AQUAPONIC FOOD PRODUCTION

MAKING FOOD SECURITY… …YOUR BUSINESS

AQUAPONICS – THE CONCEPT

Scientific DefinitionA revolutionary system that features a symbiotic

relationship where fish waste is used to nourish the crops using organic hydroponic techniques.

Food Production SystemCrops, Freshwater Fish, Freshwater Crustaceans

Takes the best of both Aquaculture and HydroponicsNaturally occurring controlled ecosystem approachEliminates wastage through re-circulation

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Aquaculture Tanks (Fish) Food Safe UV Resistant Inert Round Poly Tanks (1000L

+) Fiberglass is also a long life option

Grow Bed 3m x 1.3m x 0.30m (10ft x 4ft x 1ft) Wooden structure with 0.5 mm Poly liner or Fiberglass

Sump Tank Integrated into the foundation of Grow Bed Maintains water level in Fish Tanks Shrimp & Prawn culture

SYSTEM WORKING

TH

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APO

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GROW BEDS Flexible Dimensions

Minimum Depth 0.30m Wooden Structure or Fiberglass

Growing Media (NO SOIL) ¾” River bed Gravel or Hydroton Aeration and Drainage

Worms Mineralization Nitrogen Cycle

Benefits Bio-Filter for Solids Physical Stability Low Maintenance

GROW BED SIPHON

DEEP WATER CULTURE TROUGHS

0.3 m deep troughs with flowing water

Wooden or Fiberglass structure

Plants grown on floating Polystyrene sheets

Benefits Root Zone Temperature Habitat for Crustaceans Leafy plants do well Ergonomics pH, Temperature stability

VERTICAL AQUAPONICS

Nutrient Film Technique

PVC Towers or Stackable Pots

Media Hydroton Coir Mix

Advantages Continuous water supply

AQUACULTURE (FISH)

Tilapia (Most Successful) Highly Tolerant to Water quality Adapts well to differing temperature Fingerling to 1.5 to 2 lbs (1kg) – 6 months

Stocking Density 1 fish per 10 Litres of water

Pelletized Fish Feed Water Temperature Daylight hours

Fish Farming Multiple size ratio Regular harvest intervals

PRODUCE QUALITY

AQUAPONIC FARMS

GREEN ACRE AQUAPONIC FARM, FLORIDA

AQUAPONIC FARMS

PILOT SYSTEM – FIRST WEEKS

BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS - CONCEPT

100% Organic and Chemical Free Fish – Low Stress and Chemical Free Crop Produce – 100% Naturally Grown

Highly Sustainable Design Low Irrigation Low Energy Footprint No Fertilizer/ Manure/ Soil/ Pesticide

All Weather Solution Root Zone Temperature Water Circulation

BENEFITS OF AQUAPONICS - COMMERCIAL

Niche Market Cuisine Chefs and Gourmet Restaurants Better than Organic Health conscious consumers

Food Security Solution of the Future Safe + Sustainable + Controlled + Ecological Low Cost + Simple

Low Capital Expenditure No High Tech Equipment Locally available materials

SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION

Large Components Food Safe Inert Poly or Fiberglass Tanks Construction grade Ply-Wood 0.51mm Polyethylene Liner (Perm = 0.015) Food Safe PVC fittings and accessories

Electrical Components Medium grade water pumps (5000gph) Air Diffuser pumps

Biome Components Red Wriggler or Garden Worms Gravel or Hydroton Seedling and Fingerling Nitrifying Bacteria Culture

SYSTEM COSTING

Construction/Material Cost Estimate Wooden Structure – $10 per sq.m Fiberglass tanks and troughs – $40 per sq.m Hydroton Cost = $1000 per 1000L of growbed volume

Labour Required Skilled wood workers or Fiberglass casting In house civil or mechanical engineer for system

integration

Estimated Earnings $150,000 per year – 1500 sq.m

Seeding patterns, Water Quality, Harvest Planning

PRODUCTIVITY RATIO - ESTIMATION

Farm Size Vegetables Fish

1.8m x 2.5m (1) 400 45 kgs

3m x 6m (1) 1,100 180 kgs

6m x 9m (2) 3,600 635 kgs

30m x 30m (2) 60,000 10,400 kgs

SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Water pH = 6.5 to 7.0 (~ 6.6 to 7.4) Tends to get High – Nitrification Low – Anaerobic Nitrification To Increase: Hydrated Lime (K or Ca Hydroxide) To Decrease: Nitric or Phosphoric Acid

Water Temperature = 22°C to 35°C

Dissolved Oxygen = 5mg/L to 10mg/L

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrates = 5 to10 ppm Nitrites < 2ppm, Ammonia < 4 ppm

MILESTONES TIMELINE System Construction – week 1

Level Land, Grade and Concrete usage area Trench and Raise for beds and plumbing Construct Wooden frame and structure Assemble Sections

Fishless System Cycle – week 1 to week 3 Begin Seeding or transplant Source Ammonia from Seaweed Extract Balance pH, Nitrates, Ammonia Prepare Nitrifying Bacteria Culture

Introduce Fish – week 3 to week 4 Nitrates 5-10 ppm, Ammonia and Nitrites 0 ppm

Harvest Begins – week 6 onwards

Your Answer to the Global Food Security Call…