Aquaponics as a Business opportunity

How to Start your own Aquaponics Business at Home

credit to http://www.aquaponicsandyou.com/

With many people looking for ways to increase their income these days, starting a home-based business is an attractive option. There are several major hurdles to clear before you can start earning any money from a new enterprise, not the least of which is funding. Many new businesses need a huge injection of capital before any return can be realised and this factor alone prevents many from getting off the ground. An aquaponics business is the exception.

Unlike most other types of business, setting up an aquaponics farm does not cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. While the actual set-up cost obviously varies depending on the size of the system, experts claim that most investors can expect to see a return in a relatively short period of time. Some claim it is possible to have the whole system paid off in a twelve month period.

Aquaponic farming combines aquaculture and hydroponics. Fish are kept in a tank and the water from the tank is pumped through the plants and back into the tank, in a continuous process. Aquarium water is rich in nutrients because of the waste products expelled by the fish and it is these nutrients that the plants take up and use to grow. The water that is returned to the fish tank has been purified by the plants; this keeps the tank water clean and healthy for the fish.

The types of plants that are grown in an aquaponics farm are generally herbs and vegetables. Because they are not treated with fertilizers and the usual garden chemicals, they are considered to be organic produce. The fish you buy to stock your tanks can be eating varieties and this gives you another product to sell. Both the fish and the vegetables grow at the same time, using the same system. Organic produce attracts a premium price at point of sale and is keenly sought by consumers.

The main advantages of starting an aquaponics farm as a business include the low start-up costs, low production costs and the ease with which the system can be managed. You don’t need to rent or buy any space to carry out your business as you can use space in your own yard, garage or other parts of your home. Organic produce is becoming a popular product, especially at farmers’ markets and other local events, so selling your product should be quite easy.

If you are looking for ways to bring in extra money or you want to start your own business, take a close look at how to start your own aquaponics business. You don’t need to be a gardener and you don’t need any specialised skills to succeed in this type of enterprise.

Commercial Aquaponics and Profitability

credit to http://www.greenacreaquaponics.com/

The commercial viability of aquaponics is likely the hottest contested topic on most aquaponic forums today and is the million dollar question that everyone wants answered. While I’m still not willing to make my financial data public (you would be amazed how many people have asked), I will say that we are indeed a profitable farm based on revenue generated by the farm alone. Although our farm’s revenue is derived in diverse ways, even after extracting any non farm related revenue from things such as consulting, education or system sales, our Green Acre farm is indeed profitable on it’s farm generated merits alone. So it then begs the question, why have alternate streams of revenue if farming alone can be profitable? For several reasons. Let’s take a look at each one.

Reason 1 - A business with multiple revenue streams is a more viable, resilient business model. Having multiple revenue streams means a business can be more nimble and weather setbacks more easily. Literally. Setbacks from the weather are a very real possibility and probability for any kind of farming venture unless you farm in a controlled environment setting but even in controlled ag, crop losses can occur due to pest damage or disease. However having multiple streams can help insure there is still cash flow when a crop loss occurs. This is especially important for the aquaponic farmer as crop insurance isn’t yet an option. 

Reason 2 - Direct farm generated revenue from crops is rarely a consistent amount and alternate streams can supplement in between crop harvests and rotations. This actually is probably a little less true in aquaponic farming then in traditional Ag where all of a farms revenue might come in a two month period when the watermelons are ready to harvest. For we aquaponic farmers though, a carefully planned crop schedule and rotation can help insure a constant and consistent harvest of some crops such as lettuce and herbs but even the revenue generated by these will fluctuate with the weather and season.

Reason 3 - Alternate streams of revenue can subsidize a small farm business while it grows its operation to a size large enough to generate enough revenue on farm sales alone.Ah, now this is the ultimate goal for us and most likely for most aquaponic farming hopefuls; have a farm large enough to pay all the bills and then some. It’s not that the farm is unsuccessful or not profitable right now but its simply not large enough yet to produce enough revenue to support two individuals entirely. Understand though that this is purely a function of not having enough start up or expansion capital for a small farm business to create a large enough farm right out of the gate. However, just because a farm’s revenue is limited due to grow space and production does not mean it’s not a profitable business.

