Here are some highlights of aquaponics capabilities that i have experienced
-I never sterilize any thing at any stage. (lie! I do use tap water)
-I reuse every thing pots, razors, media. (even rockwool cubes with old roots still contained inside)
-descent growth, no rot with ambient air temps over 100(a good fan a must), water temp up to 90 degrees( before i added a homemade evaporator, now temp hover around 82-85 on the hottest day). I do get a fair amount of heat stress (vapor pressure). I need a better humidifier
-mothers, veg and flower, all feed and drain to same res. Clones drain to main res but are feed ro water and tap water, top down.
-no flush needed, yellowing at the end of life cycle is greatly reduced, (Strain dependent)
-continuously running water through an evaporator create negative ions that greatly reduce smells (until lights and fans come on) and creates good vibe and fresh air smell
-i check ph no more than once a weed (api test), paying close attention to the direction of ph drift
-i may check nitrates once a month, i never check ammonia, ppm, or DO. I do want a professional water analysis, (someday).
-less expensive over the long run
-once system matures growing feels like autopilot
here are the cons
-easy to to make system (hot) too nutrient rich -FIX, WATER CHANGE
-easy to create lockout due to nute imbalance - FIX (KNOW WHAT YOU START WITH) WATER CHANGE
-high ph -FIX, REMOVE BUFFERS IN MEDIA, DO NOT USE TAP WATER
-ph drifting to low below 6 - FIX ADD REMOVABLE BUFFER, ADD TAP WATER
-more water=greater chance of flood damage- FIX, better design (than mine)
-more evaporation than hydro due water movement necessary for fish health - FIX, none (evaporation is my friend in the summer)
-minimum passive filtration needed. especially when running NTF
-fish death often causes a nitrate spike and drain blockage and then flooded floor
-ro water or rain water is need for control of ph, tap water is occasionally added for buffering, micro nutes, and cloning purposes
-bugs, (good guys), black solider fly (good guy), stink bugs, drain flies, fruit flies, springtails, are a resident and hard to remove, but not really a nuance. The migrant bugs are the ones i fear, (house flies, bees, wasps that visit) for they may carry mites. I have had mites ones under aquaponics, "Hot Shot" air thingy fixed it.
-more expensive initial set up
-more commitment needed (steep learning curve), knowledge of fish health-easy, microbe health-very easy, plant health-hard. Each are not difficult on its' own. It is their synergistic connection that is difficult to master. Keen observation and patience are key.
-grow set up is not as mobile as hydro. Once set up you do not want to move it.