Aquaponics - Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture ~ PDF

28 Pages·2010·0.56 MB·English

Aquaponics—Integration of
Hydroponics with Aquaculture
A Publication of ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service • 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org
By Steve Diver Aquaponics is a bio-integrated system that links recirculating aquaculture with hydroponic
NCAT Agriculture vegetable, flower, and/or herb production. Recent advances by researchers and growers alike
Specialist have turned aquaponics into a working model of sustainable food production. This publication
Published 2006 provides an introduction to aquaponics with brief profiles of working units around the country.
Updated by An extensive list of resources points the reader to print and Web-based educational materials for
Lee Rinehart, NCAT further technical assistance.
Agriculture Specialist
© 2010 NCAT
Introduction
Contents Aquaponics, also known as the integra-
Introduction .....................1 tion of hydroponics with aquaculture,
is gaining increased attention as a
Aquaponics:
Key Elements and bio-integrated food production system.
Considerations ...............2
Aquaponics serves as a model of sustain-
Aquaponic Systems ......3
able food production by following
Organic
Aquaculture ..................11 certain principles:
Evaluating
• Th e waste products of one biological
an Aquaponic
Enterprise ........................12 system serve as nutrients for a second Aquaponic vegetable bed in Australia.
Photo by Joel Malcolm, Backyard Aquaponics.
biological system.
References ......................13
www.backyardaquaponics.com
Resources .......................13 • The integration of fish and plants
Appendix I: results in a polyculture that increases into the fi sh tanks. Th e nitrifying bacteria
Bibliography diversity and yields multiple products. living in the gravel and in association with
on Aquaponics .............20
the plant roots play a critical role in nutrient
• Water is re-used through biological
Appendix II:
cycling; without these microorganisms the
Dissertations .................25 fi ltration and recirculation.
whole system would stop functioning.
• Local food production provides
access to healthy foods and enhances Greenhouse growers and farmers are taking
the local economy. note of aquaponics for several reasons:
In aquaponics, nutrient-rich effl uent from • Hydroponic growers view fish-
fi sh tanks is used to fertigate hydroponic manured irrigation water as a source
production beds. Th is is good for the fi sh of organic fertilizer that enables
because plant roots and rhizobacteria remove plants to grow well.
nutrients from the water. Th ese nutrients
ATTRA—National Sustainable • Fish farmers view hydroponics as
– generated from fi sh manure, algae, and
Agriculture Information Service
a biofi ltration method to facilitate
(www.attra.ncat.org) is managed decomposing fi sh feed – are contaminants
by the National Center for Appro- intensive recirculating aquaculture.
that would otherwise build up to toxic levels
priate Technology (NCAT) and is
funded under a grant from the in the fi sh tanks, but instead serve as liquid • Greenhouse growers view aquapon-
United States Department of
fertilizer to hydroponically grown plants. ics as a way to introduce organic
Agriculture’s Rural Business-
Cooperative Service. Visit the In turn, the hydroponic beds function as a hydroponic produce into the market-
NCAT website (www.ncat.org/
biofi lter – stripping off ammonia, nitrates, place, since the only fertility input is
sarc_current.php) for
more information on nitrites, and phosphorus – so the freshly fi sh feed and all of the nutrients pass
our sustainable agri-
cleansed water can then be recirculated back through a biological process.
culture projects.
• Food-producing greenhouses – yield- all of the nutrients supplied to the crop are
ing two products from one produc- dissolved in water. Liquid hydroponic sys-
tion unit – are naturally appealing for tems employ the nutrient film technique
niche marketing and green labeling. (NFT), floating rafts, and noncirculat-
ing water culture. Aggregate hydroponic
• Aquaponics can enable the produc-
systems employ inert, organic, and mixed
tion of fresh vegetables and fi sh pro-
media contained in bag, trough, trench,
tein in arid regions and on water-
pipe, or bench setups. Aggregate media used
limited farms, since it is a water
in these systems include perlite, vermiculite,
re-use system.
gravel, sand, expanded clay, peat, and saw-
Related ATTRA • Aquaponics is a working model of
dust. Normally, hydroponic plants are ferti-
Publications
sustainable food production wherein
gated (soluble fertilizers injected into irriga-
plant and animal agriculture are
Aquaculture Enterprises: tion water) on a periodical cycle to maintain
Considerations and integrated and recycling of nutrients moist roots and provide a constant supply
Strategies and water fi ltration are linked.
