Aquaponics and hydroponics, what’s the difference ?

Hydroponics is a soilless growing method in which plant roots are immersed directly in nutrient-enriched water. This water contains a precise nutrient solution, composed of soluble mineral fertilizers that provide plants with all the essential elements for growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and various trace elements.

Plants can grow in a neutral substrate such as clay pebbles, rock wool, or perlite, or directly in water. A pump ensures the continuous circulation of this nutrient solution to feed the roots. To ensure proper growth, it is essential to constantly monitor water parameters, such as pH, temperature, and nutrient concentration.

Widely used in intensive agriculture, particularly in greenhouses, hydroponics is particularly suited to market garden crops such as tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers. It allows for high, rapid, and consistent yields throughout the year.

Aquaponics goes further by combining aquaculture and hydroponics (hence its name: aquaponics). It draws inspiration from the functioning of natural ecosystems to create a virtuous loop where nothing is wasted. Fish produce waste rich in ammonia. Bacteria transform this ammonia into nitrites, then into nitrates that are easily assimilated by plants. The latter use these nutrients to grow, while purifying the water, which then returns to the fish pond.

This system relies on a fragile but powerful biological balance, in which each player, fish, plants, and bacteria, plays an essential role. Aquaponics uses no chemical fertilizers, since the nutrients come directly from fish waste. It therefore allows for the production of both vegetables and fish in an environmentally friendly system, perfectly illustrating the principle of circular and sustainable agriculture.

Hydroponics appeals for its high productivity and ease of installation. It allows for the control of every parameter to achieve fast and consistent harvests, making it a preferred solution for intensive agriculture. However, this efficiency relies on a constant reliance on chemical fertilizers and requires constant water monitoring, which results in recurring costs and a sometimes questionable environmental impact.

Aquaponics, on the other hand, requires a higher initial investment and a learning curve to find the right balance between fish, plants, and bacteria. But once the system is stabilized, it becomes remarkably self-sufficient and offers dual production : vegetables on one side and fish on the other. Its low water consumption and closed-loop operation make it a more sustainable model, designed to be environmentally friendly and responsible.

Rather than wondering which system to adopt, it's interesting to imagine the place hydroponics and aquaponics could have in the agriculture of tomorrow. These soil-less techniques meet the challenges of a world where arable land is becoming scarce, water is becoming precious, and proximity between production and consumption is essential. Hydroponics is already making its mark in industrial greenhouses to ensure consistent yields, while aquaponics, still emerging, is appealing for its sustainable dimension and its ability to bring consumers closer to their food. Together, they pave the way for urban farms, educational projects, and even cultivation in extreme environments, such as deserts or space projects.

Beyond the technical aspect, choosing between hydroponics and aquaponics comes down to adopting a certain vision of the relationship we have with nature. Hydroponics embodies total human control over the plant : each nutrient is measured, each parameter is controlled, and cultivation becomes an almost industrial process. Aquaponics, on the other hand, illustrates a more organic approach, where humans strive to support an already existing natural cycle. It emphasizes cooperation between living beings and the search for balance rather than simply optimizing yield. One is not better than the other : they are two philosophies that reflect different ways of approaching the question of food.