2. Contents
Introduction
History
Essential components of an Aquaponic unit
Water quality in Aquaponics
Aquaponics Plants and requirements
Aquaponics Fishes and requirements
Functioning of Aquaponics
Aquaponics in Sri Lanka
Advantages and disadvantages
Other Possibilities in Aquaponics
Conclusion
Reference
3. Introduction
Aquaponic is a fast growing and more sustainable method of food
production.
Aquaponics is a system that combines hydroponics with intensive
aquaculture
bio-integrated food production system.
4. History
hydroponics
Hydroponics is the production of plants in a soilless medium where by all of
the nutrients, which are supplied in aqueous solution
In China it was reported that "frame fields" for growing water spinach were
widespread in ancient times
The raft gardens were made with a frame of bamboo and a layer of soil
and supplied leaf vegetables for home consumption
In Mexico and Bangladesh organic matter from plants was used to create
rafts for floating agriculture
6. intensive aquaculture
intensive aquaculture in which fish are kept at high density in tanks or
raceways and fed a high quality food
US only since the mid-20th century
As production intensified it was realized that the effluent was high in nutrients
and could cause eutrophication and other environmental impacts
7. Aquaponics
it has an ancient history, Plants have been grown using fish farm wastes either directly or
indirectly in China and SE Asia for thousands of years
aquaponics has been strong since the 1960s, in US at Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institute
awareness of impact of nutrient wastes on the environment while at the same time
increasing the requirement of food production developed the aquaponics
Globally there are now hundreds of small scale aquaponic initiatives and several larger
scale commercial or near commercial enterprises
8. Essential components of an aquaponic unit
fish tank
mechanical filter
bio filter
hydroponic containers
Water circulation unit
aerators
9. fish tank
essential component in every unit
Shapes
round
Square
Oval
material
plastic
Fiberglass
Cement
ground pond
Colour
White or other light colours
10. mechanical filter
separation and removal of solid and suspended fish waste from fish
tanks
It is essential for the health of the system
Type of filter
Screen filter
sedimentation tanks
sand or bead filters
11. Bio filter
The bio filter is installed between the mechanical filter and hydroponic
containers
living bacteria
Nitrosomonas
Nitrobacter
volcanic gravel, plastic bottle caps, netting, PVC, shavings and nylon scrub
pads are act as substrate for bacteria
Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia (NH₃) into nitrite (NO₂-)
Nitrobacter bacteria then convert nitrite (NO₂-) into nitrate (NO₃-)
12. Hydroponic components
the plant-growing sections in the unit
Three designs are more familiar with aquaponics
media bed /particulate beds
14. Water circulation unit
Water circulation is fundamental for keeping all organisms alive in
aquaponics
The water moves from the fish tanks, through the mechanical filter and
the bio filter and then to the plants in their media beds and finally to the
collecting tank
15. Water quality in aquaponics
Oxygen
pH
Temperature
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Water hardness
16. oxygen
plants, fish and nitrifying bacteria all need oxygen to live.
fish may die within hours when exposed to low DO within the fish tanks
adequate DO levels is crucial to aquaponics
pH
The pH of the water has a major impact on all aspects of aquaponics,
especially the plants and bacteria
the pH controls the plants’ access to micro- and macronutrients
Nitrifying bacteria difficult to survive below a pH of 6, and the bacteria’s
capacity to convert ammonia into nitrate reduces in low pH conditions. This
can lead to reduced bio filtration and fish mortality
17. Temperature
general compromise range is 18–30 °C.
Temperature has an effect on DO as well as on the toxicity of ammonia
high temperatures have less DO and
high temperatures more unionized (toxic) ammonia
Ammonia
Most of the fish waste is form of ammonia (NH3)
ammonia is then nitrified by bacteria and converted into nitrite (NO2-)
Ammonia is toxic to fish, Commonly in fishes can show symptoms of ammonia
poisoning at levels 1.0 mg/ liter
high level of ammonia damage to the fishes’ central nervous system and gills
18. Nitrite
High levels of NO2- can immediately lead to rapid fish deaths.
Again, even low levels over an extended period can result in increased fish
stress, disease and death
NO2- prevent the transport of oxygen within the bloodstream of fish its
called as brown blood disease
Nitrate
Nitrate is a far less toxic than the other forms of nitrogen
It is the most accessible form of nitrogen for plants, and the production of
nitrate is the goal of the bio filter
Fish can tolerate levels of up to 300 mg/ liter.
