Discover the history of aquaponics on our short guide. Learn where aquaponics began to modern day aquaponics and everything in between.

2. A History of Aquaponics- Where
Does Aquaponics Come From?
Do you want to know more about aquaponics? Then starting with the history of
aquaponics seems like the first logical step.
OK so now you’re asking why should learn about the history of aquaponics and
what has it got to do with me?
Well, as an 8 year veteran of aquaculture I believe having an understanding of
where aquaponics began will allow you a rare appreciation of this organic food
producing technique others simply don’t have.
With your greater appreciation of the history of aquaponics you will be able to
build on solid foundations as your advance your aquaponics knowledge. Slowly
building up your confidence and permitting an increased chance of success
when it comes to building and maintaining your own system.
A History of Aquaponics – Where Did It All Begin?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to “who invented aquaponics?
The first camp argues for the Aztecs who grew crops on artificial agricultural
islands in harmony with fish who were reared alongside these islands where the
architects of aquaponics.
They used the “fish poop” to fertilize the crops and called their system
“chinampas”. In their aquaculture system they grew a wide variety of crops such
as maize, squash and other plants in tandem with rearing fish for food too.
The Aztecs were immersed in their aquaculture efforts from the 1400’s onwards.
The opposing camps in the history of aquaponics camp favor the ancient
Chinese of the 6th
century.
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3. The counter argument is 6th
century Chinese farmers who reared ducks in cages
with partially open floors positioned above a pond of finfish were the founders of
aquaculture.
The farmers also reared catfish in another pond into which water from the finfish
pond would be drained. In this arrangement the finfish were fed with duck
droppings whilst the catfish were fed with the waste from the finfish.
Then any “leftover food” was used to supply the nutrients to the rice in the paddy
fields. This seems like perfect harmony to me and it’s why the Chinese get my
vote as founders of aquaponics.
A History of Aquaponics – How Did We Get To
Modern Aquaponcs
What we view today as aquaponics dates back to much more recent times. In
1969 a couple who are heroes of mine John and Nancy Todd along with William
McLarney founded the New Alchemy Institute.
Their ground breaking idea was to build a “proto ark” which would be a self-
sufficient, solar powered bio-shelter that would allow a family to survive year
round using holistic methods to grow vegetables, rear fish as well as provide
shelter.
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4. A History Of Aquaponics – The 1980’s
Next we move on to the 1980’s where Mark McMurty and Prof. Doug Sanders
produced the first acknowledged “closed loop” aquaponics system.
In Sanders and McMurty’s system effluent from fish tanks was used to “trickle-
irrigate” cucumbers and tomatoes grown in sand beds that doubled up as bio-
filters. In this system the water drained from the sand beds flowed back into the
fish tanks.
A History Of Aquaponcs – The Early 1990’s
Then we move on to the 1990’s where Tom and Paula Sperano revised the
McMurty and Sanders system to create their “Bioponics” concept. The
Speraneo’s grew vegetables and herbs in ebb and flow gravel grow beds which
were irrigated by nutrient rich water from a 2200 liter tank containing Tilapia they
were raising.
Tom and Paula were the first to use gravel grow beds effectively in an
aquaponics system. Their system was seen to work and be productive and was
replicated throughout the world by keen enthusiasts looking to grow crops and
rear fish in organic harmony.
A History of Aquaponics A Conclusion
Well I wanted to give you a brief overview of how aquaponics came to be. The
history of aquaponics is an interesting one and it is possible to research further.
The Aquaponics time-line I have given you is the accepted trajectory for how we
got to where we are today with modern aquaponics.
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5. Aquaponics A Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my brief guide to he history of
aquaponics. Aquaponics is easy ANYONE can do
it.
I know that you can easily start your own
aquaponics system and be feeding you family
healthy organic food within 60 days.
That is why I want to give you a free copy of my info
kit “A Quick Introduction to Aquaponics” so you can
join this food production revolution today.
For you free copy of our Aquaponics info kit click here right now.
Or you can go ahead and get your aquaponics blueprint today!
Watch our free set up video by clicking right here now
...and learn how you can set up an aquaponics system
right in your own backyard so you can:
• Have fresh organic produce all year round
• Feed your family healthy nutritious food with no
added chemicals
• Save on your monthly food bill
Even if you have few DIY skills using our new guide Aquaponics Secrets
Learn more about building your own aquaponics system click here now.
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