Aquaponics vs Polyaquaculture: What's the Difference?

What is Aquaponics?

Can you explain the difference between aquaponics and polyaquaculture?

Answer:

The difference between aquaponics and polyaquaculture is that aquaponics integrates recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics into one system while polyaquaculture involves the simultaneous cultivation or growth of two or more compatible plants or organisms and especially crops or fish in a single area.

Aquaponics is a system that involves cooperation between plants and fish, deriving its name from the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. In an aquaponics system, water from a fish tank circulates through filters and plant grow beds before returning to the fish. This system comes in various sizes, from small indoor units to large commercial units.

On the other hand, polycultures have traditionally been grown in earthen ponds with limited research on polycultures in recirculating systems, including aquaponics. Aquaponics uses the effluents from recirculating aquaculture as a source of nutrients for hydroponics.

Therefore, the key distinction between aquaponics and polyaquaculture lies in their approach to integrating aquaculture and plant cultivation. Aquaponics directly utilizes fish waste to nourish plants, creating a symbiotic relationship between the organisms. In contrast, polyaquaculture focuses on cultivating multiple compatible plants or organisms in a single area without the direct interaction seen in aquaponics.