Reason 4 - Alternate revenue streams can self fund farm growth and expansions. Lets face it, expanding an aquaponic farm can be pricey and certainly more then its soil counterpart. Have we stumbled on the one drawback of aquaponics? Perhaps, but I will save that discussion for another blog but adding on additional grow space can easily incur a capital outlay of $20k or more or as little as $15 a square foot just for the system or as much as $100 a square foot depending on how you build and source it. We would have to sell an awful lot of lettuce to fund expanding our farm from direct farm sales. Quite honestly, this is the single greatest driver for our alternate streams because our goal is to have enough grow space for the farm alone to support itself and us and so far 100% of our expansion has been self funded from alternate revenue streams.

Home garden, Home aquaponics

credit to http://quantitativemetathesis.blogspot.com/

Aquaponics Is the Next Generation Name for House Garden

We have all observed of veggie plants, kitchen landscapes and bought clean vegetables from the grocer's shops and observed about The Lawn of Arden. At some point of life most of us might have used veggie agriculture, be it in the property garden or portable pots but I think most of us have not tried Aquaponics yet. Aquaponics is a recent innovation in the field of agriculture and shall become another name for home landscapes in the days to come.

                      

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture. Hydroponics is the method of growing vegetation in h2o or sand without the use of ground. Aquaculture is the agriculture of seafood. Aquaponics is the farming of both vegetation and seafood part by part. Fish is kept in an fish tank. The h2o made up of the toxic release by the seafood is sent to the hydroponic program through a pipe, where the vegetation utilize it to obtain their meals. The h2o becomes free from toxics and is sent returning to the aquaculture program.

                         

Vegetables can be expanded in multiplexes

All types of clean vegetables flourish in the Aquaponics program. Cucumber green beans, clothes or chili peppers any veggie can be expanded inside your house. Aquaponics can be used both, outdoors or in the house. No area is needed and this decreases the cost significantly especially, in cities and places where area for agriculture is hardly available. People living in multiplexes can also grow their clean vegetables.

Aquaponics gives you clean and natural vegetables

Since the vegetation obtain their nutritional value from the seafood fertilizer, no substances or bug sprays are needed. This means you get clean and natural veggie for your your meal. You do not need to pay high costs or even visit the Grocery stores store. These self produced clean vegetables involve no appearance, rating, marketing and marketing, which are the reasons for the rise in the costs of products in shops.

                                     

Saves h2o efforts and energy

All you need is a continuous supply of meals for the seafood. Difficult and time consuming washing of the fish tank is also reduced. The vegetation obtain the nutritional value from the h2o containing the natural waste of the seafood. Most of the washing is done by the vegetation. The h2o becomes clean and is supplied returning to the fish tank. It helps you to save a lot of h2o too.

                              

Easy accessibility to packages of different sizes

Aquaponics kit can be easily bought from plant centers, agriculture shops or via internet. Kits are available in different dimensions from huge tanks, to be used in verandas or mini ones for indoor preparations. The blooming bed too can be a huge tank or just a huge pail. Other necessary equipment is provided in the kit along with related information and training.

Relaxation of mind

Aquaponics gives an ultimate experience of staying close to nature in the grouped and disorderly places. The joy of eating self-cultivated meals is tremendous and no exotic supper at any cafe could ever meet it. It makes a relaxing green environment and gives pleasure to the brain. It can prove to be a treatment for many illnesses which owe their birth to stress and extremely stress.

Different Types of Aquaponics Systems

There are three different types of aquaponics systems that have been developed for use by home gardeners and commercial enterprises. These are media based, NFT and Deep Flow or Raft systems and here is a description of each one.

Media-based: also known as the gravel bed system, the media-based aquaponics system is the simplest type to set up and can be used on a small or large scale. This is why it is the type most commonly used by backyard aquaponics enthusiasts. Containers are filled with small rocks, usually expanded clay pebbles which are porous to absorb water and air, and then seedlings are planted directly into these. Water from the fish tank is circulated through the container to allow the plants to access the nutrients. The rocks act as a biological filter as well as a solids filter, eliminating the need for extra equipment.

