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How it works

Aquaponics is a farming technique that combines aquaculture (raising of fish, prawns, bivalves, etc.) and hydroponics (growing produce in water)

Aquaculture  + Hydroponics  = Aquaponics

In an aquaponic system, the fish provide the nutrients for the plants and the plants uptake these nutrients before the water is circulated back to the fish. Along with fish and plants, nitrifying bacteria complete the aquaponics cycle by acting as the middle step and converting fish waste (ammonia) into usable nutrients for the plants. In this technique, the fish, bacteria, and plants are working together in a closed-loop, mutually beneficial system.

The Aquaponics Cycle

Aquaponics Cycle Graphic.PNG

FAQs

  1. Does fish waste come into contact with the plants?

    No, water that contains fish waste undergoes both a biological and mechanical filtration process before coming into contact with the plant roots. The roots are the only portion of the plant that comes into contact with the water in our system.

  2. What species of fish do you use?

    At Native Fresh we use a hybrid species of Tilapia. Other forms of aquaculture used in aquaponics systems include: hybrid striped bass, salmon, and even prawns.

  3. What are the benefits of aquaponics versUs traditional ground farming?

    Aquaponics can produce product faster than traditional agriculture while using significantly less water and space. At Native Fresh we also have the added appeal of operating off-the-grid by using solar panels to capture energy from the sun.

  4. What do you do with the fish once they get too big?

    Currently, we use the fish as a source of nutrition for the system. Our fish are not currently on a feed plan to maximize their growth rate. In the future, once our fish reach market size they will be carefully harvested.

  5. What do you grow?

    We grow anything from lettuce to papaya trees. Leafy greens and herbs are common in aquaponics; and while we do grow them, we also have the ability to grow fruits and sub-terrestrial plants like carrots, potatoes, beets, and radishes. Sign up for our newsletter to see what is growing on a regular basis.