Commercial Aquaponics System |
What is Aquaponics?Aquaponics is a closed, recirculating agro-ecosystem that integrates aquaculture and the cultivation of soil less plants (hydroponics) in an aquaponics system fish generate nutrients that are used by the plants to grow. In return the plants help purify and clean the water before it is returned to the fish tank,
In saltwater aquaponics you can grow algae and salt-tolerant plants (known as halophytes). Marine aquaponics systems can be operated at lower salinity levels so they can culture more traditional horticultural species that are tolerant to higher levels of salinity. |
Types of Aquaponic Systems
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There are three different styles of aquaponics, media based, deep flow/raft and NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)
Media based is the most common type of aquaponics that is used in backyard systems. Deep flow/ raft is mainly used in commercial situations and the NFT design is the least used in both backyard and commercial systems. We have chosen to use the deep flow design for our saline aquaponics system that we are researching as it is the most efficient on a more commercial scale. This design of system is constructed with long channels which hold water at a depth of approximately 30-40 cm deep, with boards made of any floating material (e.g. Styrofoam or plastic). Holes get drilled into the boards and net pots are fitted into them. The plants can either be sown directly into the net pots or transplanted from other growing areas. The plants grow with their roots continually immersed in the long channel of water. |
How to have a successful system |
Dissolved Oxygen: All fish require dissolved oxygen to survive. The amount of oxygen the water can hold depends on the properties of the water.. Factors that will change the level of dissolved oxygen in the system include how many fish there are in the tank (more fish, less oxygen), temperature (higher temperature, less oxygen) salinity of the water (high concentration of dissolved salts, less oxygen ( Although with the use of saltwater fish, they’ll be more used to the levels of salt), the use of air diffusers (smaller bubbles, more oxygen) and the fact that high oxygen depletion occurs shortly after feeding. The water will only absorb a certain amount of oxygen before it becomes saturated.
Water Temperature- The temperature of the water is critical for fish survival. A big drop or rise in the temperature can induce a state of shock in the fish, possibly causing death. Each species has a different temperature range and depending on the climate in the area the system is, heating or cooling will be needed. pH Levels- The pH is a way of expressing the number of hydrogen ions in the water. Pure distilled water has a pH level of 7 which is classified as neutral. The pH scale ranges from 0-14. Anything below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline. Water Hardness- Depending on its source, water can have many dissolved compounds. The more of the dissolved material in the water, the harder the water is The water hardness is used to show the total concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water, and is measured in parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate. Nutrients- Both macro nutrients and micro nutrients are essential for the plants in an aquaponics system. Most of the nutrients come from the fish waste, which has been produced from the ingredients of the fish food. Plants can grow with little nutrients but the taste and look of the plant will be compromised. Water Testing- Testing the water of your aquaponics system is essential to know how well your system is performing. You can also look back over time to see how much specific levels have changed if records of each test are kept. Keeping records can also give you a good indication of what a balanced system really is. |
What type of
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All water used in Aquaponics has to be free of toxic chemicals, and if it is possible, has little or no suspended solids (clay). The use of saltwater in aquaponics systems, whilst it might not be the first decision when choosing your water source, still has the potential of being used. Plant selection when using saltwater is limited and is generally used to grow products such as kelp.
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The Main Components of an Aquaponics System |
The following items are needed when making an aquaponics system:
« Fish tank « Growing beds « Water Pump « Aeration Pump « A Biofiltration System « A Mechanical Filtration system « Plumbing for irrigation and drainage « Fish and plants (seeds) « Water (salt water) |
