Study of Automated and Controlled Aquaponics System : An Innovative and Integrated Way of Farming

Abstract

At the moment, an attempt has been made to adapt, adapt and automate the Aquaponics System technology for the benefit of farmers and to tackle key issues such as food safety and water scarcity.Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic animals, and hydroponics which is growing plants without soil. Aquaponics uses these two in a symbiotic combination in which plants are fed the aquatic animal’s discharge or waste. In return, the vegetables clean the water that goes back to the fish. Along with the fish and their waste, microbes play an important role to the nutrition of the plants. These beneficial bacteria gather in the spaces between the roots of the plant and converts the fish waste and the solids into substances the plants can use to grow. Aquaponics considered a sustainable production system. It presents a series of beneficial features for the environment such as land conservation, efficient use of water and nutrients, organic fertilization, produce the highest yield on a field, no floor is required, environmental benefits etc. This study describes the overall design and working, list of the component required, cost involved in the setup, maintenance, and operation, advantages and disadvantages of the system. A automatic prototype has also proposed to created a to test the system sustainability.