The technique of cultivating food known as aquaponics mixes the procedures of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (plant growth without soil). By merging these two approaches, aquaponics presents an opportunity to produce food that conserves resources, is eco-friendly, and results in superior-quality crops.
How Does Aquaponics Work?
Aquaponics involves transforming the waste discharged by fish into nutrients through the action of helpful bacteria, which are subsequently assimilated by plants that filter the water for the fish. Such an approach results in a self-contained cycle, which, unlike conventional farming, consumes only 10% of the water and yields both fish and vegetables year-round within limited premises.
The concept of aquaponics is rooted in the symbiotic connection between fish and plants. Through this method, fish discharge waste that is transformed into essential nutrients required by plants for their sustenance. As a result, the plants act as a natural filtration system, cleansing the water and providing a healthy and hygienic setting for the fish to prosper.
The Benefits of Aquaponics
The rising popularity of aquaponics among sustainable food enthusiasts, gardeners, and farmers is due to its numerous advantages. The following are some of the benefits of aquaponics.
- Sustainability: Aquaponics uses less water than traditional growing methods and doesn’t rely on harmful chemicals or pesticides to produce fresh and healthy harvests of fish, fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
- High Yield: Aquaponics can produce a high yield of fish and plants in a small space all year round (if done in an indoor setup). Plants grow faster in aquaponics systems because of their constant access to nutrient-rich water.
- Fresh, Nutritious Produce: Aquaponic systems can grow a variety of fresh produce that is high in nutrients and free from harmful chemicals. Because the plants grown in aquaponics are free from fertilizers and other chemicals.
- Reduced Water Usage: Aquaponics uses up to 90% less water than traditional agriculture because the water is recycled through the system.
- Easy to Maintain: Once fully established and working, aquaponic systems are easy to maintain and require less work than traditional agriculture.
- Educational: Aquaponics can be an excellent tool for teaching children and adults about sustainable agriculture and science related to biology, chemistry, and physics.
Things to Consider Before Starting an Aquaponics System
Gathering adequate information on crucial components is necessary when designing your aquaponics system.
- Personal Considerations
Select the aquaponics system you wish to implement from a range of options including media-based systems, raft systems, NFT systems, or a combination of these systems.
- What are the goals and purpose of your aquaponics system?
Have you determined the function of your aquaponics system? Have you identified the specific plants and fish species you intend to cultivate and rear? Do you intend to consume the fish you grow? Pondering over these inquiries will assist in devising an appropriate plan for your system and selecting a method that suits your objectives and intentions.
- Do you like to do-it-yourself (DIY)?
Are you inclined towards DIY projects when it comes to building things, or do you lean towards buying preassembled systems? One of the key decisions you need to make while planning your aquaponics system is whether you want to create your own setup or purchase a pre-made one that requires no setup.
Although DIY Aquaponics requires experimentation, it can still be a satisfying and enjoyable way to learn. On the other hand, if you prefer a tested system that operates efficiently and comes with expert assistance, a pre-made aquaponics system is available for purchase.
- Environmental Considerations
- Humidity: In an aquaponics system, the water flow is constant, so you must consider your space’s natural evaporation and increased moisture.
- Water Spillage: Your fish tank or aquarium can leak. Therefore, the area where you want to create your system is an area that can get wet.
- Lighting: Plants need light to grow. All plants require sunlight for photosynthesis, which converts light, oxygen, and water into carbohydrates (energy). Plants need this energy to produce, bear fruit, and bloom.
Although sunlight is the optimal lighting source for plants in an aquaponics setup, indoor systems need supplementary grow lights to cater to their light requirements. The artificial lighting used must be chosen with care, as plants assimilate wavelengths outside our visual spectrum.
- Location and Space Considerations
When deciding on the location for your aquaponic system, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.
- Access to natural light: Plants require enough light to grow, so choose a location where natural light or sunshine is accessible.
- Temperature: Choose a location where the temperature can easily be regulated. Consider installing a heater or air conditioner to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Water source and drainage: Your aquaponic system will require a constant water supply, so choose a location near a reliable water source. Also, ensure that your location has adequate drainage to prevent water from accumulating around the system.
- Electrical outlet: Your aquaponic system will require an electrical outlet to power the water and air pumps. So choose a location near an outlet or consider using an extension cord to reach a nearby outlet.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is vital to prevent the buildup of humidity and to ensure that there is adequate airflow for the plants and fish.
Types of Aquaponics Systems
There are several types of aquaponic systems, such as media-based, raft systems, nutrient film technique, and hybrid systems. Each one has its pros and cons, therefore, it’s crucial to select the system that suits your needs and space constraints best.
- Media-Based Aquaponics System
Out of all types of aquaponics systems, the media-based one reigns as the most widespread. The setup involves cultivating plants in a medium like gravel or expanded clay pellets, creating a platform for advantageous bacteria to decompose fish feces and transform it into nourishment. The water is subsequently circulated back into the fish tank.
- Raft System
Also known as the Deep Water Culture (DWC), the raft system of aquaponics is one of the most efficient aquaponics system designs. This system is often used in large-scale or commercial aquaponics systems because of its mass production capability.
The plants in this setup are positioned on rafts over the fish tank water, with their roots hanging down and benefiting from the breakdown of fish waste by beneficial bacteria that supply nutrients.
