The basic schematics of the Recirculating Aquaponics System

Aquaponics is the raising of fish and hydroponics (growing of plants in water without soil) together as one.

The fish waste provides organic food for the growing plants and the plants naturally filter the water in which the fish live. All of this is made possible in a symbiotic world by beneficial bacteria and composting red wriggler worms. Beneficial bacteria live in every wet area in the system and their function is to convert ammonia from the fish waste that is toxic, to nitrites and then to nitrates that is taken up by the plants. The worms on the other hand break down the solids and decaying plant matter into nutrient rich vermicompost.