ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IS A NECESSARY EDUCATION!

We have a new development that will provide income and education for our children.  "Aquaponic System"

Considering the importance of the integral formation in the Corporación Superarse, from the Orchard we intend to approach the children and adolescents to different experiences and formative scenarios that take into account their interests and strengthen their skills. This small space becomes an opportunity for environmental education (consumption, food, garbage and recycling).

With the collaboration of a group of professionals called "Green Farms", we are transforming the space where the Ecohuerta and a nearby terrace in an Aquaponic system.

We are currently in the final stage of the assembly, so we need your help to finish. We already have the tanks and the tubes for the sowing, but we still need:

Buy bacteria and fish
Tools for measuring the pH of water
Other implements and nutrients for the fish.

"With your contributions, we will achieve it very soon."

WHAT IS AQUAPONICS?

The most simple definition of Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the plants, and the plants naturally filter the water for the fish.

The third participants are microbes (nitrifying bacteria). These bacteria convert ammonia from the fish waste first into nitrites, and then into nitrates.  Nitrates are the form of nitrogen that plants can uptake and use to grow.  Solid fish waste is turned into vermicompost that also acts as food for the plants.

In combining both hydroponic and aquaculture systems, aquaponics capitalizes on their benefits, and eliminates the drawbacks of each.

This system has great advantages

• Aquaponics relies on the recycling of nutrient-rich water continuously. In aquaponics there is no toxic run-off from either hydroponics or aquaculture.
• Aquaponics uses only 1/10th of the water of soil-based gardening, and even less water than hydroponics or recirculating aquaculture.
• No harmful petro chemicals, pesticides or herbicides can be used. It’s a natural eco system!
• Gardening chores are cut down dramatically or eliminated. The aquaponics grower is able to focus on the enjoyable tasks of feeding the fish and tending to and harvesting the plants.
• Aquaponic systems can be put anywhere, use them outside.  By using grow-lighting, and space can become a productive garden.
• Aquaponic systems are scaleable! They can fit most sizes and budgets.
• And the best part – We get to harvest both plants and fish from our garden.