Aquaponics is an integrated multi-trophic production system (polyculture) consisting

of two technology applications combination between aquaculture (fish farming) and

hydroponic (soil-less) cultivation of vegetables or plants. It is also known that
aquaponics is a method that has a role in the larger context of sustainable intensive
agriculture, particularly in small-scale applications. It can grow significant volumes of
food in areas and conditions where soil-based agriculture is difficult or impossible,
and it offers supportive and collaborative ways of vegetable and fish production
(Somerville et al., 2014). Aquaponics in environmental aspects helps by avoiding the
escape and pollution of water from aquaculture wastewater and provides more
management of water and productivity. Aquaponics do not use fertilizer chemicals,
pesticides, or weeds to prevent any residues.

In aquaponics, the biological process involved is nitrification, an important part of the

nitrogen cycle found in nature. The idea is that when the fish excrete nutrient-rich
waste, it can fertilize the plants and filter the water for the fish. The process starts with
the Nitrosomonas bacteria break down the fish waste which is largely made of
ammonia (NH3) into nitrite (NO2) and then the second type of bacteria, Nitrobacter
bacteria convert the nitrite (NO2) into nitrate (NO3) that become the dissolved
nutrients, which plants need to thrive in the hydroponic component (Figure 1). The
principle of this system enables fish, plants, and bacteria symbiotically to live and
cooperate, providing the appropriate balance for the system, and producing a healthy
growth environment (Ujjania et al., 2021).
There are several basic components required for an aquaponics system. This system
uses Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) which are self-contained growing
environments for producing aquatic organisms (Pattillo, 2017). The ‘hardware’ of an
aquaponic system consists of fish tanks, water, and air pumps, the solids removal units
such as drum filters or settlers, biofilter, plant grow beds and the plumbing materials
for water supply (Figure 2). For water management, there are two types of water
management which are closed-loop (coupled system) and open-loop (decoupled
system). Closed-loop (coupled systems) is a system where water is continuously
circulated from the RAS to the hydroponic unit, and back to the RAS. While open-
loop (decoupled system) or also known called as decoupled aquaponic systems
(DAPS), the water is separately recirculated within each system and is supplied on-
demand from the RAS to the hydroponic unit, but it does not flow back to the system
which the two systems between RAS and hydroponic unit are connected by a one-way
valve (Sallenave et al., 2019).

There are several types of hydroponic systems used in aquaponics. One of them is the Nutrient

Film Technique (NFT), in which the plant roots in this arrangement are suspended in channels

called valleys through which a thin layer of nutritional solution flows, keeping the roots wet but

not logged (Mohammed et al., 2016). Next, the Media bed technique, the most popular design for

small-scale aquaponics which the medium serves as a mechanical and biological filter as well as

a support for the plants' roots (Dunn, 2016). Besides that, there is also the Deep-Water Culture

(DWC) known as the raft method or floating system, the nutrient-rich water is circulated through

long canals at a depth of about 20 cm while rafts (usually polystyrene) float on top (FAO, 2015).
In an aquaponics system, there are also advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the

system are the preservation of water resources, lessened operating costs compared to aquaculture

or hydroponics separately, high level of biosecurity aimed at minimizing the risk of transmission

of infectious disease and fewer contaminants, recycling of non-renewable resources such as

phosphorus, potassium, and of renewable, but scarce ones such as water, able to operate in a

wide range of climates and both rural and urban settings, allowing for the production of family

food or income crops and also an efficient use of nutrient source (fish feed). For the

disadvantaged part, the start-up is more expensive compared to other technologies, a thorough

understanding of the species (fish, plants, microbes) involved is required, without heavy

investment in greenhouse technology, requirements for fish and plants may be varied and cannot

be fulfilled at each site, management daily is required and requires electricity, supply of

seedlings and fingerlings (young fish).

In a nutshell, aquaponics is a unique, fast-growing, environmentally friendly

agriculture technique that combines RAS and hydroponics systems and also offers all-
year-round productions. Overseason leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables may be a key
source of revenue for aquaponic farmers as they can benefit from much higher
pricing. This system can produce high-quality vegetables, plants, and aquatic species.
Aquaponics can be done on a small scale or a large one, ranging from a hobbyist's
bench-top aquarium to a multi-acre commercial operation able to produce large
quantities of fish and plants every year. It also shows the efficient technology by
providing the symbiotic environment by producing plant base and fish and increasing
sustainability.