This is covered in Chapter 3 in the iAVs Handbook.
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No. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, with the latter being a non-soil system. iAVs, on the other hand, is the combination of aquaculture and horticulture, which is a soil-based system.
In hydroponics, plant nutrients are typically in the form of non-organic chemical salts. In most instances of aquaponics, organic compounds from fish wastes are usually supplemented with non-organic elements, particularly metal elements (especially Iron), as well as commonly Potassium and Boron.
In iAVs (sandponics), all nutrient elements except for Nitrogen are delivered in organic form and made plant available by the microbial populations in the biofilter.
Nitrogen plays a vital role in agriculture, including integrated aquaculture systems, and is non-organic. A complete, balanced fish feed ration in iAVs/sandponics ensures that all plant essential elements are proportionally available.
Some commercial feed rations are high in Sulphur and Zinc but moderately deficient in Boron for certain Solanaceae species like tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. In case of Boron deficiency symptoms, sprinkle a small amount of Boric acid powder into the furrows.
Boric acid can also be used to eliminate roaches and ants (avoid using near the biofilter). Additionally, a 100 gram bottle of Boric acid will last for a long time.
Admin Changed status to publish 1 January 2025