You can also use special netted growing pots for your seeds or seedlings. You fill these with perlite, coir, peat moss or the clay pebbles and plant into them. These pots are then placed into a larger container which has been filled with the expanding clay pebbles, making sure the netted sides are covered by the media. Media-based aquaponics systems hold plants firmly and so are ideal for growing fruiting plants.

There are two different ways this type of aquaponics system can be operated. The first method pumps a continuous flow of water through the media bed from the fish tank and back into the tank. The second is a process called flood and drain or ebb and flow, where water is pumped into the bed to a depth of about 10 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cms) and then drained away. A timer controls the flooding and draining sequence.

NFT system: or Nutrient Film Technique is a common method used in hydroponics that is best suited to a large-scale aquaponics production. This is because of the expense of setting up the system of PVC pipes and mechanical filtration needed to operate the system. Because there is not the surface area exposed to the air, as in the media-based system, a biological filter is needed to allow the beneficial bacteria to develop and convert the fish wastes into plant nutrients. Solids filtration is also needed to deal with the solids in the fish waste; this is usually set up in a separate tank through which the water passes before going through the plant pipes.

In the NFT system, plants are held in netted growing pots which are suspended through holes cut in the pipe. A thin film of nutrient-rich water is run along the bottom of enclosed gutters so that the roots can reach it. It is really only suited to plants that have a small root systems, such as leafy green vegetables.

Deep Flow: also called Deep Water Culture (DWC) or the Raft system, this is another commonly-used method in hydroponics. This system involves the use of a foam ‘raft’ that floats on top of the water. It is a popular choice for both commercial and backyard aquaponics because it is relatively cheap to set up and operate.

A container or channel is used to hold the water as it is pumped through from the fish tank, after it has been filtered to remove any solid waste. Plants are held in holes made in the raft, so their roots dangle down into the water. This method uses high volumes of water which provides stable water temperatures for the plants and fish. It is the method most often used in commercial aquaponics operations because of the ease with which the plants can be tended and harvested. Again, it is better suited to growing herbs and leafy green vegetables than plants with bigger root systems and fruiting varieties.

This type of system can easily be adapted for home garden use by simply floating a styrofoam tray on top of a fish tank. Just cut holes in the tray and suspend the plants, or plants in netting pots, through the holes so the roots are in contact with the water. Choose fish varieties that are not voracious plant eaters to avoid having plants’ roots eaten away.

Now that you understand how each of the 3 types of aquaponics systems operates, you will be in a better position to decide which one suits you the best. Whichever method you choose, it is best to start small so you can gradually build your expertise and experience before setting up a large system.

   

Aquaponics News #2

Newsletter from Nelson Pade's Aquaponics Technology, System and Supplies New Incentive Program for Workshop Attendees An incentive program is now available that rewards attendees of Nelson and Pade, Inc.'s 3-day Aquaponics and Controlled Environment Workshop with a discount on the purchase of Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems®. Beginning with the April, 2012, 3-day Aquaponics and Controlled Environment Workshop, each attendee will receive a certificate (good for 30 days after the workshop) that gives them a substantial discount on the purchase of a Clear Flow Aquaponic System from Nelson and Pade, Inc. 2012 Workshop Schedule Nelson and Pade, Inc. has posted the 2012 workshop schedule.  When you attend a Nelson and Pade, Inc. workshop, you will be presented information based on 20+ years of experience in the three critical areas: aquaponics, controlled environment agriculture and the economics of aquaponics. No matter what your application, understanding these three areas is critical to your success.  Learn from the best!  Attend a Nelson and Pade, Inc. Workshop. Next workshop:  April 19-21, 2012 Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® are designed for maximum production with minimum inputs.  From the F5 (Fantastically Fun Fresh Food Factory) to our commercial systems, these are highly productive and efficient systems.  Check out our current projects to see where Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems® are now being shipped. UWSP/Nelson and Pade Aquaponics Course The Introduction to Aquaponics Course/Biology 498, offered in partnership with Nelson and Pade, Inc. and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has begun.  This course, co-developed and co-taught by Rebecca Nelson, John Pade, and Dr. Chris Hartleb, is the first of its kind.  The Spring semester course is full, but future course offerings will be announced. Sweet Corn in March? Yes! Our demonstration greenhouse is thriving and we are enjoying an abundance of fresh vegetables and fish.  This week, we ate aquaponically-grown sweet corn, kohlrabi, Swiss chard, lettuce, herbs, beans and huckleberries.  In a couple of weeks, our tomatoes and strawberries will be ripe.  We can’t wait! Questions? Feel free to email or call us with questions: 608-297-8708 info@aquaponics.com Or visit our Aquaponics Information pages.

