STTE - Solutions and Technologies that matter
AQUAPONICS
Aquaponics is the system that combines conventional aquaculture ( raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish, or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment, Aquaponics is a sustainable method of raising both fish and vegetables. It is popular with individuals, entrepreneurs, educators, missions, and governments. Furthermore, with this type of indoor farming, you grow substantially more food with less water, land, and labor than traditional agriculture.
Aquaponics Benefits
In Aquaponics fish are the ones feeding your plants. Fish used in Aquaponics are freshwater fish, most popular being tilapia and barramundi; because they tolerate better diverse water conditions in addition to their fast-growing process. Trout can also be used, especially for lower water temperatures. Other aquatic animals you can grow are snails and shrimps.
You can feed the fish special food (that you can purchase in an animal store) or other foods, such as water lettuce, or duckweed. In a small aquaponic-based garden you can grow vegetables that don’t need heavy nutrient input. Lettuce, kale, watercress, arugula, decorative flowers, mint, herbs, okras, spring onions and leek, radishes, spinach, and other small vegetables. Cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, broccoli, and cauliflower can require more nutrition and a well-stocked or more advanced aquaponic system. Avoid growing plants that need acidic or alkaline water, because those levels of pH can definitely harm the fish.
How to Grow With Aquaponics in 6 Simple Steps:
AQUAPONICS GROWING TYPES
DEEPWATER CULTURE (DWC) OR RAFT BASED
Growing happens using a foam raft floating in a channel and filled with fish effluent water, water must be filtered and free of solid wastes. Plants are placed in holes in the raft, while their roots dangle freely in the water.
This method is most appropriate for growing salad greens and other fast-growing, relatively low-nutrient plants.
VERTICAL AQUAPONICS
One of the greatest aspects of Vertical Aquaponics is its ability to grow an incredible amount of food in microscopic areas, where plants are stacked on top of each other in tower systems, and water flows in through the top of the tower and through a wicking material that the plant’s roots absorb water and nutrients from. Water then falls into a trough or directly into the fish tank. Vertical Aquaponics works perfectly with leafy greens, strawberries, and other crops that do not require support to grow.
NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)
NFT systems work by flowing nutrient-rich water through a narrow trough, such as a PVC pipe. Plants are placed in holes drilled in this pipe, and the roots dangle freely in this stream of water. This method of growing works perfectly for plants that need little support, such as strawberries and other herbs. NFT is also a great way to utilize unused space because it can be hung from ceilings above other growing areas.
MEDIA-BASED AQUAPONICS
Media growing involves growing plants in inert planting media. The media provides both biological filtration (converse ammonia to nitrates) and mechanical filtration (remove solid wastes) in the same system. Media-based systems are great for home and hobby scale systems when you can grow a wide variety of crops. In particular, large fruiting plants.
How Does Aquaponics work?
As we have known about STTE, which is always interested in bringing the latest global technologies to the Saudi Arabian market, in addition to providing job opportunities for Sudi Arabian people, the company has brought in the latest technology in the world of Aquaponics at affordable prices to all society members whether they are companies, families or even small businesses.