of nutrients. Th ese hydroponic nutrients are
Agricultural Business • In addition to commercial applica- usually derived from synthetic commercial
Planning Templates tion, aquaponics has become a popular fertilizers, such as calcium nitrate, that are
and Resources training aid on integrated bio-systems highly soluble in water. However, hydro-
with vocational agriculture programs organics – based on soluble organic fertiliz-
and high school biology classes. ers such as fi sh hydrosylate – is an emerg-
ing practice. Hydroponic recipes are based
Th e technology associated with aquaponics is
on chemical formulations that deliver precise
complex. It requires the ability to simultane-
concentrations of mineral elements. Th e con-
ously manage the production and marketing
trolled delivery of nutrients, water, and envi-
of two diff erent agricultural products. Until
ronmental modifi cations under greenhouse
the 1980s, most attempts at integrated hydro-
conditions is a major reason why hydropon-
ponics and aquaculture had limited success.
ics is so successful.
However, innovations since the 1980s have
transformed aquaponics technology into a Nutrients in Aquaculture Effl uent: Green-
viable system of food production. Modern house growers normally control the delivery
aquaponic systems can be highly successful, of precise quantities of mineral elements to
but they require intensive management and hydroponic plants. However, in aquapon-
they have special considerations. ics, nutrients are delivered via aquacultural
effl uent. Fish effl uent contains suffi cient lev-
Th is publication provides an introduction
els of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphorus,
to aquaponics, it profi les successful aqua-
potassium, and other secondary and micro-
ponic greenhouses, and it provides extensive
nutrients to produce hydroponic plants. Nat-
resources. It does not attempt to describe
urally, some plant species are better adapted
production methods in comprehensive tech-
to this system than others. Th e technical
nical detail, but it does provide a summary
literature on aquaponics provides greater
of key elements and considerations.
detail on hydroponic nutrient delivery; espe-
cially see papers cited in the Bibliography by
Aquaponics: Key Elements
James Rakocy, Ph.D.
and Considerations
Plants Adapted to Aquaponics: Th e selec-
A successful aquaponics enterprise requires
tion of plant species adapted to hydroponic
special training, skills, and management.
culture in aquaponic greenhouses is related
Th e following items point to key elements
to stocking density of fi sh tanks and subse-
and considerations to help prospective grow-
quent nutrient concentration of aquacultural
ers evaluate the integration of hydroponics
effl uent. Lettuce, herbs, and specialty greens
with aquaculture.
(spinach, chives, basil, and watercress) have
Hydroponics: Hydroponics is the produc- low to medium nutritional requirements
tion of plants in a soilless medium whereby and are well adapted to aquaponic systems.
Page 2 ATTRA Aquaponics—Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture
Plants yielding fruit (tomatoes, bell peppers, nitrifying bacteria involved in nutrient con-
and cucumbers) have a higher nutritional versions. Th e design manuals and technical
demand and perform better in a heavily documentation available in the Resources
stocked, well established aquaponic system. section can help growers decide which sys-
Greenhouse varieties of tomatoes are better tem is most appropriate.
adapted to low light, high humidity condi-
Component Ratio: Matching the volume
tions in greenhouses than fi eld varieties.
of fi sh tank water to volume of hydroponic
Fish Species: Several warm-water and cold- media is known as component ratio. Early
water fi sh species are adapted to recirculat- aquaponics systems were based on a ratio
ing aquaculture systems, including tilapia, of 1:1, but 1:2 is now common and tank:
trout, perch, Arctic char, and bass. How- bed ratios as high as 1:4 are employed. Th e
ever, most commercial aquaponic systems in variation in range depends on type of hydro-
North America are based on tilapia. Tilapia ponic system (gravel vs. raft), fi sh species,
is a warm-water species that grows well in fi sh density, feeding rate, plant species, etc.
a recirculating tank culture. Furthermore, For example, the Speraneo system described
tilapia is tolerant of fl uctuating water condi- below is designed for one cubic foot of water
tions such as pH, temperature, oxygen, and to two cubic feet of grow bed media (pea ilapia is a
dissolved solids. Tilapia produces a white- gravel). Further, when shallow bed systems T
warm-water
fl eshed meat suitable to local and wholesale only three inches in depth are employed for
species that
markets. Th e literature on tilapia contains the production of specialty greens such as
grows well in a
extensive technical documentation and cul- lettuce and basil, the square footage of grow
tural procedures. Barramundi and Murray space will increase four times. Depending on recirculating tank
cod fi sh species are raised in recirculating the system design, the component ratio can culture.