Aquaponic Trial #1

Alas, my first trial setup

The view from a distance, tier 1 = koi pod, tier 2 & 3 = flower pod, tier 4 = biofilter pod.

The flower pods below (tier 2 & 3) with seedling starting to grow. It took awhile for them to pop up due to the location of the system under the porch roof which is preventing precious sunlight. Nonetheless, they still grow.

 

The biofilter pod (tier 4) is located on the topmost of the system, comprises of 4 filter elements with 3 aeration outlets between them. This pod is designed to capture solid fishwaste and dissolves it into elements which the plant then could absorb, such as ferum, potassium, kalium, etc. It is an essential to have this pod as described in the aquaponic cycle below.

The fish pod, basically contains my 3 koi fish and a pump. Since the system is practically new, the fish is quite stressfull and is a bit jumpy. So i didnt manage to take a picture of them, maybe next time, in the next update.

Aquaponics Design #2

Ok, its been 5 months since my last post. But I've been wanting to post this for a long time. So here goes.


Continuing the 'Concept' topic on which I'll base my system on, here are the findings I got from the net apart from the last post.

The system from University of Virgin Island. One of the first systems I encountered back in 2006. Used as a learning field for Aquaponics study. Too big for me of course, just wanted to share it with u guys.

This would be how that system looks like under the raft. Remember that this is a deep water raft system much like the one I tend to adopt in my trial system at home.

Going back to my previous post, first image. This is the realization of it. Somebody must have build up this system according to that design and made it work. Nice looking system, but still too big for me to try, unfortunately.

Great design to accommodate the vege raft on the fish tank itself. Thus saving space for a more bigger fish population. But having too big fish to vegetable ratio will be problem for this setup I reckon.

Having seen all the design I could search in the net, this one of the smallest and simplest of aquaponics design I've came upon. Suitable in urban area where space is tight while still having all the features of an aquaponics system. I am in the construction phase of my system as of now. A little DIY assembling and I'll be posting my own system in a few days. Stay tuned.

Aquaponics News #1

Aquaponics Company Celebrates Achievements, Growth in 2010

2010 has been a year of achievements, milestones and growth for Nelson and Pade, Inc, a Wisconsin-based company specializing in aquaponics. Aquaponics is a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant culture) to efficiently grow both fish and plants in one recirculating system.

Montello, WI, USA (Vocus/PRWEB) December 07, 2010 

2010 brought exciting new growth and substantial achievements for Nelson and Pade, Inc., a Montello, WI-based company that specializes in aquaponics and controlled environment agriculture. Aquaponics is a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant culture) to efficiently grow both fish and plants in one recirculating system. The fish waste provides an organic fertilizer source for the plants and the plants help to purify the water for the fish.

Nelson and Pade, Inc., a 20+ years-old company, offers complete aquaponic system packages for all applications, consulting and project planning services and comprehensive training workshops and learning programs. In early 2010, the principles and staff of Nelson and Pade, Inc. were busy settling into their new, much larger location, which provides expanded office space and over 8,000 sq. ft. of shop and warehouse space for manufacturing and system assembly.

Rebecca Nelson and John Pade, owners and Internationally-renowned aquaponics consultants, spent early March in Singapore, where they were invited to speak on aquaponics at the International Conference on Soilless Culture, sponsored by the International Society of Horticultural Sciences. The 5-day conference included 15-20 minute presentations from scientists hailing from 36 different countries. Nelson and Pade were given a 4 hour time slot to introduce aquaponics to this influential group from the horticulture and agriculture communities around the world.

