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AquaponicsAquaponics is the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics. An aquaculture is used to continuously generate a nutrient-rich solution to feed a hydroponic garden. Aquaponic systems can be used to replicate controlled wetland conditions that are useful for reclaiming potable water from typical household sewage, in addition to generating a continual supply of food with minimal fertilizer use. Aquaponics, which takes advantage of synergy between self-organizing biological systems, is a key element of permaculture. This synergy benefits both systems and allows each to help maintain the other. For example, an aquaponic system consisting of goldfish and watercress would require less human intervention into each system. The goldfish would benefit from the filtration carried out by the watercress, and the watercress would benefit from the nutrient-rich waste excreted by the goldfish. In practice, tilapia are the most popular fish chosen for home and commercial projects that are intended to raise edible fish. Most green leafy vegetables grow well in the hydroponic filter. Although sometimes selected minerals or nutrients such as iron are added, the main source of nutrients for the plants is the fish waste. Hydroponics for an aquaponics system varies greatly from a traditional hydroponic system in that the traditional hydroponic system must be kept sterile or it will clog up. In aquaponics, the hydroponic grow bed depends on the bacterial action which converts the fish wastes into a usuable form for the plants to absorb. Without the bacteria, both fish and plants would soon die. Aquaponics Journal
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