Aquaponics: refers to any system that combines conventional aquaculture (which refers to raising aquatic animals like snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In standard aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity. In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponic system where the products are broken down and utilized by the plants as nutrients. Then, the water is recirculated back to the aquaculture system.