Aquaponics vs Hydroponics (Which one is best for you?)

Have you ever heard of aquaponics and hydroponics before? If not, what are you waiting for? Trust me, they are easy-to-use and effective methods. You’ll be amazed after learning about their advantages and determining which method suits you best.

To familiarize you with these methods, I’ve provided detailed information on aquaponics and hydroponics. This will help you easily decide which method is ideal for growing your plants. If you encounter any other issues, feel free to ask me in the comment section below.

Quick takeaways:

• As we all know that land is occupied by everyone and its demand is increasing due for various reasons. So, gardeners need to know about the methods that they can use to grow these plants.
• This led them to use the best methods named Aquaponics and Hydroponics.
• They both are soilless systems that can help you not to face any soil-borne diseases. 

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is the method by which you grow plants on an aquaponic farm. In this, water gets fed to the roots of the plants that hold the fish population. In short, the growing method that consists of fishes and plants, and both of them grow in similar surroundings is known as aquaponics. In this method, the waste of the fish gets collected and then converted into nitrates with the help of the bacteria. 

The advantages of Aquaponics are: 

• This method is fully organic. 
• It doesn’t contain any soil-related diseases.
• It doesn’t require any kind of fertilizer. 
• This method doesn’t involve any pesticides.

Disadvantages of Aquaponics are: 

• In this method, you will be required to feed the fish.
• The method is kind of complex to that of hydroponics. 
• It requires know-how in a large quantity. 
• This method demands bigger space. 

What is Hydroponics?

The method of growing plants in the grow lights but without any help of soil is known as hydroponics. It is known as the soilless system and has various types which perform similarly. In this method, the roots get nourished by the soluble nutrient solution which needs to be dissolved in the water. They can grow easily indoors in the best available environment. 

The advantages of hydroponics are: 

• This method is soil-free.
• The number of nutrients can be controlled in this method. 
• Soil-related diseases won’t be there.
• This method needs a small space to take place.

Disadvantages of Hydroponics are: 

• In this method, the cost of fertilizer is costlier. 
• You won’t get the fish in this method.

Aquaponics vs Hydroponics: which one is best for you?

As you know both of the above methods are being used to grow crops in the field without using any kind of soil. In short, they both are somewhat related to each other. 

1. Cultivation 

Aquaponics is being cultivated in a symbiotic nutrient system for plants and fish. Hydroponics, on the other hand, is cultivated with the help of a nutrient mix that is made by human beings. 

2. The source of nutrition 

In Aquaponics, what is the source of neutrons? It is that waste left from the fish. This waste can be used as a nutrient source in this. Whereas, the nutrient source is made by humans in hydroponics. 

3. Economical 

It is effective to choose aquaponics systems for your area as it is less costly. Aquaponic systems are cheap and can be afforded by anyone. On the other side, hydroponic systems are costlier and even do not give maximum productivity. 

4. Need for Maintenance 

Aquaponics need minimal maintenance as in this system, it occurs in a natural ecosystem of growth. Whereas hydroponics systems need to be checked daily which means that they need more maintenance as compared to aquaponics. 

5. pH level 

It is important to know that pH is an important part of those methods that depend on water for their growth. In aquaponics, the pH level should be approx  6.8-7.0 and it is said to be neutral.

On the other side, hydroponics systems need to have a Ph level of about 5.5-6.0. It makes the water somehow acidic. 

6. Level of productivity 

What about the productivity of both systems? It takes about 6 months after the aquaponics garden sets up fully as compared to the hydroponics system. 

Both of the methods are great, it is just how you tackle the problem that you face in any of the systems that you have adopted. So, use the methods to get the maximum yield. 

Are there any Similarities between aquaponics and hydroponics? 

Yes, there are various similarities between both methods. Do you know the point of similarities between them? If yes, then you are doing great. But if not, then it is important to know. So, let’s begin:

1. Season of Production 

Both of the methods have a long-term growing season when it comes to the traditional method.

You might be wondering why. As these methods are used inside the house, so, you tend to grow the plants all long year. 

2. What about growth?

In both of the systems, the plants that you have grown will give you growth of about 30 to 40 % as compared to the other methods of growing. 

3. Fewer pests infections 

Both of the systems are pest-free. But why? It is because the plants are planted inside the house, so pests and insects come once in a while to harm your plants. It will lead to less use of chemicals. 

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know about the two methods that are aquaponics and hydroponics. Both methods are easy to use and effective. It is beneficial for you to use any of the methods. But you might be confused about which method is best for you, right? So, you need to know about it. Read the article to understand them properly. 

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