Because of the way the system constantly runs, with nutrient-rich water being pumped into the grow beds 24 hours a day, the plants grow and vegetate extremely quickly. With the right kind of manipulated light, we can create an artificial ecosystem that runs nearly as perfect as nature intended, with each component in the system helping the next one out.
An aquaponic system is much like a great bottle of wine; the older it gets, the better it gets. Vegetable yields increase dramatically the older the system gets, because the fish get bigger and create more waste, and the build-up of beneficial bacteria increases, which helps break down the waste even quicker. Growers have seen their yields increase by up to 30-40% in the second year of the system running. With the added component of solar power, a completely off-grid system can be created.
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/045615_aquaponics_drought_solutions_farming.html#ixzz4BkvatZMY