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Aquaponics: The Future of Urban Agriculture
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Microgreens10 min

Aquaponics: The Future of Urban Agriculture

How the system that combines fish farming and plant growing works, why it's the future of food, and how to start your own system.

Aquaponics combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (growing plants in water). Fish produce waste that bacteria convert into nutrients for plants. Plants filter the water that returns to the fish. A perfect cycle.

How Does Aquaponics Work?

Fish excrete ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates – ideal fertilizer for plants. Plants absorb nitrates and clean the water that returns to the fish.

ComponentFunctionExample
Fish tankHome for fishTilapia, carp, trout
BiofilterBacteria convert ammoniaClay balls
Growing bedPlants grow in waterLettuce, microgreens, herbs
Water pumpCirculates waterSolar or electric

Advantages of Aquaponics

  • ●90% less water consumption
  • ●No pesticides or herbicides
  • ●Double yield – fish + vegetables
  • ●Minimal space – works on a balcony
  • ●Year-round growing – independent of season

Start Your Own Mini System

  • ●Step 1: Set up aquarium (min. 80 liters) and add fish
  • ●Step 2: Wait 4–6 weeks for bacteria to develop
  • ●Step 3: Test water – ammonia must be 0, nitrates 20–40 ppm
  • ●Step 4: Plant microgreens in growing beds
  • ●Step 5: Feed fish, monitor pH (6.8–7.2), and enjoy

Aquaponics in Numbers

FactorTraditionalAquaponicsSavings
Water100%10%90% less
Space100%25%75% less
FertilizerPurchasedFish100% savings
PesticidesOften neededImpossible100% organic

🌍 By 2030, 68% of the world's population will live in cities. Aquaponics is one answer to the question: how do you feed cities?

Sources / Izvori

  1. Wirza R, Nazir S (2020). Urban aquaponics farming and cities- a systematic literature review. Rev Environ Health. PMID: 32885994
  2. Konrad A, Goddek S, Delaide B, Junge R, Schmautz Z, Maucieri C (2024). Assessing the fate and behaviour of plant nutrients in aquaponic systems by chemical equilibrium modelling: A meta-analytical approach. Water Res. PMID: 39151528
  3. Rakocy J, Masci T, Su Y, Daughs Z, Tursi C, Knoerdel M, Shultz R, Saez-de-Viteri M (2021). Improving Plant Health Through Nutrient Remineralization in Aquaponic Systems. Front Sustain Food Syst. PMID: 34164627
  4. Hassanien MH, El-Sayed AM, Abdel-Fattah MS, Abo-State H, Hussein H, El-Said HM (2024). Optimizing nutrient utilization, hydraulic loading rate, and feed conversion ratios through freshwater IMTA-aquaponic and hydroponic systems as an environmentally sustainable aquaculture concept. J Clean Prod. PMID: 38927906
  5. Sharma D, Kaviraj M, Kour D, Kaul S, Kumar V, Singh M, Kaur T, Aftab T, Bhardwaj R, Sharma S (2025). Integrated nutrient and feeding optimization strategies in aquaponics for sustainable urban food production and water conservation. Front Plant Sci. PMID: 39130768

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