A detailed presentation on Aquaponics.

1. WELCOME TO OUR PRESENTATION
ON
AQUAPONICS
Presented By – Abeer Das, Abantika Chatterjee, Arpita Mandal, Ayan Baksi,
Chandrika Dey, Gitasree Roy, Majharul Islam,
Rakib Hossain Mondal

3. What is Aquaponics ?
Aquaponics is a farming method that effectively combines hydroponics (plant
growth without soil) and aquaculture (fish farming).
It is believed that ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and China are
where aquaponics first emerged. However, the development of modern
aquaponics is largely credited to work done in the 1970s by academics and
industry professionals, including Dr. James Rakocy of the University of the
Virgin Islands.

4. HOW DOES AQUAPONICS WORK?

5. Nitrogen cycle takes place in the grow bed. Following are the reactions:
NH3 + O2 NO2- + H2O
NO2- + O2 NO3-
Ammonia Oxygen Nitrite Water
Nitrite Oxygen Nitrate
Nitrosomonas Bacteria
Nitrobacter Bacteria

6. WHY AQUAPONICS?
The following are some advantages of aquaponics that make it a desirable choice for
sustainable agriculture:
• Water Conservation (Up to 90%) .
• 4-6 times more productive .
• Sustainable (it is a closed-loop system that utilizes waste from fish to fertilize plants, and
the plants, in turn, purify the water for the fish) .
• No weed .
• Space Efficient .
• Energy Efficient.
• Organic(No additionalfertilizersneed to be applied).
• Fewer waste production.
• No plant dehyrdation(continuous water supply from fish tank).
• No bending, digging& heavy lifting.
• No dependence on external climateflactuations.
Overall, aquaponics is a productive and sustainable agricultural technique
that has many advantages for the economy, the environment, and public
health.

7. TYPES OF AQUAPONICS
Aquaponics
Media
Based
Nutrient
Film
Technique
Raft
System

8. 1. Media Based Aquaponics System - The media-based technique,
also known as Flood and Drain, is widespread in small-scale
aquaponics systems. A media-based system plants crops in a
growbed or container filled with grow medium (often gravel,
lava rock, or clay pebbles). A bell syphon periodically floods the
grow bed with water from the fish tank so that the plants may
receive the nutrients. The water then drains back into the fish
tank, where the cycle begins again. In the grow bed, all waste is
broken down.
2. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) - Because of its straightforward
yet efficient design that functions well in specific settings, the
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a hydroponic growing method
that has been converted to aquaponics. The plants are cultivated
on lengthy, narrow tubes in the NFT method. Each channel has a
thin film of water flowing down it continuously, feeding the
roots of the plants with water, nutrients, and oxygen. The water
flows from the fish tank through filtering elements, through the
NFT channels where plants are cultivated, and back into the fish
tank, similar to the raft system. In NFT, there isn't enough
surface area for the good bacteria to live, so a separate biofilter
is needed.
3. Raft System - The raft system of aquaponics, also known as the
Deep Water Culture (DWC), is one of the most efficient
aquaponics system designs. The nutrient-rich water circulates
through the lengthy canals in a raft system, normally at a depth
of approximately 20 cm, while rafts (polystyrene or foam board)
float on top. Plants are planted on raft boards that are supported
within holes by net pots. Plant roots dangle in nutrient-rich,
oxygenated water, absorbing oxygen and nutrients while they
grow fast. The nutrient-rich water travels continually from the
fish tank through the filtration process, then to the raft tank
where the plants develop, and then back to the fish tank. The raft
tank is usually separate from the fish tank.

9. COMPONENTS OF AQUAPONICS
1. Fishes
2. Plants
Tilapia
(Oreochromis niloticus)
Japanese Koi Carp
(Cyprinus rubrofuscus)
GoldFish
(Carassius auratus)
Trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Lettuce Tomatoes Strawberries Basil
PRIMARY COMPONENTS
Lactuca sativa Solanum lycopersicum Fragaria × ananassa Ocimum basilicum

10. 3. Bacteria
• This is a species of bacteria that is commonly used in aquaponics to convert ammonia into nitrites.
• This is another species of bacteria that is used in aquaponics to convert nitrites into nitrates.
• This is a beneficial soil bacterium that is often used in aquaponics to help break down organic matter and
improve soil health.
• This is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that forms a symbiotic relationship with leguminous plants such as
beans and peas, helping them to absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that can be used by
the plant.
SECONDARY COMPONENTS
Fish tank, grow bed, grow bed support frame, plumbing, pipe & fittings, water pump,
aerator & airstone (in fish tank), light & bio-filter [specifically for NFT & DWC].
Nitrosomonas europaea Nitrobacter winogradskyi Bacillus subtilis Rhizobium sp.

