Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Chinese Proverb
NBC News Recently Reported on the Promise of Aquaponics
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/40203746#40203746
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/40203746#40203746
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment. Fish waste accumulates in water as a by-product of keeping them in a closed system or tank. The waste water becomes high in plant nutrients but this is toxic to the aquatic animal.
Plants are grown in a way that enables them to utilize the nutrient-rich water. The plants take up the nutrients, reducing or eliminating the water's toxicity for the aquatic animal.
The water, now clean, is returned to the aquatic environment and the cycle continues. Aquaponic systems do not discharge or exchange water. The systems rely on the relationship between the aquatic animals and the plants to maintain the environment. Water is only added to replace water loss from absorption by the plants and evaporation into the air.
Plants are grown in a way that enables them to utilize the nutrient-rich water. The plants take up the nutrients, reducing or eliminating the water's toxicity for the aquatic animal.
The water, now clean, is returned to the aquatic environment and the cycle continues. Aquaponic systems do not discharge or exchange water. The systems rely on the relationship between the aquatic animals and the plants to maintain the environment. Water is only added to replace water loss from absorption by the plants and evaporation into the air.
Tilapia
Tilapia has become the third most important fish in aquaculture, with production reaching 1,505,804 metric tons in 2002. Because of their large size, rapid growth, and palatability, tilapia are the focus of major aquaculture efforts. Like other large fish, they are a good source of protein and are popular with commercial fisheries.
Tilapia is also among the easiest and most profitable fish to farm. This is due to their omnivorous diet, tolerance of high stocking density, and rapid growth. Unlike salmon, which rely on high-protein feeds based on fish or meat, most tilapia species eat a vegetable or cereal based diet.
Tilapia is also among the easiest and most profitable fish to farm. This is due to their omnivorous diet, tolerance of high stocking density, and rapid growth. Unlike salmon, which rely on high-protein feeds based on fish or meat, most tilapia species eat a vegetable or cereal based diet.