Aquaponics Presentation #2

BALANCING AN AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

There are several items that needs balancing in an aquaponics system 

1. Nitrate level ~ high: Nitrogen-eating bacteria converts Ammonia to Nitrate

2. Water pH level ~ 7.0 optimum 

3. Sodium salts concentration ~ low 

4. Iron (Fe) addition 

5. Fish feed 

   

BENEFITS OF AN AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

 

There are a lot of benefits of managing an aquaponics system, such as:

1. Conservation through constant water reuse and recycling 

2. Organic fertilization of plants with natural fish emulsion 

3. The elimination of solid waste disposal from intensive aquaculture 

4. The reduction of needed cropland to produce vegetable crops 

5. The overall reduction of environmental footprint for crop production 

6. Small efficient commercial installations can be built close to markets therefore reducing food miles

7. Small systems are easily setup and operated; thus everybody can try 

8. If many people in our country starts their own small aquaponics system at home;

            a) sell surplus harvest, good side-income source 

            b) use fresh food daily, increase in overall health 

Besides all the benefits and profits, one should be aware of its disadvantages, such as:

1. Initial expense to start an aquaponic project

2.The infinite number of ways to configure

3. Rely heavily on energy, technology & control

4. Have multiple 'single points of failure' where problems can lead to

complete loss of fish stock


***presentation continues into #3, refer older post***