Aquaponics System Designs - Aquaponics Blog

We all have admiration for aquaponics systems.

The main aquaponics systems that are available will be provided in this article.

Many people are using these methods because they have been proven to be effective.

In order to determine the most suitable system, it is crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each design, taking into account your needs and capacity.

To begin, let’s discuss which systems are appropriate for home growers and which systems are best suited for commercial or larger aquaponics systems.

Questions To Ask Before You Start Your Design

The intended use of the system needs to be considered. Regardless of if it is for personal, educational, or commercial purposes, your intentions will ultimately dictate the type of system required. Additionally, you should consider:

Space/Scale: How much space do you have? Do you need to maximize it? How much do you intend to produce, for whom, and for what purpose?
Type of crop: Type of crop: You have to match the system to the crops. Temperature ranges, nutrient demands, growth rate, weight, and root zones are all important factors in design selection.
Environment: Environment: Annual, seasonal, and daily temperature fluctuations will directly affect the productivity of the different life forms and ultimately the design of your system. Will you want to absorb or exchange heat? Is it inside or outside?
Technical capabilities: Technical capabilities: Each design has characteristics that lend themselves to different levels of expertise. Who will be using and managing it, and how much do you need to know about food production and aquaculture techniques?

Home Aquaponics Systems

Home aquaponic systems are the name given to aquaponics systems that you can construct in your own home.

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The media bed
NFT channels
Vertical towers or A-frames
Dutch Buckets
Deep flow technique

Commercial Aquaponics Systems

Commercial aquaponics systems primarily include deep water culture, also known as DWC.

Styrofoam rafts that float conveniently on a body of water and can be easily handled to ensure smooth operation.

Overview of Common Aquaponic Systems

Media Bed or Growbed

The media-filled bed or flood and drain system is the most commonly used aquaponics system due to its simplicity and popularity among backyard gardeners.

If a large amount of fish is used, the water from the fish tank is lifted using a solids lifting overflow. This will separate out the first settable solids in a filter. If small fish or a low stocking density is used, the water can be pumped directly to the growbeds.

1. After the water is placed into the growbeds, the level will begin to increase. 2. At this point, a siphon will be utilized to divert the water back either to the sump or the fish tank. 3. It is possible to construct a media bed using various types of media.

The fine solids that were not caught by your filter will be found in the growbed. Bacteria and red worms will decompose the solids and convert them into minerals, thereby enhancing nutrient accessibility.

When using growbeds, it is essential to ensure that they do not become obstructed with solids to allow for the growth of various plants. Denitrification poses a significant threat to media-filled beds as it can result in the decay of specific areas, causing the nitrifying bacteria in the growbed to perish.

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Acts as mineralization
Captures fine solids
Acts as bio-media

The text below discusses the drawbacks of something. The text below outlines the negative aspects of something.

Most of the time, a sump is needed
Clogging of the growbed is possible
Growbeds are heavy, and need strong support
Highest maintenance method, not suitable for commercial systems

Nutrient Film Technique or NFT

NFT systems are favored in the commercial industry due to their compactness and cost-effectiveness. The ability to grow crops vertically or on shelves makes them easily accessible and harvestable. This technique is particularly well-suited for hydroponic production, especially for leafy greens. However, it is not suitable for large fruiting plants due to potential root mass blockages and inadequate support for their weight. In an NFT system, plants’ roots are exposed to more air and less water, which can make them sensitive to extreme temperature changes.

of using a step-by-step thinking method include the ability to approach a problem in a logical and organized manner, breaking it down into manageable parts, and ensuring all necessary steps are considered and followed. By following a step-by-step process, individuals can navigate complex tasks more easily and efficiently, minimizing errors and confusion. Additionally, step-by-step thinking allows for better problem-solving skills, as it encourages individuals to analyze each step and consider any potential obstacles or alternative solutions. Ultimately, this method can lead to better decision-making and improved outcomes.

Continuous supply of water, oxygen, and nutrients
Space efficient
Easy to access
Lower labor inputs

drawbacks or downsides

Susceptible to clogging
Higher possibility of water temperature fluctuation
Not suitable for larger or flowering plants

Deep Water Culture or Floating Rafts

This technique, which is also referred to as raft or float systems, involves using floating rafts to hold plant roots in water that is rich in nutrients and aerated. The plant roots are positioned to float directly in a pool of water that is approximately 1 foot deep. Because there is no medium to collect and treat solid wastes, the design must incorporate filtration methods. This requirement calls for more sophisticated aquaculture techniques and system specifications, resulting in higher initial expenses.

