SpringerLink
Log in

Aquaponics Production, Practices and Opportunities

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainable Aquaculture

  • 2931 Accesses

Abstract

Aquaponics is a plant production system that integrates soilless cultivation and recirculating aquaculture. Aquaponics is an environmentally-friendly system that makes full reuse of wastes that are used as fertilizers for plants. At the same time it is more productive than soil-based agriculture and has consistent water savings, which makes it the ideal technology to produce food in resource -limited and climate-change affected areas. The chapter seeks to provide an understanding of aquaponics by giving an overview of the state of the art of past and current research and by outlining advantages and disadvantages of aquaponics against traditional agriculture (soil, soilless) and aquaculture. A comprehensive description of the aquaponic components is given together with a summary of the different systems in use, providing keys for understanding their characteristics and suitability in different climatic and operating conditions. Beside the production of quality crops for both market and backyard consumption, aquaponics could be a tool to address food insecurity in develo** countries. Furthermore, new opportunities for aquaponics are also seen in the use of saline waters to provide tool for bioremediation of brackish -water and marine aquaculture , but management systems need to be adapted to the range of salt-tolerant plants and seaweeds available for either food, feed or fuel, as well as the market demand.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams REW (2005) Prehistoric mesoamerica. University of Oklahoma press, Norman, OK, USA, p 544

    Google Scholar 

  • Adler PR, Summerfelt ST, Glenn DM, Takeda F (2003) Mechanistic approach to phytoremediation of water. Ecol Eng 20:251–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad MH (2008) Response of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, to different dietary protein and lipid levels in practical diets. J World Aquac Soc 39:541–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hafedh YS, Alam A, Beltagi MS (2008) Food production and water conservation in a recirculating aquaponic system in Saudi Arabia at different ratios of fish feed to plants. J World Aquac Soc 39:510–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnabé G (1990) Aquaculture, (II volume), 2nd edn. Ellis Horwood Limited, Chichester, England, p 1104

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown L, Kane H (1994) Full House: reassessing the earth’s population carrying capacity. Worldwatch Environmental Alert Series, W.W. Norton, New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa-Pierce BA (1996) Environmental impact of nutrients from aquaculture: towards the evolution of sustainable aquaculture systems. In: Baird JD, Beveridge MCM, Kelly LA, Muir JF (eds) Aquaculture and water resource management. Blackwell, UK, pp 81–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson J, Summerfelt ST (2005) Solids removal from a coldwater recirculating system—comparison of a swirl separator and a radial-flow settler. Aquacult Eng 33:47–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dediu L, Cristea V, **aoshuan Z (2012) Waste production and valorisation in an integrated aquaponic system with bester and lettuce. Afr J Biotech 11:2349–2358

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Degani G, Ben-Zvi Y, Levanon D (1988) The effect of different dietary protein sources and temperatures on growth and feed utilization of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Isr J Aquac Bamidgeh 40:113–117

    Google Scholar 

  • De Graaf G, Janssen H (1996) Artificial reproduction and pond rearing of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus in Sub-Saharan Africa—a handbook. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper, 362. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLong DP, Losordo TM, Rakocy JE (2009) Tank culture of tilapia. SRAC Publication 282. South Regional Aquaculture Center

    Google Scholar 

  • Diana JS, Szyper JP, Batterson TR, Boyd CE, Pedrahita RH (1997) Water quality in ponds. In: Egna HS, Boyd CE (eds) Dynamics of pond aquaculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, New York, p 437

    Google Scholar 

  • Downing JA, Baker JL, Diaz RJ, Prato T, Rabalais NN, Zimmerman RJ (1999) Gulf of Mexico hypoxia: land and sea interactions task force report No. 134. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Ames, IA

    Google Scholar 

  • El Sayed AFM (2006) Intensive systems. In: El Sayed AFM (ed) Tilapia culture. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, pp 70–94

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Endut A, Jusoh A, Ali N, Wan Nik WB, Hassan A (2010) A study on the optimal hydraulic loading rate and plant ratios in recirculation aquaponic system. Biores Technol 101:1511–1517

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2014) Small-scale aquaponic food production. Integrated fish and plant farming. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 589. Rome, FAO, p 262