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System
The simplicity and effectiveness of the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) in some environments has made it a suitable hydroponic growing technique for aquaponics. This technique utilizes horizontal PVC pipes through which nutrient-rich water streams flow shallowly. It is widely used in commercial aquaponics and is also beneficial in urban areas where food production and limited space are major concerns.
- Hybrid Aquaponics System
A combination of different aquaponics systems is used in a hybrid aquaponics system. For commercial purposes, hybrid systems are preferred due to their use of space and efficiency. An instance of a hybrid system is the integration of raft and media-based systems.
Aquaponics System Maintenance
It is crucial to maintain your aquaponic system to keep its health and productivity intact. Consistent checking and cleansing are significant to guarantee that the water quality remains ideal for both fish and plants, and to ensure that the equipment functions correctly.
- Monitoring and Adjusting Water Levels
An essential part of maintaining an aquaponic system involves keeping a close watch on water levels and making adjustments as needed. It is crucial to monitor the water level in the fish tank as it naturally decreases due to plant absorption and evaporation. To maintain the proper water level, it is necessary to add water regularly.
- Cleaning and Maintenance Schedule
Keeping your aquaponic system well-maintained and regularly cleaned is crucial for ensuring its optimal health and productivity.
- Cleaning the fish tank: The tank should be cleaned periodically to remove accumulated waste or debris.
- Cleaning the grow bed: The grow bed should also be cleaned periodically to remove debris or excess waste. This can be done by removing the plants and washing the grow bed with a hose.
- Checking for pests and diseases: Check your plants and fish regularly for any signs of pests or diseases. Take action immediately if any issues are detected to prevent them from spreading.
- Checking and maintaining equipment: Regularly check your pumps, filters, and other equipment to ensure they function correctly. Replace any damaged or worn parts as needed.
Aquaponic Mechanical Filters Explained
The mechanical filtration device is a stable element that is situated beyond the fish tank, which is available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Its exclusive function is to eliminate the denser fish feces and leftover food.
In an aquaponic system, a mechanical filter serves the function of eliminating bulky particles from the water flow that is directed away from the fish tank. The filtration process is aimed at averting contamination of the other system components and the plant roots.
The quantity of waste generated by the fish is in direct correlation with the quantity of food they consume.
The quantity of fish and their resulting waste would serve as a reliable indicator of the appropriate size of a mechanical filter necessary for removing solids from the system.
Efficiently removing waste before it enters other parts of the aquaponic system is crucial to maintain healthy fish, as overfeeding can result in various issues if the mechanical filter cannot handle the challenge.
What is the theory behind a mechanical filter that makes it unique, as it guarantees only the fish waste’s ammonia reaches the biofilter by being appropriately designed?
What Does a Mechanical Filter Do?
The fish tank is left with water free of solids after passing through the Mechanical filter.
The mechanical filter may collect a variety of solids including fish waste, leftover food, and deceased small fish.
The fish may be given food that is rich in protein and numerous other nutrients to facilitate rapid growth.
The aquaponics industry’s focus on maximizing profits encourages an emphasis on rapid fish growth, which is often exaggerated.
Around 15-40% of the food provided to the fish is carried out of the fish tank through the water flow.
As fish grow faster, the importance of eliminating solids increases as they tend to create more waste due to their size and increased food intake.
It is common for pieces of fish food to enter the water stream, exit the fish tank, and eventually be filtered out by the mechanical filter.
Do Sponge Filters Work?
In aquaponics, implementing sponge filters can prove to be a cost-efficient and successful means to segregate debris. However, incorporating this method requires additional effort.
Efficient and simple elimination of solid waste, particularly heavier waste that settles at the bottom, can be achieved with a well-designed mechanical filter equipped with a blow-down line at the bottom.
On the other hand, sponge filters demand more upkeep since neglecting them would result in blockages and the excess of water rich in nutrients, which would adversely affect the entire aquaponics setup.
Can You Use a Carbon Filter in Aquaponics?
The process of carbon filtering involves the use of activated carbon to eliminate impurities and pollutants through chemical adsorption.
The process of chemical adsorption may not have a positive impact on aquaponics as it can absorb the ammonia needed by the nitrifying bacteria to convert into nitrates for plant consumption.
When utilized in individual aquariums, this is highly advantageous for the fish and proves to be very efficient.
In aquaponics, the lack of nutrients due to overfeeding the fish will inhibit the growth of plants reliant on these nutrients.
Can You Reuse the Solid Waste from Mechanical Filters?
The residue produced from the mechanical filters can serve as a fertilizer for plants grown in soil.
When the filter is emptied, the water that comes out will have nitrates and other nutrients as well as solid waste. These nutrients can also be useful for plants grown on the ground, making it an all-natural method of fertilization for these plants.
Incorporating conventional farming practices with aquaponics is an effective approach.
The consequence of not having a mechanical Filter –
- The water becomes fouled and looks murky
- The biofilter will eventually become clogged
- The solids will gather on the roots of the plants and would prevent nutrient absorption and proper plant growth.
- The Ammonia concentration in the water would increase creating a toxic environment for the fish.
The Takeaway
In aquaponics, the role of mechanical filtration cannot be understated as it plays a crucial role in eliminating solids and ensuring optimal water quality for the fish and plants alike.
While several mechanical filtration options exist to effectively eliminate solids, Solids Separators remain the optimal choice for low-maintenance solid removal in aquaponics.
Another advantage of employing a solid separator is the possibility to utilize the remaining waste as an organic fertilizer for plants that are cultivated in soil.
