top of page
Naomi Stephens | Permaculture Designer

7 Benefits of Aquaponics

Updated: Jan 11, 2021

Aquaponics is when fish and plants are raised together.

The process is in harmony with nature because fish provide fertiliser for the plants and the plants clean the water for fish.


Here are 7 benefits of Aquaponics.


1. No bending or kneeling

2. Away from pests

3. Weed-free

4. No watering

5. No fertilisers

6. It's Fast

7. It's Organic



1. No Bending or kneeling


Gardening in a typical garden whether it's outside or on a balcony. This usually requires a lot of bending or kneeling. After a while, this can put a strain on your back. With an aquaponics system, it's likely that it's going to be table length high.


2. Away from pests


The usual garden pests like snails and aphids are unable to get inside an aquaponics system; they would risk drowning in the water or being eaten by the fish! Bigger animals like rabbits or moles are not able to do damage because the aquaponics system tends to be waist high.


3. Weed free


You won't have to worry about weeds getting into your aquaponics garden because their seeds are unable to settle in the water and take root like they do in the ground.


4. No watering


This goes without saying, your plants are growing in water so you'll never have to water again!



5. No Fertilisers


Fish excrement is a fertiliser high in nitrogen for plants. There are nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the aquarium that convert the fish excrement into soluble nitrogen for the plants.


6. It's Fast


Roots don't need to go in search of food or water everything is readily available. Growing in aquaponics is noticeably quicker. For example, lettuce only takes 26 to 30 days in aquaponics, compared to growing in the soil will take 45 to 48.


7. It's Organic


Aquaponics requires an organic environment. If you add anything synthetic or unnatural you'll kill either the plants or the fish. For example, if you add pesticides to the plants, it'll kill the fish and if you add hormones or antibiotics to the fish, it'll kill the plants.



 


Are you thinking of installing a small aquaponics system in your home? Please let me know in the comment section below. I will be gradually posting updates on my aquaponics system. If you liked this article, then subscribe for more.






Comments


1/4

Get free resources, useful, well researched new ideas. Subscribe.

Subscribe for free Permaculture resources periodically. 

Subscribe for more relevant information on small space gardening and Urban permaculture. Be the first to see exclusive and new content. Be updated on the latest on what's going on in the urban gardening world.

See More

bottom of page