This design is frequently used in commercial production because it is the most stable among the three types of systems. Due to the higher amount of water in the system, the occurrence of significant nutrient and temperature fluctuations is less likely. It is more suitable for warmer climates as it can withstand daily temperature changes, but heating the water in colder climates can be expensive. Moreover, it allows for the cultivation of larger plants with extensive root zones, and the process of removing plants is easier compared to media beds.

One of the advantages

Commercial scalability
Productive
Good for warmer tropical climates
Inexpensive
Not as susceptible to large temperature and nutrient fluctuations

Drawbacks or disadvantages.

Filtration demands
Labor demand and cost
Space efficiency

Vertical Towers

If you have limited growing space, vertical towers can be utilized. The zipgrow towers are widely known by most individuals.

It can be perceived as an improved version of a vertical NFT system.

Firstly, the crops’ roots are situated in a bio media where water is allowed to flow gradually. Secondly, the roots receive water that is abundant in nutrients, and at the same time, the bio media eliminates ammonia and nitrates from the water.

If you are advanced, I would only recommend using this technique to ensure that each tower receives an adequate amount of water.

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Saves space
Biological filtration inside the towers
Ergonomic

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Not every plant likes to grow vertically
Sometimes, additional lighting is needed
Not as easy to dial in

Dutch Buckets

The Dutch buckets system is a combination of media beds and drip irrigation.

Dutch buckets are utilized for cultivating sizeable fruiting crops. These buckets are compact growbeds supplied with a periodic trickle of water. In order to ensure the plant receives adequate water, two inches of water are maintained at the bottom of the bucket.

To ensure proper watering, it is recommended to set the timer three times daily for 5-10 minutes and ensure that the water is delivered in close proximity to the plant’s root mass.

The sump will be where the drain goes back to.

The following are the benefits:

A contained growing system
Gives plants support
Movable
Ideal for fruiting plants

Drawbacks

Additional biofiltration is needed
Water might heat up quickly because of the biomass of the grow media
Not cost-effective for vegetative crops like lettuce
More feed input is needed to create enough nutrients for fruiting crops

Deep Flow Technique or DFT

The Deep Flow Technique, also known as DFT, resembles NFT, except for the higher water level in this method.

The presence of water fills 50% of the gutter pipes, reaching the bottom of the net cup. This method is advantageous for novice individuals as they do not need to adjust the nutrient film that a nutrient film technique (NFT) requires.

In order to ensure the roots receive sufficient oxygen, like in the deep water culture system, it is necessary to provide oxygen to the roots as they will be submerged in the water. This can be achieved by installing airstones in the gutter pipes through which the water enters.

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A small pump is needed
More water in the channels makes it more error-proof
Fewer temperature fluctuations

There are drawbacks associated with this.

Additional biofiltration is needed
A blockage in the channel might destroy your crop
Only suited for small crops like lettuce
Solid filtration needs to be good
You need aeration in the channels

Wicking Beds

The wicking bed, which is the last type of aquaponics system, is utilized for cultivating root crops.

If you want to use a wicking bed, you have two options: recirculating or non-recirculating.

If you recirculate, the water will be taken back to the sump or fish tank in order to be reused. On the other hand, a system that does not recirculate is simpler but does not return the water to the fish tank.

The raised bed consists of a bottom layer of media that will be constantly immersed in water. Above this media, a weed barrier must be placed. On top of the weed barrier, the wicking material, such as composting soil, should be placed to ensure water is drawn up to the plant roots.

You can grow potatoes, carrots, or radishes while this wicking effect delivers nutrients to the root of the plant.

of thinking step by step include maintaining focus, ensuring accuracy, and promoting problem-solving skills. This approach allows individuals to break complex tasks into manageable parts, reducing overwhelm and increasing overall productivity. Additionally, thinking step by step encourages logical reasoning and critical thinking, as it involves analyzing each component of a problem or situation before proceeding to the next. By following a systematic and structured thought process, individuals can also minimize errors and make informed decisions efficiently.