In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponic system where the by-products are broken down by nitrifying bacteria initially into nitrites and subsequently into nitrates that are utilized by the plants as nutrients. the water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system.. The beneficial bacteria discussed here are natural and will inhabit an aquaponic system as soon as ammonia and nitrite are present. essentially, you have three crops to keep alive in aquaponics; the fish, the plants and the beneficial bacteria.. The early stages of building an aquaponics system and preventing all your fish from dieing requires some careful pre-planning so the system can gently grow with the right population of bacteria and take off naturally without a strain on your nerves and patience..
Nitrogen is one of the most important plant elements, but making it available depends very closely on the ability of system bacteria to add oxygen to ammonia and nitrite (both toxic) to produce nitrate- a relatively benign form of nitrogen that is plant available. nitrifying bacteria in aquaponics.. Alternatively, if another aquaponic system is available, it is extremely helpful to share part of the biofilter as a seed of bacteria for the new system. this greatly decreases the time necessary for cycling the system.. For an aquaponics system to function properly, we depend highly on the bacteria and its function in the nitrogen cycle. to begin with, nitrogen really is the fundamental element for all living things on earth..
