AAqquuaappoonniiccss –– VVeeggeettaabbllee && FFiisshh CCoo--PPrroodduuccttiioonn Richard Tyson, University of Florida / Orange County Extension Service, Orlando, FL WWHHYY AAQQUUAAPPOONNIICCSS:: DDOO YYOOUU KKNNOOWW WWHHEERREE YYOOUURR FFOOOODD CCOOMMEESS FFRROOMM ?? Aquaponics : Definition • Aquaculture: The production of aquatic plants or animals • Hydroponics: Growing plants without soil in a liquid or soilless media and nutrient solution • Aquaponics: The combination of aquaculture and hydroponics into a single connected system AAqquuaappoonniiccss • A thorough knowledge of the organisms in the system is required for success. • Juggles balance between ideal water quality conditions for the growth of fish, plants, and nitrifying bacteria. • Aquaponics research is on going Aquaponics • tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce • tilapia, catfish, ornamental species • • Nitrification- especially if the nitrogen for plants is supplied by the fish AAqquuaappoonniiccss NNiittrrooggeenn CCyyccllee Basic System S&S Aquafarms Aquaponic System at U.V.I. Physical Separation of fish and plant area Water cycles through plant & fish growing areas