aquaponic systems in Australia. favor greater outputs of either hydroponic
produce or fi sh protein. A “node” is a con-
Water Quality Characteristics: Fish raised
fi guration that links one fi sh tank to a cer-
in recirculating tank culture require good
tain number of hydroponic beds. Th us, one
water quality conditions. Water quality test-
greenhouse may contain a multiple number
ing kits from aquacultural supply compa-
of fi sh tanks and associated growing beds,
nies are fundamental. Critical water quality
each arranged in a separate node.
parameters include dissolved oxygen, carbon
dioxide, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH, chlo-
Aquaponic Systems
rine, and other characteristics. Th e stocking
density of fi sh, growth rate of fi sh, feeding Profi les of several aquaponic greenhouses are
rate and volume, and related environmental highlighted below as models of commercially
fl uctuations can elicit rapid changes in water viable systems. Most of these operations are
quality; constant and vigilant water quality featured in magazine articles and conference
monitoring is essential. proceedings. Some operations off er techni-
cal assistance through short courses, design
Biofi ltration and Suspended Solids: Aqua-
manuals, and on-site tours. Please refer to
culture effl uent contains nutrients, dissolved
articles in the Resources section, and the
solids, and waste byproducts. Some aquaponic
Bibliography, for in-depth descriptions and
systems are designed with intermediate fi lters
technical details.
and cartridges to collect suspended solids in
fi sh effl uent, and to facilitate conversion of The North Carolina State
ammonia and other waste products to forms
University System
more available to plants prior to delivery to
hydroponic vegetable beds. Other systems Water consumption in an integrated aqua-
deliver fi sh effl uent directly to gravel-cultured vegeculture system amounts to 1 percent
hydroponic vegetable beds. Th e gravel func- of that required in pond culture to pro-
tions as a “fl uidized bed bioreactor,” remov- duce equivalent tilapia yields. In the 1980s
ing dissolved solids and providing habitat for Mark McMurtry (former graduate student)
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 3
and the late Doug Sanders (professor) at with benefits to both nitrifying
North Carolina State University developed bacteria and plant roots.
an aqua-vegeculture system based on tilapia
• Dissolved and suspended organic
fi sh tanks sunk below the greenhouse fl oor.
materials accumulate rapidly in aqua-
Effl uent from the fi sh tanks was trickle-irri-
culture systems and must be removed
gated onto sand-cultured hydroponic vege-
for effi cient fi sh production.
table beds located at ground level. Th e nutri-
• Previous integrated fish-vegetable
ents in the irrigation water fed tomato and
systems removed suspended solids
cucumber crops, and the sand beds and
from the water by sedimentation in
plant roots functioned as a biofi lter. After
clarifi ers prior to plant application.
draining from the beds, the water recircu-
Removal of the solid wastes resulted
lated back into the fi sh tanks. Th e only fer-
in insuffi cient residual nutrients for
tility input to the system was fi sh feed (32
good plant growth; acceptable fruit
percent protein).
yields had previously only been
Some findings and highlights of achieved with substantial supple-
McMurtry’s research: mentation of plant nutrients.
iofi lters • Benefi ts of integrating aquaculture • Aqueous nitrate concentrations in
B
(sand beds and vegetable production are: recirculating aquaculture can be
adequately regulated when fi sh and
with 1. conservation of water resources
vegetable production are linked via
vegetables) that are and plant nutrients
reciprocating biofi lters.
alternately fl ooded
2. intensive production of fi sh protein
• Tomatoes may have also assimi-
and drained with
3. reduced operating costs relative to lated nitrogen in organic amino acid
nutrient-laden
either system in isolation. forms. In 1950 Gosh and Burris
fi sh tank water are (Utilization of Nitrogenous Com-
• Water consumption in an integrated
called reciprocating pounds by Plants. Soil Science. Vol.
aqua-vegeculture system amounts
biofi lters. 70: 187-203) found that tomatoes
to 1 percent of that required in
utilize alanine, glutamic acid, his-
pond culture to produce equivalent
tidine, and leucine as eff ectively as
tilapia yields.
inorganic nitrogen sources.