11. SETUP OF AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
• Design and Planning - Designing and planning the aquaponics system
is the initial phase. This include estimating the system's size, picking
suitable fish and plants, and deciding where to put the system.
• Build The Fish Tank - The aquaponics system's beating heart is the fish
tank. It ought to be big enough to hold the fish of the desired size and
number. It should also have a pump to move the water around and a
filtering system.
• Build The Grow Bed - The plants will be grown in the grow bed. It should
be placed above the fish tank and filled with a soil less medium such as
gravel or clay pebbles. A water distribution system should also be
installed in the grow bed to ensure that the plants receive the necessary
nutrients and water.
• Connect The Two - The grow bed and fish tank will now be connected via
a plumbing system. Pumps are used to move water from the fish tank
into the grow bed, where it is cleaned by the vegetation and then
returned to the fish tank.
• Add Fish - It's time to stock the tank with fish after the plumbing has
been installed. The type and quantity of fish will vary depending on the
tank's size and the expected crop yields.
• Add Plants - It is time to add plants to the grow bed after the fish have
been added. The ability of the plants to flourish in a soilless
environment and their dietary requirements should be taken into
consideration while choosing them.
• Test and Adjust - Finally, it's critical to test the water quality on a regular
basis and make any necessary adjustments to keep the system balanced
and healthy.

12. BUDGET FOR SETTING UP AN
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
The cost of setting up an aquaponics system can vary widely depending on the size,
complexity, and location of the system. Here are some approximate costs in Indian
Rupees (INR) for a basic small-scale aquaponics system:
Fish tank: INR 5,000 - INR 10,000
Grow bed: INR 5,000 - INR 10,000
Water pump: INR 1,500 - INR 3,000
Plumbing and fittings: INR 2,000 - INR 5,000
Fish: INR 1,000 - INR 3,000
Plants: INR 1,000 - INR 3,000
Total approximate cost: INR 15,500 - INR 34,000
Note that these are rough estimates and the actual cost may vary depending on
the specific components and materials used, as well as any additional
equipment or infrastructure needed for the system.

13. PARAMETERS TO MONITOR
1. Water Quality - The water quality in the system is critical to the
health of the fish and plants. Monitoring parameters such as pH,
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, and temperature is
critical.
2. Fish Health - The fish's health should also be monitored on a regular
basis. Lethargy, loss of appetite, and abnormal behaviour are all
symptoms of stress or illness.
3. Plant Health - Plants should be checked for nutrient deficiencies,
pest infestations, and disease.
4. System Performance - Regular monitoring of the aquaponics
system's overall performance is also necessary. This involves
examining the system's water flow rate, the filtration system's
performance, and the health and production of the fish and plants.
5. Environmental Factors - Environmental aspects like temperature,
humidity, and light should also be taken into account because they
can significantly affect the health and development of the plants.

14. MAINTENANCE OF AQUAPONICS
SYSTEM
• Monitoring of water quality.
• Feeding the fish with a quality diet.
• Monitoring of fish health.
• Maintaining of the filtration system.
• Prune and Harvesting.
• Control of pests and diseases.
• Maintenance of system components.

15. FUTURE SCOPE
The prospects for aquaponics are bright and there is significant room for expansion
and innovation. Here are some of the main areas where aquaponics is most likely to
advance and grow:
• Sustainable Agriculture (SA) - The environmental impact of traditional
agriculture can be lessened by using aquaponics as a sustainable and
environmentally friendly way of food production. Aquaponics is anticipated to
become a more widely used form of food production as concerns about
sustainability and climate change continue to rise.
• Urban Agriculture (UA) - Urban agricultural solutions are becoming more and
more necessary as the world's population moves closer to the cities. Aquaponics
is a perfect method for urban agriculture since it provides a small-scale, effective
way of food production that can be adapted to urban settings.
• Automation and Technology (AT) - The effectiveness and productivity of
aquaponics systems are predicted to continue to increase with the development
of automation and technology. Technology can be used to enhance aquaponics
systems in a number of ways, including smart sensors, automated feeding
systems, and remote monitoring and control.
• Commercial Applications (CA) - Aquaponics is likely to become a more
attractive choice for producing commercial food as it gains more traction and
technology advances. Aquaponics has the potential to completely change how we
produce and consume food because it can produce all year round and can grow a
variety of crops.

16. 2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
SA UA AT CA
Scope
Year
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF FUTURE SCOPE

17. APPLICATIONS IN PRESENT TIME
Around the world, aquaponics is employed in a range of applications and
has recently grown in popularity. Here are some instances of how
aquaponics is employed in various continents :
Europe Asia Africa
North America

18. DISADVANTAGES
Aquaponics has many benefits, but there are also some
drawbacks to take into account. The following are some
possible downsides of aquaponics systems:
• Upfront Cost.
• Energy Consumption.
• Technical Expertise.
• Dependence of Electricity.
• Disease and Pest Control.
• Limited Crop Selection.

19. CONCLUSION
Aquaponics is a closed loop and innovative food
production system that has uses from home system to
large scale businesses.
While there are some initial cost & requirement of
technical expertise, the benefit of aquaponics far
outway its challenges.
Aquaponics has the potential to revolutionize the
way we cultivate our food. Therefore, aquaponics is
worth exploring for all growers, from small-scale to
large-scale.