Modern Design System

The future design

Aquaponics, ækwəˈpɒnɨks, pisciponics

Integrated Vertical Tube System

Here's a drawing and a photo of the integrated vertical tube aquaponics system we built. The photo shows the tubes in the planting/harvesting position; normally they are rotated 180 degrees so that the openings face the window.

Speeding Up The Cycling Process

Speeding Up The Cycling Process

When cycling aquaponics systems, the process can be speeded up by adding bacteria to the system, rather than waiting for it to show up on it’s own. Heating the water to the optimum temperature will speed things up further.

Aquaponic System Final Design

So, here’s the floor plan. As you can see, it is 22.4m long and 6.55m wide. Some system details are as follows:

Aquaponic Systems Growing Methods

 Aquaponic Systems Growing Methods

The way aquaponic systems are built are endless. The two parts that are the same are the fish tank and a plant bed. Some of the differences include filtration techniques, plumbing, the type of plant bed, growing medium, and the frequency of water and aeration. Some of the more popular aquaponic methods emerging in the industry are methods based on a hydroponic system design, and raising fish for filtration.

What are the benefits of aquaponics

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS?

 
Reduced water use
Reduced chemical use
Reduces pesticide use when set up in a greenhouse
Reduces erosion by eliminating the need to plough the soil
Reduced running costs compared to a conventional horticultural farm

HOW MANY FISH IN A TANK?

 HOW MANY FISH AM I ALLOWED TO HAVE IN A TANK?

Aquaponics, ækwəˈpɒnɨks, pisciponics

Again this will depend on whether the system is a commercial or backyard system, with the commercial systems requiring the correct amount of fish and plants for optimum production. The more fish there are in a system, the more nutrients there are for the plants to consume, but if there are not enough plants to consume these nutrients, the excess build up in the water can cause the fish to suffer. As a general rule, backyard systems can stock between 10 - 30 kg of fish per 1000 litres of water.

Best Plants to Grow in an Aquaponics System

 Best Plants to Grow in an Aquaponics System

There are many plants that grow well in soil less farming.  These include vegetables, aquatic plants, flowers and even fruit trees.  There are other vegetables that will not work well in an aquaponic system.  Root vegetables such as carrots, onions and potatoes should not be used in these systems.  You can grow them, but it would not be easy.  They need a medium close to soil like sand in order to grow.