• Such low-water-use symbiotic
• Research to determine the optimum
systems are applicable to the needs
ratio of fi sh tank to biofi lter volume
of arid or semi-arid regions where
on fi sh growth rate and water quality
fish and fresh vegetables are in
found that stocking density of fi sh
high demand.
and plants can vary depending on
• Organic vine-ripened, pesticide-free desired goal. Th e component ratios
produce and “fresh-daily” fish can of the system may be manipulated
bring premium prices, particularly to favor fi sh or vegetable production
during winter months in urban areas. according to local market trends or
dietary needs. Fish stocking den-
• Biofi lters (sand beds with vegetables)
sity and feeding rates are adjusted to
that are alternately fl ooded and drained
optimize water quality as infl uenced
with nutrient-laden fi sh tank water are
by plant growth rate.
called reciprocating biofi lters.
See the Bibliography on Aquaponics in the
• Reciprocating biofilters provide
appendix for a of list articles that resulted
uniform distribution of nutrient-
from the North Carolina research.
laden water within the filtration
medium during the fl ood cycle, and Aqua-vegeculture research at NCSU has
improved aeration from atmospheric been discontinued because the technology
exchange during each dewatering had evolved to the point where it is ready
Page 4 ATTRA Aquaponics—Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture
for grower application. Th e Department of methods were designed by Tom and Paula to
Horticulture and the Cooperative Exten- match their system.
sion Service at NCSU provide technical
For years, Purina® fi sh chow at 40 percent
assistance to aquaponic greenhouse growers
protein was the primary fertility input, sup-
in North Carolina.
plemented with tank-cultured algae. Tilapia
in the Speraneo system are raised for 7 to 12
The Speraneo System
months, then harvested at one to one-and-a-
In the early 1990s, Tom and Paula Speraneo half pounds in size. Later, Tom started adding
– owners of S & S Aqua Farm near West small amounts of Planters 2® rock dust on top
Plains, Missouri – modifi ed the North Car- of the gravel as a trace element supplement.
olina State method by raising tilapia in a
S & S Aqua Farm has grown fresh basil,
500-gallon tank, with fi sh effl uent linked
tomatoes, cucumbers, mixed salad greens,
to gravel-cultured hydroponic vegetable
and an assortment of vegetable, herb, and
beds inside an attached solar greenhouse.
ornamental bedding plants in the aquaponic
Later, they expanded to a full-size commer-
greenhouse. In the early 1990s, Tom and
cial greenhouse. Th e Speraneo system was
Paula were raising and selling basil for $12
practical, productive, and wildly successful.
a pound to gourmet restaurants about four
It became the model for dozens of commer-
hours away in St. Louis, Missouri. Following
cial aquaponic greenhouses and high school
passage of the North American Free Trade
biology programs.
Agreement (NAFTA), however, Mexican
Sadly, Tom Speraneo died in February 2004. imports of basil resulted in a market crash
Tom was a true pioneer in aquaponics, and to $4 per pound, so they dropped the St.
he was unfailingly generous and helpful to Louis market. S & S Aqua Farm now grows a
others. Paula Speraneo and her family con- diverse variety of vegetable and herbs, selling
tinue to run the greenhouse and actively locally at a farmers market combined with
direct sales out of their greenhouse.
participate in aquaponics technology trans-
fer. Th e following notes describe the Spera-
Tom once calculated the farm produces 45
neo system and available resources.
to 70 pounds of produce for every pound of
tilapia, an impressive yield. However, Paula
Th e commercial-scale solar greenhouse at
explained this fi gure takes into account the
S & S Aqua Farm is 50 feet by 80 feet, ori-
cumulative yields of multiple vegetable crops
ented East-West to create a south-facing
raised during the 7- to 12-month time period
slope. It contains six 1,200 gallon fi sh tanks.
required to raise fi sh to harvest.
Each tank is linked to six one-foot-deep
hydroponic beds fi lled with river gravel. Tom Th e component ratio favors vegetables over
referred to each tank-plus-hydroponic bed fi sh yields in the Speraneo system.
setup as a “node.” Th is way, each node can
Interest in the Speraneo system resulted in
operate independently of one another.
more than 10,000 visitors to the small farm
Some aspects of the Speraneo system were in Missouri, including school children, farm-
modeled after the aquaponics research at ers, researchers, and government offi cials. To
North Carolina State University, while oth- handle requests for assistance, the Speraneos
ers are modified. The Speraneos employ compiled a resource packet and design man-
hydroponic vegetable beds as “fl uidized bed ual with technical specifi cations to establish
reactors,” but they use pea-grade river gravel an S & S Aqua Farm-style aquaponic system.
instead of sand. Tilapia are raised in fi sh Th e resource packet includes a 10-minute
tanks, but the tanks are more conveniently video and a list of supplies. Response from
located above ground and tilapia hybrids growers to a practical design manual such as
adapted to cooler water temperatures are this was tremendous. Th e Speraneo system is
grown. Th e reciprocating water cycle, PVC now in use worldwide. Th e resource packet
piping, and return-flow water pumping is available through:
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 5
Aquaponic greenhouse
at S & S Aqua Farms,
West Plains, Missouri.