In April of 2010, Nelson and Pade, Inc. resumed their popular aquaponics workshops and during the year taught aquaponics to over 200 people from 28 states and 12 countries. These comprehensive, hands-on workshops are very well received by attendees and are often the impetus for post-workshop developments in aquaponics. A 2010 workshop attendee, Stephen Mathews, Muskogee, OK, commented: “What can I say but thank you to the entire team. Thank you for creating a learning environment that was fun and relaxed. I have been to many conferences during my career as an educator, and this conference was the best I have ever attended."

So far in 2010, Nelson and Pade, Inc. has built 20 complete Clear Flow Aquaponic SystemsTM for commercial growers, hobbyists, mission groups, Universities and schools. These systems have been installed in locations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Cumulatively, Nelson and Pade, Inc. has built systems that cover over 2 acres. David Hamlin of Palmetto, FL recently purchased and is operating one of Nelson and Pade's Clear Flow Aquaponic SystemsTM. He shares: “With Nelson & Pade, you get excellent access to leaders of the industry, timely comprehensive answers to your questions, a superb staff and a system without equal.”

A milestone for Nelson and Pade, Inc. in 2010 was the design, assembly and delivery of the first Living Food BankTM aquaponic system to the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. Nelson and Pade travelled to Haiti in October to assist with the construction of the tropical greenhouse and the installation of the aquaponic system. The Living Food BankTM will provide fresh fish and vegetables to the mission and the people in Northwest Haiti.
In November, 2010 Nelson and Pade, Inc. completed the construction of their new 5,000 sq. ft. demonstration greenhouse in Montello, WI. This controlled environment greenhouse is home to a variety of Clear Flow Aquaponic SystemsTM and demonstrates aquaponic techniques, various crop choices and the latest developments in aquaponics technology. Attendees of Nelson and Pade, Inc.'s workshops, tours and Extended Stay Learning Program have the opportunity to learn about aquaponics first hand in this new, innovative aquaponics greenhouse.

Rebecca Nelson and John Pade's experience in soilless culture and controlled environment agriculture dates back to 1985, when they built the first large hydroponic greenhouse in Wisconsin and they wrote and produced the first video on hydroponic food production. Since then, they have worked diligently to develop soilless and aquaponic technology through their self-funded research. They have generously shared results and information on their website http://www.aquaponics.com (established in 1996), in the Aquaponics Journal, which they publish (started in 1997) and in writing and publishing books, videos and curriculums on aquaponics. The 2008 introduction of Nelson and Pade's book, Aquaponic Food Production, was the first comprehensive text written about aquaponics.

While there is a lot of talk about aquaponics, Nelson and Pade, Inc. is out there making it happen, supplying aquaponic systems, technology and training for people in developed and developing nations. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.aquaponics.com or call 608-297-8708. A new blog at http://www.aquaponics.com/blog/ provides perspective, information and updates on Nelson and Pade Inc.'s projects, news and events.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/12/p673419/aquaponics-company-celebrates-achievements-growth-in-2010#ixzz1GjC3oJ6j

Aquaponics in Space

Two years ago, a NASA Engineering Design Challenge asked students to think about the possibility of growing plants on the moon and then to design, build and test lunar plant growth chambers. On future long-duration missions on the moon, fresh-grown plants could be used to supplement meals.

A group of high school students from New Jersey not only came up with a unique way to grow plants, but their plant growth chamber also includes an idea for providing a source of protein for lunar astronauts. The project by students at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing, N.J., uses aquaponics -- plants and fish in the same environment.

Aquaponics combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil). The system designed by the New Jersey students combines bluegill fish and plants in the same tank. The fish live in the water in the bottom of the tank. The plants grow in the top half of the tank.

The seedlings are grown in rock wool, which is a type of mineral wool used in hydroponics. The seedlings are then suspended in a plastic pipe in the top half of the tank. The water is pumped from the bottom of the tank through the pipe, then back into the tank. The roots of the plants are exposed to the water stream as it flows through the pipe. As the plants absorb the nutrients in the water, they also filter it.

"The system is a symbiotic relationship between the plant and bluegill fish," explained the students' science teacher, Melissa Hannan. "The fish provide nitrogen and phosphate for the plants, while the plants provide beneficial bacteria to convert ammonia."

 
The system designed by a group of New Jersey students is an aquaponic system, which combines fish and plants in the same environment. Image Credit: Atlantic County Institute of Technology
Plants receive light from light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, under the wooden canopy on top of the tank. The lights are powered by solar panels. Reflective material on the sides and back of the tank enhances the solar-powered lighting, Hannan said.

Students researched bluegill fish, different mediums to grow seeds, and the chemical conversions taking place in the tank. They used three-dimensional design software to create a computer model of their tank design before building it.

They also experimented with the angle of the pipe and the water pressure to achieve the best results. "Our final product is quite different from our original product," Hannan said. "It was a lot of trial and error, which is exactly what science is."

Bluegill fish were chosen because of their small size and the constraints of the 45-gallon tank. However, Hannan said students are testing the same concept with freshwater bass in a 12,000-gallon tank in the school's greenhouse. In the small tank, students grew cinnamon basil seeds that had been flown on the STS-118 space shuttle mission in 2007 and distributed as part of the design challenge. In the larger greenhouse model, they are experimenting with growing herbs and lettuces.

Atlantic County Institute of Technology students Alex, Jack and Marco received a second-place medal for their project in the 2009 New Jersey SkillsUSA technology competition. Image Credit: Atlantic County Institute of Technology
"They thought it (aquaponics) would be a good idea for the astronauts on the moon because it's a self-contained system to provide protein and vegetation," Hannan said.

Students received a second-place medal for the project in the New Jersey SkillsUSA technology competition earlier this year. Hannan said judges were impressed with the construction of the system.

"What they (students) are really taking with them is hands-on experience," Hannan said. "They're learning what it's like to start a project, hit some problems and actually solve the problem, solve the issues, and refine your system and make it (work)."

The Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber project supports NASA's goal of attracting and retaining students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

link: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/9-12/features/aquaponics.html

Aquaponics DVD

Aquaponics Made Easy (2009) DVD
by Murray Hallam

Grow fish and vegetables together in your own backyard the easy way. Whether you want to build your own system from bath tubs or assemble a ready-made kit, Murray Hallam will guide you through every step, so you can enjoy fresh fish and organic vegetables at your place.

If you’re worried about using commercially made fish pellets, Murray will show you how to grow your own fish food – the natural way.

Everything you need to know to get started in your Aquaponics adventure is packed into this educational DVD.

Over 90 minutes of quality information:

* Assembling a kit system

* Grow Beds, Tanks, Gravel Media explained

* Flood and Drain, Auto Siphons

* Fish Aeration, pumps, filtration, backup systems

* Growing plants successfully

* The Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling

* Testing your Water

* Maintaining a balanced system

* Choosing suitable fish for Aquaponics

* Batching your fish for endless food

* Dealing with pests

* Feeding your fish – Growing your own fish food

* Building your own Bathtub Aquaponics system

* Solar powered systems

* Essential checklist summary

Aquaponics Forum

The Aquaponic Gardening Community is a Ning site that was established in early February, 2010 by Sylvia Bernstein. She is assisted by an Advisory Group of 8 - 10 active members.

The vision for the site is to form a diverse community of aquaponic gardeners, both experienced and novice, that is small enough to foster intimate relationships, but large enough to offer robust discussion across a wide range of topics and aquaponic gardening styles. The Ning format was selected because it easily facilitates forum discussions and group formation by geographic location, fish type or other areas of interest. It also encourages photo and video sharing and tagging, and the announcement and coordiation of events.

The idea here is to take the notion of community between aquaponic gardeners to a whole new level of interaction and idea exchange. So much of what has been learned so far about aquaponics is due to the open discussions between the early pioneering gardeners growing with this amazing technique. There is so much still to learn in this incredible new way of gardening. Together we can change the world.

Direct Link: http://aquaponicscommunity.com/

Aquaponics Question

How Many Aquaponics Tanks Do I Need?

By Ronald E. Hudkins

Aquaponics is the farming method that combines both aquaculture and hydroponics. Both of these farming techniques are environmental friendly, and when they are combined their benefits are even greater. The greatest benefit that comes with aquaponics is the conservation of water and soil nutrients. There are two stages involved in the set up of an aquaponics system. One stage involves setting up a garden where you will grow your plants. The other stage involves setting up an aquarium for the fish. Proper planning before you set up your aquaponics farming system will enable you to identify the correct number of tanks that will be sufficient.

The number of tanks that you need will depend on a number of factors. How big is your aquaponics system? If you have a large project, you might want to have more than one tank. However, most people practice small-scale aquaponics. Therefore, they only need one or two big tanks. The number of fish that you want in your system also factors in. The recommended amount of water is normally one gallon for every fish. This means that if you want more than a hundred fish in your aquaponics system, you have to have a tank or tanks than can hold 100 gallons of water at any one time.

The number of tanks that you will have will also depend on your budget. If you do not have enough money to buy and maintain multiple tanks, then you can manage with one or two tanks. However, you have to ensure that your tanks will be enough for the fish to survive in. The issue of maintenance is also a factor to consider when you are thinking about how many tanks are ideal for your aquaponics project. Maintenance involves ensuring that the water temperature is normal and the pH is not too high or too low. Maintenance also involves making sure that there is sufficient and efficient air circulation in the tanks. If you think that you cannot carry out all these maintenance activities in many tanks at the same time, then the fewer your tanks the better.

There are some people who prefer many small-sized fish tanks while others prefer fewer but larger tanks. The number of fish tanks that you want to get is entirely up to you. However, you should also realize that maintaining a small tank takes much more effort and time than maintaining a large tank. If you are a busy person practicing aquaponics as nothing more than a hobby, then you should consider getting a larger, easier to manage fish tank. However, if you are into aquaponics as a full time job, you can get smaller multiple tanks because you will have all the time to manage them.

If you are looking for a farming technique, which will enable you, to conserve the environment, think aquaponics. While planning what you want to do with this farming system, do not forget to plan for the right number of tanks.

Aquaponics Startup Kit

This is my setup kit to kickstart my aquaponics adventure
As u can see the design is still incomplete, havent done the piping, aeration and whatnot
But I'm currently improving that, and will be posting the finished design soon

Aquaponics Starting Tips

Hey Guys!
Here are some Beginners' Startup Tips i came across while surfing the net.
Its very informative and would probably save us a lot of valuable time as well.

1) System type – Media bed is recommended for new, Hobby growers.
Why not NFT or Deep Water Culture (AKA raft or DWC)?
A media bed performs three (3) filtering functions;
1 mechanical (solids removal)
2 mineralisation (solids breakdown and return to the water)
3 bio-filtration

Because the media bed also acts as the place for plant growth, it basically does everything all in one component – making it all simple.
Media also provides better plant support and is more closely related to traditional soil gardening because there is a media to plant into.
The cost of building the system is lower because there are fewer components.
It is easier to understand and learn.

2) Grow Bed
The industry standard is to be at least (300 mm) deep to allow for growing the widest variety of plants and to provide complete filtration.
Must be made of food safe materials and should not alter the pH of your system (again, beware of concrete).

3) Fish tank
If you have flexibility here, (1000 litres) or larger seems to create the most stable Aquaponics system. Larger volumes are better for beginners because they allow more room for error; things happen more slowly at larger volumes.
Must be made of food safe materials and should not alter the pH of your system (beware of concrete, for example).

4) Stocking Density
20kg of fish per 1000 ltrs. This is a very safe stocking density for new systems.

5) Steps for Planning your System
Determine the total grow bed area in square meters.
From grow bed area, determine the fish weight required (kg) using the ratio rule 5 kg of fish for every square meter of grow bed surface area, assuming the beds are at least 300mm deep. Determine fish tank volume from the stocking density rule above.
For example, if you plan to have 2 x 1 sqm grow beds, total of 2 sqm of growing area. Plan to stock so you have a mature weight of no more than 10kg of fish which will require 500 litre fish tank.

6) Media
Must be inert – i.e won’t decompose or alter the pH of the system.
LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, AKA Hydroton or CANNA clay), Lava Rock, and Gravel are the most widely used media types. If you choose gravel, understand it’s source and avoid limestone and marble as they could affect your pH.

7) Water Flow
You should flood, then drain your grow beds. The draining action pulls oxygen through the grow beds.

If you are operating your system with a timer you should run it for 15 minutes on, and 45 minutes off. If you are running auto siphons, they will determine the time of the flood and drain cycle.

You want to flow the entire volume of your fish tank through your grow beds every hour if possible. Now consider the “head” or how far against gravity you need to move that water and use the sliding scale that is on the pump packaging to see how much more pump capacity you need.

8) Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates
Ammonia and Nitrite levels should be less than .75 ppm
If you see Ammonia levels rise suddenly, you may have a dead fish in your tank.
If you see Nitrite levels rise you may have damaged the bacteria environment in your system.
If either of the above circumstances occur, stop feeding your fish until the levels stabilise, and, in extreme cases, do a 1/3 water exchange to dilute the existing solution. Nitrates can rise as high as 150 ppm without causing a problem, but much above that, you should consider adding another grow bed to your system.

9) Oxygen
Be sure there is plenty of oxygen in your fish tank. You can do this through the use of a separate aeration device and by diverting part of the water from flooding and draining your grow beds directly into your fish tank. The only way you can have too much oxygen in a fish tank is if you are literally blowing your fish out of the tank. If you don’t have enough oxygen being infused into your tank your fish will be gasping for air at the water surface, but if you reach this stage you may have done permanent damage to your fish’s respiratory system.

10) When to add plants
As soon as you start cycling your system, but accept that they may not grow well for the few weeks required for cycling to occur.
If you add Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed to your tank when planting or Seasol at the rate of ½ litre per 1000 litres, your plants will establish themselves much more quickly. (then at the rate of one CAP full per day until system is established)

11) When to add fish if you are using a Fishless Cycling technique
Add fish once nitrates are present and the ammonia and nitrite levels have peaked and declined below 1.0 ppm.

12) Feeding Rate
As much as your fish will eat in 5 minutes, 1 – 3 times per day. As soon as the fish start to loose interest in feeding. Stop feeding. An adult fish will eat approximately 1% of its bodyweight per day. Fish fry (babies) will eat as much as 7%. Be careful not to over feed your fish.
If your fish aren’t eating they are probably stressed, outside of their optimal temperature range, or they don’t have enough oxygen.

13) Worms
Add a handful of composting red worms to each grow bed once your system is fully cycled and fish have been added. Red wrigglers are most favoured.

14) pH
Target a pH of neutral, or 7.0, in your Aquaponics system. This is a compromise between the optimal ranges of the fish, the plants, and the bacteria. For fish, this is a pH of around 6.5 to 8.0. For plants, this is a pH of around 5.0 to 7.0 and for bacteria it is a pH of 6.0 to 8.0.
Test pH at least weekly, and as frequently as 3 – 4 times per week. During cycling pH will tend to rise.

After cycling your systems, pH will probably drop below 7.0 on a regular basis and require being buffered up. If you need to lower pH it is generally because of the water source (such as hard ground water) or because you have a base buffer in your system (egg shells, oyster shell, shell grit, incorrect media).

Best method for raising (buffering) pH if it drops below 6.6
Calcium hydroxide – “hydrated lime” or “builder’s lime”.
Potassium carbonate (or bicarbonate) or potassium hydroxide (“pearlash” or “potash”). If possible, alternate between these two each time your system needs the pH raised. These also add calcium and potassium, which your plants will appreciate. While they work, be cautious about using natural Calcium Carbonate products (egg shells, snail shells, sea shells). They don’t do any harm, but they take a long time to dissolve and affect the pH. So, you add it, check pH two hours later and nothing has changed, so you add more. Then suddenly, the pH spikes because you have added so much.

Best methods for lowering pH, in order of preference, if it goes above 7.6
pH Down for Hydroponics- (be careful of using the aquarium version as this has sodium that is unhealthy for plants).
Other hydroponic acids like nitric or phosphoric as the plants can use the nitrate or phosphate produced.

Other acids, such as vinegar (weak), hydrochloric (strong), and sulphuric (strong) – last resort as directly adding these acids to your system could be stressful for your fish.
Use caution when adding anything to your system containing sodium as it could build-up over time and cause harm to your plants.

Do not use citric acid as this is anti-bacterial and will kill the bacteria in your bio-filter.

Happy Gardening! - reference: Practical Aquaponics Blog