Welcome to the World of Aquaponics

Kyle Brookens

Contents

• Part 1 – The Nitrogen Cycle

• Part 2 – Types of Aquaponic Systems

• Part 3 – Pump Considerations

• Part 4 – Recommended Fish

• Part 5 – Ideas for Design

• Part 6 – Resources

Part 1 - The Nitrogen Cycle

Part 2 - Types of Aquaponic Systems

• NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

Part 2 - Types of Aquaponic Systems

• Raft or (DWC) Deep Water Culture

Part 2 - Types of Aquaponic Systems

• Flood and Drain

Part 2 - Types of Aquaponic Systems

• CHOP (Constant Height, One Pump)

Part 2 - Types of Aquaponic Systems

• Ebb and Flow

Pump is on a timer.

Example of a slight variation where no timer is necessary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOaS5OtIsbs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOaS5OtIsbs

Part 2 - Types of Aquaponic Systems

• Aquaponics is a new field of Agriculture and it is evolving everyday! This is what makes it so interesting and exciting.

• This is not an exhaustive list of all types of systems, but an introduction to what is possible with how you can design your system.

• There are several hybrid systems out there, so I encourage experimentation and modification with the types presented here.

• Growing Spaces pilot program in the 18’ Growing Dome is utilizing a hybrid system developed by Murray Hallam in Australia (CHOP 2).

• This link is fun: http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/

http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/http://www.ecofilms.com.au/how-an-aquaponics-system-works-animation/

Part 3 - Pump Considerations

*The pump is like the “heart” of the Aquapoinic closed loop system. Without it, nothing functions. For this reason, it is recommended to always have a backup

pump on hand.

The size of your pump is based on the type and size of your system design. It is important to make sure that the pump will have a minimum flow of 400 Gallons Per Hour (GPH) at the maximum height that the water needs to be pumped to (A.K.A. Head Height). For small scale systems, the pump shown here works very well.

Magnetically driven pumps like this one made by Active Aqua are designed to run continuously. They last several years if maintained properly and are energy efficient.

Part 3 - Pump Considerations

*The rule of thumb here is to ensure that the entire volume of your system is cycled through once every 2-3 hours. You must also consider the DISTANCE that the water has to travel. The further the water travels, the more power you will

need from your pump to push water (x) distance and (y) height.

For large scale systems that utilize the NFT or DWC type of aquaponic system, you will need a much larger pump. Commercial systems must move a massive volume of water throughout the day, so you have to ensure that the pump is powerful enough to continuously move all that weight (remember how much water weights).

Submersible pumps like the one at the top right work well for small systems, but larger systems often require more powerful utility pumps like the one on the left.

Part 4 - What Kind of Fish?

• Tilapia – Need 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit water at all times. – Easy to breed, heavy feeders.

• Perch – Prefer 63 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit, but can handle similar temps as Largemouth Bass. – Not that tasty or attractive.

• Largemouth Bass – Varied diet. – Ideal temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but can survive 90- -30. – Survives well in shallow waters.

• Carp – Easy to breed. – Hardy and adaptable.

• Catfish – Fast Growing. – Have to be skinned to eat.

• Trout – Need 50- -4 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. – Need deep waters to survive.

• Goldfish/Koi – Aesthetics. – Very hardy and can handle various temperatures. – Not recommended to eat. – Long lifespan.

*No matter where you get your fish, make sure that the source is certified disease free.

Part 5 - Ideas

Part 6 - Resources

• http://theaquaponicsource.com/

• https://www.brightagrotech.com/

• http://www.aquaponics.net.au/

• http://www.affnanaquaponics.com/

• http://aquaponicsassociation.org/

• http://tilapiasource.com/

• http://beaversfishfarm.com/

• http://www.homegrownponics.com/

This book by Sylvia Bernstein is a wonderful manual that every aquaponic gardener

should have.

http://theaquaponicsource.com/https://www.brightagrotech.com/http://www.aquaponics.net.au/http://www.affnanaquaponics.com/http://aquaponicsassociation.org/http://tilapiasource.com/http://beaversfishfarm.com/http://www.homegrownponics.com/

Thank You & Welcome to the World of Aquaponics!