Aquaponics (pronounced: /ˈækwəˈpɒnɨks/) is a sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the by-products from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. The term aquaponics is a portmanteau of the terms aquaculture and hydroponic.
Aquaponic systems vary in size from small indoor or outdoor units to large commercial units, using the same technology. The systems usually contain fresh water, but salt water systems are plausible depending on the type of aquatic animal and vegetation.[citation needed] Aquaponic science may still be considered to be at an early stage.
This is where I learned how family and interns operate an extremely reliable and cyclical production, based on 20,000 tilapias, for seeding, planting, growing, cutting, sorting and delivery of 320 to 400 lbs of organic Romaine, Butter and Red Lettuces a week, selling for $7:00/8:00 and out of stock within 2 days at the Costco store in Kona.
Susanne and Tim gave me the blueprints for this commercial raft method unit that can run on crushed lava rock/cinder or on crushed coconut husk/coir.
While at Friendly Aquaponics, I learned more on how the tilapia's waste water feeds the indigenous strains of bananas, papayas, tarots, yams and sweet potatoes planted by the aquaponic beds.
And I kept following the increasing levels of prices, pain, violence, starvation and genocide required for feeding oneself and one's family, in Haiti and across the world.
There is no training. There is no business. There is no integrity. Only Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder. Click here for full details
Follow Up:
I also worked/exchanged on the 30 years old Garuda Farms in Pahio, learning another very structured organic farm focused on bananas, avocados, papayas, mangos, orande and lillikois, plus 18 different vegetables and 20 herbs, in 30 to 50 beds and 200 containers.
The Garuda devotees serve 6 farmers markets a week.