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh BP, Burris RH (1950) Utilization of nitrogenous compounds by plants. Soil Sci 70:187–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gloger KC, Rakocy JE, Cotner JB, Bailey DS, Cole WM, Shultz KA (1995) Waste treatment capacity of raft hydroponics in a closed recirculating fish culture system. World Aquaculture Society, Book of Abstracts, pp 126–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Graber A, Junge R (2009) Aquaponic systems: nutrient recycling from fish wastewater by vegetable production. Desalination 246:147–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen MN (1997) Hydroponics. HortSci 32(6):1018–1021

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen MN (1981) New developments in hydroponics systems: descriptions, oprating characteristics, evaluation. In: Proceedings: Hydroponics: where is tt growing? Hydroponics society of america, Brentwood, CA, pp 1–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones JB (1997) Hydroponics, a practical guide for the soilles grower. St Lucie Press, Boca Raton, FL USA, pp 9–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennard WA (2004) Aquaponics the theory behind integration. Gippsland Aquaculture Industry Network—GAIN, Traralgon Victoria. Australia http://www.growfish.com.au/content.asp?contentid=1060. Accessed 18 Feb 2007

  • Lennard WA, Leonard BV (2004) A comparison of reciprocating flow versus constant flow in an integrated, gravel bed, aquaponic test system. Aquacult Int 12:539–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lennard WA, Leonard BV (2006) A Comparison of three different hydroponic sub-systems (gravel bed, floating and nutrient film technique) in an aquaponic test system. Aquacult Int 14:539–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lennard WA (2013) Aquaponic system design parameters. Fish to plant ratios. Aquaponics fact sheet series. http://www.aquaponic.com.au/Fish%20to%20plant%20ratios.pdf. Accessed on 28 Jan 2016

  • Leoni S (2003) Colture senza suolo in ambiente mediterraneo. le nuove tecniche per l’orticoltura e la floricoltura da serra. Edagricole, Bologna, Italy, p 278

    Google Scholar 

  • Losordo TM, Masser MP, Rakocy JE (1998) Recirculating aquaculture tank production systems an overview of critical considerations. SRAC Publication No. 451, September 1998—Revised

    Google Scholar 

  • Love DC, Fry JP, Li X, Hill ES, Genello L, Semmens K, Thompson RE (2015) Commercial aquaponics production and profitability: findings from an international survey. Aquaculture 435:67–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Love DC, Fry JP, Genello L, Hill ES, Frederick JA, Li X, Semmens K (2014) An international survey of aquaponics practitioners. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0102662. Accessed on 28 Jan 2016

  • Massantini F (1968) Le Culture Idroponiche. L’Italia Agricola, Numero speciale Culture Protette 11–12:1137–1172

