What is the Difference Between Hydroponics Aquaponics and Aeroponics

Plants do not always require soil or any medium for their growth. However, plants do require water, light, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and the right conditions to grow. In modern agriculture, three soilless growing methods are commonly used: hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.

The key difference between hydroponics aquaponics and aeroponics is their methods of growing plants. In hydroponics, plants grow suspended in water, while in aquaponics, plants grow using a unique combination of hydroponics and fish farming in an integrated system. On the other hand, aeroponics is a soilless growing technology where plants grow suspended in the air.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hydroponics 
3. What is Aquaponics  
4. What is Aeroponics
4. Similarities – Hydroponics Aquaponics and Aeroponics
5. Hydroponics vs Aquaponics vs Aeroponics in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Hydroponics Aquaponics and Aeroponics
7. Summary – Hydroponics vs Aquaponics vs Aeroponics

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is the most common soilless cultivation technique. In this technique, plants grow in a soilless substrate suspended in nutrient-rich water. There are different kinds of hydroponic variations, such as ebb and flow, nutrient film, drip systems, and deep-water culture. In this technique, plant seedlings grow in soilless substrates such as Rockwool or clay pellets. Moreover, each plant sits in a growing net that is suspended within a reservoir where water circulates through the system on a set schedule. Water delivers a formulated nutrient solution.

Figure 01: Hydroponics

Hydroponics requires significantly less labor to run. Some other disadvantages of hydroponics include the risk of power outages, waterborne diseases, the requirement of constant monitoring, and limited production.

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is an integration between two systems: fish farming and hydroponics. It is considered an efficient and environmentally friendly method. This technique starts with a fish farm. Firstly, farmers raise fish in tanks, and the fish waste goes through a multi-step process to remove the solids. Later, the bacteria and microbes transform the fish waste into a suitable nutrient-rich food for plants. The plants in this technique grow hydroponically. Moreover, plants filter and purify the water for reintroduction into the fish tanks.

Figure 02: Aquaponics

The advantages of this technique include efficient use of water and nutrients, sustainability, and eco-friendliness, as there is no need for harmful chemicals or pesticides. Additionally, it enables the production of both plants and fish for food, with low maintenance once established. On the other hand, the disadvantages of aquaponics include the need for energy to maintain pumps and filters, high initial investment costs, complexity in setup and maintenance, reliance on electricity and a stable water source, the requirement for careful management of fish health and welfare, and concerns about the failure of one part of the system affecting the other.

What is Aeroponics?

Aeroponics is a technique that eliminates the need for a water reservoir and was first pioneered by NASA. In this method, plants are cultivated in a soilless substrate and placed in a growing net, with their roots suspended in an enclosed, light-sealed tank. A specially engineered spray system delivers a nutrient solution directly to the roots on a strict schedule, making sure plants receive all necessary nutrients with minimal waste.

Figure 03: Aeroponics

The primary advantage of aeroponics lies in its exposure of roots to air, eliminating concerns about insufficient oxygen. However, disadvantages include high initial construction costs, the need for ongoing system maintenance, and a requirement for a high level of technical knowledge to operate effectively.

Similarities Between Hydroponics Aquaponics and Aeroponics

1. Hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics are three soilless plant-growing technologies.
2. These techniques make farming acceptable in the city.
3. These techniques use less space.
4. These techniques need less labor and more brain work.

Difference Between Hydroponics Aquaponics and Aeroponics

Definition

1. Hydroponics is the most common soilless growing technology where plants grow suspended in water.
2. Aquaponics is a less common soilless growing technology where plants grow using a unique combination of hydroponics and fish farming in an integrated system.
3. Aeroponics is a less common soilless growing technology where plants grow suspended in the air.

Commercial Viability

1. Hydroponics is considered less commercially viable.
2. Aquaponics shows greater commercial potential.
3. Aeroponics is generally less commercially viable.

Advantages

1. Hydroponics requires significantly less labor and incurs lower costs.
2. Aquaponics boasts efficient water and nutrient use, sustainability, the absence of harmful chemicals, the ability to produce both plants and fish, and low maintenance once established.
3. Aeroponics ensures roots have access to air, eliminating concerns about oxygen deficiency.

Disadvantages

1. Hydroponics faces risks such as power outages, waterborne diseases, the need for constant monitoring, and limited production compared to other methods.
2. Aquaponics necessitates energy for pump and filter maintenance, high initial investment, complexity in setup and maintenance, reliance on electricity and a stable water source, careful management of fish health, and concerns about system failure affecting other components.
3. Aeroponics incurs high initial construction costs, requires intensive system maintenance, and demands a high level of technical expertise.

Cost

1. A small hydroponic farm typically costs around USD $225 per pound.
2. The approximate cost to construct each aquaponic system is USD $3,000.
3. An aeroponic system can be built for less than USD $100.

The infographic below presents the difference between hydroponics aquaponics and aeroponics in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Hydroponics vs Aquaponics vs Aeroponics

Soilless plant cultivation is a relatively modern agricultural technology. It addresses challenges encountered in traditional soil-based farming, which can often result in lower yields. In hydroponics, plants grow suspended in water, while in aquaponics, plants thrive in a unique combination of hydroponics and fish farming within an integrated system. Aeroponics involves plants growing suspended in the air. This summary highlights the distinctions between hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.

FAQ: Hydroponics Aquaponics and Aeroponics

1. What is the difference between aeroponic and hydroponic yield?

• It is difficult to compare yields of different plant growing systems. If properly maintained, both aeroponic and hydroponic systems can produce more yield compared to soil-based growing systems.

2. Do plants grow faster in aeroponics?

• It is said that plants grow three times faster in aeroponic systems than in soil-based systems. This is because aeroponic systems ensure optimum growing conditions.

3. Do aeroponics need fertilizer?

• Aeroponic systems typically require a nutrient solution, which serves as a fertilizer for the plants. In aeroponics, plant roots are suspended in air and regularly misted with a nutrient solution containing essential minerals and nutrients. This method ensures that plants receive the necessary nutrients for growth and development despite the absence of soil.

4. Can you grow root vegetables with aeroponics?

• Root vegetables can be grown by aeroponics. While aeroponics is often associated with plants that have smaller root systems, such as herbs, leafy greens, and some fruits, it is also suitable for cultivating root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, radishes, and beets.

5. What is the main difference between aeroponics and hydroponics?

• The main difference between aeroponics and hydroponics is the way in which plants receive nutrients and water. In hydroponics, plants are submerged or suspended in a nutrient-rich water solution, whereas in aeroponics, plants are grown with their roots suspended in air and are misted with a nutrient solution.

Reference:

1. “Hydroponics.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc..
2. “What Is Aquaponics?” The Aquaponic Source.
3. Barth, Brian. “How Does Aeroponics Work?” Modern Farmer.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hydroponics” By Oregon State University (CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

2. “Aquaponics setup – Floating” By Waleed Alzuhair (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

3. “Aeroponically-grown kale at The Land” By Benjamin D. Esham (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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