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AQUAPONICS

Any system that produces fish also produces considerable waste and potential ground water contamination. Combining two systems not only eliminates the waste, it actually puts it to use for the growth of more food.

Looking across one of our 9 foot diameter tanks. This is a grow-out tank taking fish from fingerlings (3”) to marketable size (1-2 pounds). Rubber Plants in the background add oxygen to the air and absorb carbon dioxide released from the tank

Aquaponics is the joining together of two food-producing systems, AQUA-culture (fish farming) and hydro-PONICS (soilless plant farming). When these two systems are joined they form a symbiotic relationship with each other (each benefits from the other). The two pictures of plants which we have grown and irrigated with dirty fish tank water show the stimulating effect that fish waste has on the growth of plants.

Fish live in the same water in which they eliminate. After a while, this waste will actually kill them if it is not removed. This is why in a natural ecosystem you will not find a highly concentrated population of fish. Using this water from the fish tanks to grow plants does two things: first, the plants remove the nitrogen from the water through their roots and use it for growth, second, the clean water is then returned to the fish tank which keeps the fish happy. Round and round the cycle goes as you harvest the plants and the fish and start up new plants and fish to take the place of the ones you harvest.

The type of fish we use are named Tilapia. They are a very forgiving fish, adaptable to a wide range of environments. They are fecund (have lots of babies) and grow to marketable size from birth in 6-12 months. They are efficient users of feed (1 pound of feed = 1 pound of fish). Tilapia are the answer to a hungry world. They also taste pretty good. They are mouth breeders (the mother carries the eggs in her mouth until they hatch) and its pretty cool to see the females move their mouth parts to keep the eggs turning..all the while keeping their mouths shut. When the males and not breeding, they are a plain grey with two lateral black stipes down their body. When they are breeding, they turn jet black and all the outer fringes of their fins turn red. They are very handsome in their ‘courting colors’. They are a tropical fish and require warm water.

 
A close-up of the water return after filtration. This is a home-made biofiltration system...note the clarity of the water.


Many types of plants can be grown in this system, if all of their cultural requirements are met (light, heat, nutrients and water). We will begin with lettuce, broccoli, onions, swiss chard and spinach. Published results from other folks state that for every pound of fish produced, 50-75 pounds of vegetables are produced. Our goal is 35 pounds of vegetables, and our tank has the ability to produce 2,200 pounds of fish a week at full capacity (we have room for 2-3 tanks). So, we hope you like veggies... This system can be used nearly anywhere in the world, and requires very little room.

 

Note the lush Spider Plant in the hanging basket in the background..watered with tank water. More testimony of the stimulating effect of fish waste water. Tank height is 4’.

Each vegetable greenhouse will have its own microturbine placed inside during the winter to generate electricity (a microturbine is an aircraft engine which has been miniaturized). Why inside? The exhaust from burning alcohol fuel is carbon dioxide and water vapor - at a temperature of around 1300 degrees. As to what we will experiment with in the vegetable or fruit department, we leave that up to you. We welcome suggestions.What would you like to see grown? What should we try to grow? Hopefully, as our site expands, we can install cameras in the greenhouses so that at any time you can see for yourself the progress of the plants that you have suggested we grow experimentally, and watch us as we go about daily chores.