Hydroponic and aquaponic farming are two different farming methods that involve different applications of crops. Though you may associate both ‘hydro’ and ‘aqua’ with water, only one involved water heavily (aqua).
Aquaponic farming is the practice of farming crops and fish together in the same environment. Basically, crops are put in a tank with fish and water. The waste that the fish produce acts as a natural “fertilizer” or food for the crops, making them grow. The crops on the other hand, act as a sort of filtration system, which keeps the environment clean for the fish. Aquaponic farming is relatively cheap compares to hydroponic farming because all that is needed is food for the fish, which is usually not costly. This type of farming is also considered more stable as it mimics a natural ecosystem. Moreover, aquaponic crops are considered organic and the system does not need any pesticides.
Hydroponic farming refers to the practice of growing crops without soil, but rather in a nutrient-rich water solution. The crops are “planted” in this solution, which provides them with all the essential nutrients they need to grow. This method is used more commonly, specifically to grow crops such as basil, tomato, and lettuce in the United States. This type of farming is often considered the more costly of the two as the chemical nutrients can be quite expensive. Another issue with hydroponic farming is that the chemical balance is the water is quite sensitive, and the water often has to be replaced due to it becoming dangerous for the plants. However, hydroponic systems are usually very reliable as they produce efficiently and lead to high yields of products.
Overall, both of these farming methods are considered more sustainable than traditional farmings and both provide great benefits to both the farmer and the consumer!
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