    Google Scholar 

  • Masser MP, Rakocy JE, Losordo TM (1999) Recirculating aquaculture tank production systems: management of recirculating systems. SRAC Publication No. 452 (revision March 1999) Department of Agriculture, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins CIM, Eding EH, Verreth JAJ (2011) The effect of recirculating aquaculture systems on the concentrations of heavy metals in culture water and tissues of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Food Chem 126:1001–1005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mc Murty MR, Nelson PV, Sanders DC, Hodges L (1990) Sand culture of vegetables using recirculated aquacultural effluents. Appl Agric Res 5:280–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Murty MR, Sanders DC, Cure JD (1997) Efficiency of water use of an integrated fish vegetable co-culture system. J World Aquac Soc 28:420–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naegel LCA (1977) Combined production of fish and plants in recirculating water. Aquaculture 10:17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Cardarelli M, Colla G (2010) Aquaponics vs hydroponics: potentials for sustainable aquaculture. Paper presented at Aquaculture Europe 2010, Oporto, Portugal, 6–9 October 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Fabrizi F, Cardarelli M, Colla G (2011a) Catfish and sweet basil aquaponics: a comparison of fish and plant growth under two different protein diets. Paper presented at World Aquaculture 2011, Natal, Brazil, 6–10 June 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Bergonzoli S, Fabrizi F, Cardarelli M, Colla G (2011b) Saline aquaponics, new challenges for marine aquaculture. Paper presented at Aquaculture Europe 2011, Rhodes, Greece, 18–21 Oct 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Fabrizi F, Cardarelli M, Colla G (2011c) Closed rice-fish recirculating system (CRIFIRS): an innovative and low-tech production method for environmental friendly productions and food security. Paper presented at World Aquaculture 2011, Natal, Brazil, 6–10 June 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Cardarelli M, Colla G, Danieli PP, MacNiven A (2011d) Integrated aquaculture—floating agriculture: is it a valid strategy to raise livelihood? Acta Hortic 921:79–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Cardarelli M, Colla G, Rea E, Marcucci A (2012a) Aquaponics vs hydroponics: production and quality of lettuce crop. Acta Hortic 927:887–893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Colla G, Appelbaum S (2012b) Sustainable aquaculture and farming systems: water use efficiency in aquaponics. Paper presented at the Drylands, Deserts and Desertification conference. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Israel. 12–15 Nov, 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Cardarelli M, Colla G (2012c) Yields and nutrient uptake from three aquaponic sub-systems (floating, NFT and substrate) under two different protein diets. Paper presented at the European Aquaculture Society AQUA2012 Global Aquaculture Securing our Future. Prague, Czech Republic. 1–5 Sept 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantanella E, Colla G, Bhujel RC Myint W (2014) Aquaponics for livelihoods? Paper presented at the World Aquaculture Society conference Aquaculture America 2014, Seattle, USA. 9–12 Feb 2014

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantazis PA, Neofitou CN (2003) Feeding frequency and feed intake in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822). Isr J Aquac Bamidgeh 55:160–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Piedrahita RH (2003) Reducing the potential environmental impact of tank aquaculture effluents through intensification and recirculation. Aquaculture 226:35–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pruginin Y, Fishelson L, Koren A (1988) Intensive tilapia farming in brackishwater from an Israeli desert aquifer. In: Pullin RSV, Bhukaswan T, Tonguthai K, Maclean JL (eds) The second international symposium on tilapia in aquaculture. ICLARM conference proceedings vol 15, pp 75–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE (1989) Tank culture of tilapia. SRAC Publication No. 282 Department of Agriculture, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE, Losordo TM, Masser MP (1992) Recirculating aquaculture tank production systems. integrating fish and plant culture. SRAC Publication No. 454, Department of Agriculture, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE, Hargreaves JA (1993) Integration of vegetable hydroponics with fish culture: a review. In: Techniques for modern aquaculture. Proceedings of an aquacultural engineering conference, ASAE. Spokane, Washington, USA, 21–23 June 1993, pp 112–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE, Bailey DS, Shultz KA, Cole WM (1997) Evaluation of a commercial-scale aquaponic unit for the production of tilapia and lettuce. In: Fitzsimmons K (ed) Tilapia aquaculture: proceedings of the fourth international symposium on tilapia in aquaculture at Orlando, Florida. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, Ithaca, New York, USA, pp 357–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE (1999a) The state of aquaponics. Part 1. Aquac Mag 25(3):83–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE (1999b) The state of aquaponics. Part 2. Aquac Mag 25(4):64–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE, Shultz RC, Bailey DS, Thoman ES (2004a) Aquaponic production of tilapia and basil: comparing a batch and staggered crop** system. Acta Hortic 648:63–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE, Shultz RC, Bailey DS, Thoman ES (2004b) update on tilapia and vegetable production in the UVI aquaponic system. new dimensions on farmed tilapia. Proceedings from the 6th international symposium on tilapia in aquaculture, Manila, Philippines September 12–16, 2004. http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/ista6/ista6web/pdf/676.pdf. Accessed on 15 Jan 2016

  • Rakocy JE, Masser MP, Losordo TM (2006) Recirculating aquaculture tank production systems: aquaponics-integrating fish and plant culture. SRAC Publication No. 454 (revision November 2006) Department of Agriculture, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocy JE (2007) Aquaponics, integrating fish and plant culture. In: Simmons TB, Ebeling JM (eds) Recirculating aquaculture. Cayuga Aqua Ventures, Ithaca, NY, USA, pp 767–826

