Hydroponics and Aquaponics

Por ryancloverowens | septiembre 26, 2025

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in water, without soil. Plants are typically grown in a solution of water and nutrients in containers such as buckets, tanks or tubes. Though systems vary in complexity, the solution is usually aerated using a pumping system. Similarly, aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics and includes raising fish and growing plants together in the same environment. While hydroponics requires extensive nutrients to feed the plants, as well as periodic flushing of the systems which can lead to waste disposal issues, combining both hydroponics and aquaculture may provide benefits. The challenges of each individual system becomes beneficial to the combined system. 

The products produced in an aquaponics system are typically leafy plants, vegetables and fish. Green leafy vegetables and herbs such as lettuce, arugula, and microgreens have been shown to do well in an aquaponic system; popular fish breeds include tilapia, trout and catfish. In this system, bacteria in the water convert ammonia wastes from the fish into nitrates that can be used by the plants. The plants extract the water and nutrients they need to grow, cleaning the water for fish.

Advantages of aquaponics:

  • Little soil is needed
  • It is a largely organic process with no need for external fertilizer input or pesticides
  • Farming can take place year-round
  • The process conserves water
  • Urban aquaponics centers could create jobs in cities

Aquaponics drawbacks:

  • Expensive start-up costs
  • Needs constant monitoring
  • Not completely a closed chain process, since fish food is a required input
  • Energy intensive

This sheet provides basic information on existing hydroponic and aquaponic systems to emulate or look to for guidance and resources. 

Urban Facilities and Resources

  • Gotham Greens, with facilities in New York City and Chicago Illinois, grows pesticide free produce in climate-controlled rooftop greenhouses. Their products are sold to restaurants, groceries and cooperative markets.
  • Bright Farms, with facilities in PA, MO, VA, and IL, was designed to conserve land, water, eliminate agricultural runoff and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing transport needs. Each facility grows a diversity of vegetables and greens using hydroponic systems.
  • The Greenhouse Lighting and Systems Engineering Consortium (GLASE) was in 2017 to support farmers in utilizing controlled environment agriculture (CAE) operations. GLASE has free webinars, research reports, and tools which may be helpful for those interested in hydroponics.
  • Cornell University offers an Aquaponics Short Course that runs annually.
  • The Massachusetts Ave Project in Buffalo, NY focuses on employing youth to work in the areas of Urban Farming and Aquaponics
  • Texas A&M Extension offers a variety of different aquaponics resources on their website, including guides and factsheets from other state extension programs. 
  • Recirculating Aquaculture, 4th Edition, by M.B. Timmons, T. Guerdat, B.J. Vinci, 2018
  • Aquaponic Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together, by Sylvia Bernstein, 2011
  • How to Hydroponics, 4th Edition, by Keith Roberto, 2003

New York Hydroponics Stores

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