There is no such thing as sustainable product, only the by-products of a sustainable system. To be sustainable first we must establish a closed loop system and its limits/carrying capcity, then the system must be properly managed and not under or over consumed.
Aquaponics is the embodiment of a sustainable system. The Basic premise of Aquaponics is that plants are grown in fish fertilized water and in turn the plants purify the water for the fish to live in, creating a symbiotic relationship. The 225L system displayed in the RCA graduate show provides as many as x10, 15cm plants per week. If the fish tank were made bigger to 500L it could support edible fish and crustacean stock such as tilapia, carp, prawns and fresh water muscles. Because it requires no soil it can be grown in vertical space such as city tower blocks. Aquaponics is suitable
for micro generation as well as mass agriculture. This method of producing food is highly water, energy and space efficient making aquaponics one important strategy to tackle the emerging national food security problems because of issues such as peak oil.
As aquaponics is still only used by backyard enthusiasts and in agricultural production the challenge was taking the existing expertise of scientists and giving aquaponics a form and context that could integrate into the lives of city dwelling people who would benefit from it most.
Supported by: Aquaponics UK, Aquatic Design Center