Aqua/Hydroponics vs. Traditional farming

Hydroponics:

Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrients solutions, in water, without soil.

Pros: 
  • No soil is required, resulting in less space needed to grow plants.
  • Water is recycled so the cost of water is lower than traditional farming.
  • Can be utilized in cities, and on rooftops.
  • Plants no longer have to be seasonal, can be planted and harvested in any season.
  • With out soil, there are no pesky insects or other bacteria, and therefore there is no need for the use of pesticides, resulting in healthier fruits and vegetables.
  • Plants grow healthier.
  • No damaging pesticides used.
Cons:

  • Some plants cannot be grown by the use of hydroponics (i.e. those with long roots such as the carrot and radish)
  • The Startup cost for building a hydroponic system is expensive, and intense knowledge is needed to preserve it.
  • With only one nutrient source, if something goes wrong, all of the plants and animals will die.(I.E. waterborne disease)
  • If anything goes wrong with the watering system, plants die rapidly.

Aquaponics

Aquaponics is a system for farming fish and plants together in a mutually beneficial cycle.
Pros:

  • You do not need a large space to cultivate your crops.
  • No weeding to be done.
  • Plenty of water yields plenty of oxygen for plants to produce a great crop.
  • Can reduce growth time by half.
Cons: 
  • To start up your aquaponics system is initially expensive.
  • Checking that the climate and lighting controls are working properly.
  • Some systems can use up a lot of man-made energy.

Traditional farming: 

The cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel, drugs and other products used to sustain and enhance human life.

Pros:
  • Uses natural fertilizer such as animal waste and decomposed dead plants, resulting is healthier fruits and vegetables.
  • Large amounts of crops can be grown.
  • Helps keeps natural resources open.
Cons: 
  • The use of pesticides.
  • Crops  take longer to grow and harvest.
  • Dependent form of farming. A natural disaster such as a drought or flood could destroy many if not all crops.
  • Aide in pollution.