19. Aquaponics Plants and requirements
most popular vegetables are leafy vegetables and herbs-especially lettuce
and basil
less suitable for fruit vegetables
suitable vegetables
Lettuce
Basil
Spring onion
Fruit vegetables such as tomato, cucumber
Beets
Okra
Blueberries
20. Plants require sunlight, air, water and nutrients to grow
Essential macronutrients include: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium and sulphur
Micronutrients include iron, zinc, boron, copper, manganese and
molybdenum
Deficiencies need to be addressed by supplying the limiting nutrients with
supplemental fertilizer or increasing mineralization
The suitable temperature range for most vegetables is 18–26 °C, although
many vegetables are seasonal.
pest/disease management uses physical, mechanical and cultural practices
to minimize pests/pathogens
uses fish-safe chemical and biological treatment in targeted applications,
when necessary
21.
22. Aquaponics Fishes and requirements
High tolerance and high marketable fishes are more suitable
Tilapia, carp, and catfish are highly suitable for aquaponics
Common culture fishes
Tilapia
Catfish
common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Mullet
perch
bester sturgeon
grass carp
23. Tilapia
possibilities
preferred species for tropical and sub-tropical situations
easy to breed
tolerates low Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels (0.2 ppm)
high Total Ammonia Nitrogen levels (>90 ppm @ pH 6.0)
low pH levels (< 5.0)
Problems
It will breed very readily
Breeding will reduce fish production rate/quality
24. Requirements
the correct balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals
needed for fish
never overfeed the fish, and remove uneaten food after 30 minutes
Poor / changing water quality, overcrowding, and physical disturbance can cause
stress
which may lead to disease outbreaks
Take the time to observe and monitor the fish in order to recognize symptoms
early and provide treatment
28. Aquaponics in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka aquaponics introduced as a Agriculture Tourism
E.g - Gadadessa is a Holiday Resort in Kandy
29. Advantages
Reduced labour
Aquaponics uses 90% less water than traditional farming
NOT require farm land and soil
Fish feed is the only nutrient inputs
Aquacultural waste products are used
Aquaponics protects our rivers & lakes
Health & Nutrition value high
Higher production rate
Provides income from two separate products
A lot of current research and improvements going on
30. Disadvantages
High initial cost
To fill up water tanks
To build the system (Greenhouse, pumps etc.)
Difficult to grow root crops
Requires skill and experience
Constant monitoring of water parameters
Pests and diseases can be devastating
Limitations concerned with fish species reared
Competitive market prices
Requires electric energy to maintain and recycle water within the system
31. Other Possibilities in Aquaponics
Organic Aquaponics
Natural fertilizer
Natural minerals (snail shells)
Good marketing – labelling
Use of Technology
Smart phone applications
Pipe blockage warning
System automation
32. Other Possibilities in Aquaponics
Growing Indoors
Can be used underground and indoors
Artificial lighting
33. Other Possibilities in Aquaponics ……
Growing Upwards
Futuristic Concepts
Growing locally
Dedicated Skyscraper
Farms
Makes use of limited
space availability
Space missions
34. Conclusion
Aquaponics is a more sustainable food production systems
It involves the production of both fish and vegetables, using
a single nutrient source (fish feed)
however that aquaponic systems are primarily vegetable
production systems, simply because of the biological nature
of the relationship between fish nutrient production and
plant nutrient uptake
The primary advantage of aquaponics is water use efficiency.
Other oft-cited advantages include nutrient utilization
efficiency, product quality and food security
35. Reference
Bakhsh, H.K. (2008) Integrated culture, Hydroponics &Aquaponics systems. Universiti
Malaysia Terengganu.
Bernstein, S. (2011) Aquaponic gardening: A step-by-step guide to raising vegetables and
fish together. New York, NY, United States: New Society Publishers.
Long, B. (2012) The EZ guide to aeroponics, hydroponics and aquaponics: [how to create
a sustainable food supply]. Texas: Bonjour Limited Holdings.
Staff, P.S. (2007) Great source aim new jersey: Student edition Workbook 5pk grade 3
(level C) 2007. United States: Great Source Education Group.
Somerville, C. (2014) Small-scale Aquaponic food production: Integrated fish and plant
farming. Rome, Italy, Italy: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
round tanks with flat bottoms are recommended, The round shape allows water to circulate uniformly
Plastic, fiberglass = because their durability and long life span
Metal is not possible because of rust