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Ryan Sultana What is Aquaponics? …‘Aquaponics is the art of growing food with fish poop’, Anonymous “Essentially, all life depends upon the soil ... There can be no life without soil and no soil without life; they have evolved together.” Charles E. Kellogg An integration of two systems: Hydroponics and Aquaculture The process of growing food in an inert medium by controlling and adding nutrients but without soil The cultivation of aquatic animals or plants for food. History Chinampas Built by Incas and Aztecs Between 14th -16th century A.D History Paddy Fields In China and Thailand Since the 6th Century History Barrays Built by Cambodians In Angkor, India Hydroponics – Growing in water… The Raft System also known as Deep Water Culture Hydroponics – Growing in water… The Raft System also known as Deep Water Culture Other Systems • NFT – Nutrient Film Technique • Wick System • Ebb and Flow • Drip System • Aeroponics Nutrient Film Technique Other Systems Aeroponics Aquaponics Aquaculture Bacteria Hydroponics SUN A Sustainable System 3 1 2 Why Aquaponics ? Advantages • Reduced labour • Higher production rate • Provides income from two separate products • Aquacultural waste products are used • A lot of current research and improvements going on Why Aquaponics ? Advantages • Less pests and diseases (if controlled) • Reduced carbon footprint • Reduced water loss • Makes use of dead space Rooftops 3-D vertical dimension Vertical Drip System Towers Why Aquaponics? Disadvantages • High initial cost To fill up water tanks To build the system (Greenhouse, pumps etc.) • Requires skill and know-how • Constant monitoring of water parameters • Pests and diseases can be devastating • Limitations concerned with fish species reared • Competitive market prices Other Possibilities Organic Aquaponics • Natural fertilizer • Natural minerals (snail shells) • Good marketing – labelling Use of Technology • Smart phone applications • Pipe blockage warning • System automation - Check out ‘urban aquaponics in Oakland’ on youtube or Kijani Grows on a search engine for more ideas - Other Possibilities Growing Indoors • Can be used underground and indoors • Artificial lighting • May be a life-saviour in post-apocalyptic scenarios • The Great Tennessee Pot Cave drug bust Other Possibilities Growing Upwards • Futuristic Concepts • Growing locally • Dedicated Skyscraper Farms • Makes use of limited space availability • Space missions Other Possibilities Taken from the movie ‘Sunshine’ Thank You “The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.” ― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution Ryan Sultana