Aquaponics

31 Pages·2013·1.23 MB·English

by  Richard Tyson

Aquaponics – Vegetable and Fish

Co-Production 2013
Richard Tyson
University of Florida
Orange County Extension Service
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable agriculture combines plant and

animal production, integrates natural biological

cycles, and makes the most use of nonrenewable
resources (USDA 1990 Farm Bill).
INTRODUCTION
Aquaponics is a sustainable system that integrates

hydroponic (plant) and aquaculture (animal)

systems.
Uses natural biological cycles (Nitrification)

Conserves nitrogen - fish waste nutrients are taken

up by plants reducing fertilizer inputs.
Aquaponic Systems
Floating raft Bench Bed
NFT
Crop and Fish Choices
Leafy salad crops, herbs, tomato, pepper, and

cucumber

Tilapia, rainbow trout, largemouth bass,

yellow perch, bluegill, Barramundi, koi and

other ornamental fish
System Water Quality
pH, 7.0 – 7.5


Oxygen, 5 ppm or greater


Ammonia, 1 ppm or less


Sunlight + Nutrient rich water = algae

Water Quality Measurements
pH

Ammonia

Dissolved Oxygen

Soluble Salts

Alkalinity

Nitrate

AAqquuaappoonniiccss NNiittrrooggeenn CCyyccllee
Nitrogen from Fish Feed
In aquaculture, the generation of NH -N in recirculating water

3
through fish waste is based on the fish feeding rate:

P TAN = F x PC x 0.092

T


F = feed weight, PC = % protein content of the feed, T (time) = 1 d.




1 kg of fish feed with 30% protein will produce 27.6 g of N in 1 d


Or 10% of the protein in the feed becomes nitrogen in the water!

Total Ammonia Nitrogen

TAN = NH +- N + NH – N
4 3

NH + = NH + H+
4 3

pH Determines Ammonia Equilibrium in Water
pH 6.5 7.5 8.5
NH = 0.2% ↔ 2% ↔ 18%
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