Aquaponics: The Integration Of Fish And Vegetable Culture In Recirculating Systems

A commercial-scale, aquaponic system for the intensive production of tilapia and hydroponic vegetables has been developed at the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station. The system is well suited for Caribbean islands and other tropical regions where fresh water is scarce or level farm land is limited. It consists of a fish rearing tank, a clarifier, two hydroponic tanks and a reservoir, and is reliable, productive and easy to operate. Water continuously circulates between the fish and hydroponic components. The fish grow rapidly on a pelleted diet that is high in protein. Waste from the fish provides most of the nutrients required by vegetables. The vegetables recover these nutrients as a valuable by-product and purify the water. The presence of both fish and plants creates a very stable growing environment, while high nutrient levels and unlimited water promote rapid vegetable growth. This system is economical because nutrient costs are reduced, the need for expensive filtration devices is eliminated, component operating and infrastructural costs are shared, land requirements are small, water is conserved, and environmental impacts are minimized.