are converted into ammonia. High levels of ammonia in the water will cause it to become toxic this is the reason why water should be removed for the fish to remain healthy. However instead of throwing it out, the ammonia in the water will be broken down by naturally occurring microbes or bacteria like nitrobacteria and convert it to become nitrate. Just like a typical aquarium in your home, once you have too much nitrate in your fish tank, it will cause unwanted vegetation to grow in the water. This is where the importance of balance within the system comes in.

The nitrate-rich water will then be introduced to the soil-less plants whose roots are hanging through the holes of the plant beds. The nitrates in the water, which is toxic to the fish, are actually a good source of nutrients for the plants! As a matter of fact, it acts as a natural fertilizer. Yes, you heard it right! In an Aquaponics system there is no need for chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides for plants to grow. All they need is fish water wastes for them to grow healthier and faster!

The beauty of this system does not stop here. While the roots of the plants absorbed the nitrates, it also works as a bio-filter. The plant cleans out the ammonia, nitrites, phosphorus and nitrates in the water causing the water to become clear and clean. The water will then be re-cycled back to the fish tank. Indeed, balance is very essential.  

Now that you know how the Aquaponics system works, you can easily come up with a DIY system that you and your family can benefit.