The working of aquaponic systems. plant cuttings can be composted in a wormery (simplest definition is a container that holds worms and is used to compost) to provide food for the fish. the nutrient-rich water that results from a build-up of fish waste (feces, urine and urea) which can become toxic to the fish are converted by beneficial bacteria in the water into nitrites and then harmless. One of the workshops i run as part of my business (greenurbanliving.co.nz) is aquaponics. this is a food production system where fish are used to grow food. this is a food production system where. The aquaponics ecostation provides opportunity to enrich the curriculum for students and teachers with an interactive, hands on tool for learning..