A History of Aquaponics- Where Does Aquaponics Come From?Do you want to know more about aquaponics? Then starting with the history of aquaponics seems like the first logical step.

OK so now you’re asking why should learn about the history of aquaponics and what has it got to do with me?

Well, as an 8 year veteran of aquaculture I believe having an understanding of where aquaponics began will allow you a rare appreciation of this organic food producing technique others simply don’t have.

With your greater appreciation of the history of aquaponics you will be able to build on solid foundations as your advance your aquaponics knowledge. Slowly building up your confidence and permitting an increased chance of success when it comes to building and maintaining your own system.

A History of Aquaponics – Where Did It All Begin?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to “who invented aquaponics? The first camp argues for the Aztecs who grew crops on artificial agricultural islands in harmony with fish who were reared alongside these islands where the architects of aquaponics.

They used the “fish poop” to fertilize the crops and called their system “chinampas”. In their aquaculture system they grew a wide variety of crops such as maize, squash and other plants in tandem with rearing fish for food too.The Aztecs were immersed in their aquaculture efforts from the 1400’s onwards.The opposing camps in the history of aquaponics camp favor the ancient Chinese of the 6th century.

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The counter argument is 6th century Chinese farmers who reared ducks in cageswith partially open floors positioned above a pond of finfish were the founders of aquaculture.

The farmers also reared catfish in another pond into which water from the finfishpond would be drained. In this arrangement the finfish were fed with duck droppings whilst the catfish were fed with the waste from the finfish.

Then any “leftover food” was used to supply the nutrients to the rice in the paddyfields. This seems like perfect harmony to me and it’s why the Chinese get my vote as founders of aquaponics.

A History of Aquaponics – How Did We Get To Modern Aquaponcs

What we view today as aquaponics dates back to much more recent times. In 1969 a couple who are heroes of mine John and Nancy Todd along with William McLarney founded the New Alchemy Institute.Their ground breaking idea was to build a “proto ark” which would be a self-sufficient, solar powered bio-shelter that would allow a family to survive year round using holistic methods to grow vegetables, rear fish as well as provide shelter.

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A History Of Aquaponics – The 1980’s

Next we move on to the 1980’s where Mark McMurty and Prof. Doug Sanders produced the first acknowledged “closed loop” aquaponics system. In Sanders and McMurty’s system effluent from fish tanks was used to “trickle-irrigate” cucumbers and tomatoes grown in sand beds that doubled up as bio-filters. In this system the water drained from the sand beds flowed back into the fish tanks.

A History Of Aquaponcs – The Early 1990’s

Then we move on to the 1990’s where Tom and Paula Sperano revised the McMurty and Sanders system to create their “Bioponics” concept. The Speraneo’s grew vegetables and herbs in ebb and flow gravel grow beds which were irrigated by nutrient rich water from a 2200 liter tank containing Tilapia theywere raising.

Tom and Paula were the first to use gravel grow beds effectively in an aquaponics system. Their system was seen to work and be productive and was replicated throughout the world by keen enthusiasts looking to grow crops and rear fish in organic harmony.

A History of Aquaponics A Conclusion

Well I wanted to give you a brief overview of how aquaponics came to be. The history of aquaponics is an interesting one and it is possible to research further.

The Aquaponics time-line I have given you is the accepted trajectory for how we got to where we are today with modern aquaponics.

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Aquaponics A Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my brief guide to he history ofaquaponics. Aquaponics is easy ANYONE can doit.

I know that you can easily start your ownaquaponics system and be feeding you familyhealthy organic food within 60 days.

That is why I want to give you a free copy of my infokit “A Quick Introduction to Aquaponics” so you canjoin this food production revolution today.

For you free copy of our Aquaponics info kit click here right now.

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Watch our free set up video by clicking right here now

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• Have fresh organic produce all year round• Feed your family healthy nutritious food with no

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