Dr. rakocy at the university of the virgin islands (uvi) was the first person to develop an aquaponic raft system (or dwc, deep water culture system) on a commercial scale. his success with the large aquaponic raft system has provided data, ratios, and management practices which laid a foundation for growers all over the world. in an aquaponic raft system, rafts float over water channels and the plants grow from the top of the raft with their roots dangling in the solution below.. For the uninitiated, deep water culture (dwc) or raft systems use a tank with nutrient solution (fertilized either with fish waste or a hydroponic fertilizer). a raft floats on top of the water, and plants on the raft dangle their roots into the solution below. plants are supported on the raft with net pots or other tools like grow grips..
