ADVANTAGES OF AQUAPONICS

This is not an exaggeration. We can all observe that the conditions for growing food in traditional agriculture are gradually deteriorating. The health of the land and soil is declining, and farming it is too expensive and must therefore be supported with enormous public subsidies. Aquaponics is the perfect alternative to traditional agriculture and has the ambition to stand side by side with it, as equals, within a few years.

AQUAPONIC CYCLE

It is a closed, controlled cycle with artificial lighting, air circulation and water circuit with filtration.

1

Plants

The plants primarily purify the water so that it can be returned to the fish. In the water, the plants create a dense network of micro-roots, which very effectively absorb all the substances needed for healthy plant growth. At the same time, they remove nitrogen compounds from the water that would bother the fish. Plant growth is up to 30 % faster than in soil due to the abundance of nutrients and the precisely set conditions.

2

Fish

In the aquaponic cycle, the fish faeces provide nutrition for the plants. Animals have always provided fertiliser for plants, and plants have always served as fodder for animals. Today, agricultural practices do not reflect this principle anymore, which is regrettable and unwise. The difference from chemical fertilisers is mainly in the amount of microelements. While chemical fertilisers are based primarily on combined industrial fertilisers, the nutrient solution in aquaponics contains more than 50 elements and organic compounds. The nutrient solution therefore supplies the plants with a rich range of nutrients, which is reflected in their vitality and nutritional value.

3

Bacteria

Bacteria ensure the formation of a nutrient solution for the plants. The first bacterial decomposition process occurs in the intestines of the fish. This is followed by a second, two-stage bacterial decomposition process that takes place in the trap filters before it becomes fertiliser for the plants. This solution is formed as naturally as it would be in natural ecosystems and is a universal solution, which means that plants cannot be over-fertilised.

ADVANTAGES OF AQUAPONICS

Healthy diet

This is the most common reason why people choose aquaponics. Compared to supermarket chains, consumers can obtain high-quality, chemical-free food that is safe for human health. This is the best possible way to “produce” your own food.

Energy savings

Aquaponic systems are especially well-known for the energy savings they generate. Due to minimal system maintenance, energy savings of up to 70 % can be achieved compared to traditional horticulture.

Attractive source of income

You can either utilise the aquaponic system for your domestic needs only, or to significantly increase your financial income. By increasing your food production, you can sell the surplus.

Rapid plant growth

Plants have access to nutrients 24 hours a day. As a result, they grow much faster. For example, lettuce, which normally takes two months to grow, matures in one month in the aquaponic system.

Space saving

Due to the possibility of using vertical systems for plants, faster growth and year-round operation, Future Farming has no competitor within any other form of agricultural production.

A 1,000 m² farm produces the same amount of food and fish as an 18,000 m² field and a 20-hectare pond.

Easier work

Future Farming workers have a much easier job. No bent back to remove weeds, no chemical sprays or heavy field machinery. Everything is hygienically clean and at their fingertips. Weeds have nowhere to grow and workers only need to control whether the fish are happy.

No watering

The technical solution for aquaponic farming eliminates the need for irrigation or watering. The plants are constantly in contact with the nutrient solution and never suffer from lack of moisture.

No water infiltrates the surrounding environment or drains off. There is no risk of erosion and groundwater contamination, as is the case in conventional agriculture. The fields used for monocultures can therefore once again be cultivated in such a way that the soil retains water and that very important microorganisms and animals return to it, both of which were destroyed or eliminated through the use of chemicals and heavy machinery. As a result, the retention capacity of the landscape will increase, and, as a consequence, the process of soil desertification will stop.

OPPORTUNITY

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FAQs

What fruits, vegetables and fish can we produce with aquaponics?

In Future Farming, we can set the conditions for the fish and plants to the minutest detail. From water and air temperature to very precise pH or the level of oxygen dissolved in water. This enables us to farm almost any freshwater fish and animals and combine it appropriately with the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. We can also grow very exotic vegetables, which otherwise have to be imported from the other side of the world.

Why is lighting important in aquaponics?

Light supplies plants with energy. Our farms use sunlight, which is of course the best for plants. However, in our latitudes, we must also use artificial lighting, especially in winter. Thanks to advances in LED lighting technology and the latest research on photosynthesis and chlorophyll, we are now able to design lighting systems according to the needs of every plant. In this way, electricity consumption can be optimised and the plants get exactly what they need. Many years of research and testing stand behind these advances.

Recent studies by Dutch cultivation light manufacturers demonstrated that even under artificial lighting, a plant of the same quality can be grown as in sunlight. In this area we therefore rely on the latest technology.

Why are bacteria used in aquaponics?

Bacteria play a key role in the nutrient cycle. Just like a person has up to 10 kg of bacteria in their intestines to be able to effectively take nutrients from food, the aquaponic system needs bacteria to convert the waste products of the fish into nutrients for the plants. The first colony of bacteria lives in the intestines of the fish, where they process food. The second colony lives in the biological filters of the system. Both colonies are monitored and replenished if necessary. The key to making the process work effectively is to use special feed to which the bacteria are accustomed. If bacterial colonies are disrupted, for example by the use of chemicals or antibiotics, a fermentation or putrefaction process will start to prevail, thereby causing the entire aquaponic system to stop working. The use of such substances in aquaponics is therefore unacceptable. Colonies create a group of dozens of bacterial species that together do exactly what is needed. In this area, we have invested enormous resources into research on suitable bacterial species, which forms the core of our know-how. The inappropriate handling of feed and bacteria are the most common reasons why aquaponic systems do not work or collapse.

Is aquaponics better in an open or closed space?

Each application has its advantages and disadvantages. In an enclosed space, higher yields and year-round operation can be achieved. The downside is higher energy consumption.
For outdoor applications, energy consumption is minimal, but operation seasonal. Other differences lie in the demands placed on environmental hygiene and compliance with quality standards. Outdoor applications can never meet the quality standards set by AQP Food for foods of the highest quality.

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