    Google Scholar 

  • Resh HM (2004) Hydroponic food production. A definitive guidebook for the advanced home gardener and the commercial hydroponic grower, 6th edn. New Concept press, Mahwah, NJ, USA, pp 567

    Google Scholar 

  • Savidov N (2005) Evaluation and development of aquaponics production and product market capabilities in Alberta. Phase II. Final Report—Project #2004-67905621. http://www.ecogrow.ca/pdf/CDC_Report_Phase_II.pdf. Accessed on 10 Jan 2016

  • Seawright DE, Stickney RR, Walker RB (1998) Nutrient dynamics in integrated aquaculture–hydroponics systems. Aquaculture 160:215–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schram E, Roques J, Abbink W, Yokohama Y, Spanings T, de Vries P, Bierman S, Van de Vis H, Flik G (2012) Exposure of fish to high nitrate in recirculating aquaculture systems affects growth, feed intake and physiology. Paper presented at aqua 2012 global aquaculture, securing our future. Prague, Czech Republic, 1–5 Sept 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonneveld C, Straver N (1989) Nutrient solutions for vegetables and flowers grown in water or substrates. Voedingsoplossingen Glasstuinbouw Bull. N. 8. Naaldwijk, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton MQ, Anderson EN (2004) Introduction to cultural ecology. Altamira Press, Lanham, MD, USA, p 352

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesi R (2002) Colture fuori suolo in orticoltura e frutticultura. Italy, Edagricole, Bologna, p 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Tillman D, Cassman KG, Matson PA, Naylor R, Polasky S (2002) Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices. Nature 418:671–677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyson RV, Simonne EH, White JM, Lamb EM (2004) Reconciling water quality parameters impacting nitrification in aquaponics: the pH levels. Proc Fla State Hortic Soc 117:79–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyson RV, Simonne EH, Treadwell DD (2008) Reconciling pH for ammonia biofiltration and cucumber yield in a recirculating aquaponic system with perlite biofilters. HortScience 43(3):719–724

    Google Scholar 

  • UN-Water (2012) Managing water under uncertainty and risk. The United Nations World Water Development Report 4. UNESCO, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Anrooy R (2002) Marketing opportunities for aquaculture products in the Lesser Antilles. In: Lovatelli A, Walters R, van Anrooy R (eds) Report of the subregional workshop to promote sustainable aquaculture development in the small Island develo** states of the lesser antilles FAO fisheries report no. 704 SLAC/FIRI/FIPP/R704. FAO, Rome, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Rijn J (1996) The potential for integrated biological treatment systems in recirculating fish culture—a review. Aquaculture 139:181–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Rijn J (2010) Chapter 9: Denitrification. In: Timmons MB, Ebeling JM (eds) Recirculating aquaculture, 2nd edn. Cayuga Aqua Ventures, New York, pp 387–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Verdegem MCJ, Eding EH, van Rooij JM, Verreth JAJ (1999) Comparison of effluents from pond and recirculating production systems using formulated diets. World Aquac 30:28–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Verdegem MCJ, Bosma RH, Verreth JAJ (2006) Reducing water use for animal production through aquaculture. Water Resour Dev 22:101–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waggoner PE (1994) How much land can ten billion people spare for nature? Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. Task Force Report No. 121

    Google Scholar 

  • Watten BJ, Busch RL (1984) Tropical production of tilapia (Sarotherodon aurea) and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) in a small scale recirculating water system. Aquaculture 41:271–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ying Y, Lin CK (2001) Effects of biomass of caged Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and aeration on the growth and yields in an integrated cage-cum-pond system. Aquaculture 195:253–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIHEAM IAM Bari, Valenzano, BA, Italy

    Edoardo Pantanella

Authors
  1. Edoardo Pantanella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edoardo Pantanella .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

    Faisal I. Hai

  2. Asian Institute of Technology, Klongluang Pathumthani, Thailand

    Chettiyappan Visvanathan

  3. Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, Louisiana, USA

    Ramaraj Boopathy

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Pantanella, E. (2018). Aquaponics Production, Practices and Opportunities. In: Hai, F., Visvanathan, C., Boopathy, R. (eds) Sustainable Aquaculture. Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73257-2_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation