Aquaponics explained... a bit

I'm a simpleton but that doesn't mean I don't like to dig into some complex concept. While there is a ton of information on aquaponics, there are some basic principles that I have manage to distill from the vast cloud of knowledge on the Internet. Fish live in water, they eat food and do their business in that water. This introduces nitrites and ammonia to the water, which if not dealt with will kill said fish. With typical home aquariums you would use charcoal filters and periodic water changing to combat these rising levels of nitrites and ammonia. But with the help of bacteria plants can can breakdown and absorb the fishy waste water. The plants get a meal and the fish gets fresh water back.

Here I'll break it down Barney style for you:

Stolen from http://theaquaponicsource.com/