What is Aquaponics?

"Aquaponics is the synthesis of hydroponics (soilless gardening) & aquaculture (raising aquatic life). It is an elegant synergy- where two ecosystems are functioning together to produce a result not independently obtainable. Fish provide plants with nutrients to grow. Plants act as a bio-filter and purify the water for happier fish and we humans eat fresh, local food." - True Blue Aquaponics

The first time I saw an aquaponics system was in 1997 in NY at SUNY Cobleskill, where tilapia were growing together in a tank with duckweed. The fertilizer from the tilapia poop was helping the duckweed grow, so the tilapia were helping to grow their own food (since they eat it, anyway). Pretty cool, huh?
 

Little did I know that humans have been practicing aquaponics for centuries to survive. In fact, the Aztecs grew their food on floating rafts called "chinampas" in Lake Tenochtitlan, Mexico.

Here's a brief history of Aquaponics

As a fish keeper and gardener, I thought I'd give it a try.
After all, if the practice of aquaponics sustained the Incas, surely it could work.
But, I had a nagging question:
Can aquaponics really be viable way up here at the 42nd latitude?

Follow my blog to see...