Photos by
Steve Diver, NCAT.
Page 6 ATTRA Aquaponics—Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture
S & S Aqua Farm Tilapia are stocked at a rate of 77 fi sh per
[Contact: Paula Speraneo] cubic meter for Nile tilapia, or 154 fi sh per
8386 County Rd. 8820 cubic meter for red tilapia and cultured for
West Plains, MO 65775 24 weeks. Th e production schedule is stag-
417-256-5124 gered so that one tank is harvested every six
weeks. After harvest, the fi sh tank is imme-
Especially see:
diately restocked. Th e fi sh are fed three times
Maturing Marvel (PDF/282K) by Vern daily with a complete, fl oating fi sh pellet at
Modeland, The Growing Edge, May-June 32 percent protein. Projected annual fi sh
1998, www.growingedge.com/magazine/back_ production is 4.16 metric tons for Nile tila-
issues/view_article.php3?AID=90535> pia and 4.78 metric tons for red tilapia.
The Genius of Simplicity (PDF/30K) In one notable experiment the UVI research-
by John Wesley Smith, The Growing ers compared the yields of a leafy herb (basil)
Edge, Winter 1993-94, www.growingedge. and a fruiting vegetable (okra) grown in
com/magazine/back_issues/view_article. aquaponic vs. fi eld production systems. Basil
php3?AID=50240 and okra were raised in raft hydroponics.
Yields of aquaponic basil were three times ames Rakocy,
Bioponics – Revolution in Food Growing:
greater than fi eld-grown, while yields of J
Missouri Aquafarmer Discovers Huge Ben- Ph.D., and
aquaponic okra were 18 times greater than
efi ts in Trace Elements by David Yarrow fi eld-grown. Based on a market price in the associates at
Remineralize the Earth, December 1997.
U.S. Virgin Islands of $22 per kg for fresh the University of
basil with stems, researchers calculated gross
The University of the Virgin the Virgin Islands
income potential. Th e aquaponic method
(UVI) developed a
Islands System would result in $515 per cubic meter per
commercial-scale
year or $110,210 per system per year. Th is
James Rakocy, Ph.D., and associates at the Uni-
compares to fi eld-produced basil at $172 per aquaponic system
versity of the Virgin Islands (UVI) developed
cubic meter per year or $36,808 per year for that has run
a commercial-scale aquaponic system that has
the same production area. When fi sh sales
continuously for
run continuously for more than fi ve years. Nile
are included, the aquaponic system yields
and red tilapia are raised in fi sh rearing tanks, more than fi ve years.
$134,245 (Rakocy, et al, 2004).
and the aquacultural effl uent is linked to fl oat-
ing raft hydroponics. Basil, lettuce, okra, and Like McMurtry, researcher Rakocy sees inte-
other crops have been raised successfully, grated water reuse systems as a viable solution
with outstanding quality and yields. to sustainable food production in developing
countries and arid regions – such as the Carib-
Th e system components include: Four fi sh
bean Islands – where fresh water is scarce.
rearing tanks at 7,800 liters each, clarifi -
To provide in-depth technical support, the
ers, fi lter and degassing tanks, air diff users,
UVI research team off ers a week-long short
sump, base addition tank, pipes and pumps,
course on aquaponics each year at the UVI
and six 400-square foot hydroponic troughs
agricultural experiment station. Th e UVI
totaling 2,400 sq. ft. Th e pH is monitored
short course is the premier educational
daily and maintained at 7.0 to 7.5 by alter-
training program available to farmers in the
nately adding calcium hydroxide and potas-
world. In addition to aquaponics, UVI spe-
sium hydroxide to the base addition tank,
cializes in greenwater tank culture, a recircu-
which buff ers the aquatic system and sup-
lating aquaculture system.
plements calcium and potassium ions at the
same time. The only other supplemental Rakocy has published extensive research
nutrient required is iron, which is added in a reports and several Extension Service bulletins
chelated form once every three weeks. on recirculating aquaculture and aquaponics.
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 7
See the Bibliography in the appendix for cita- organization – specializes in aquaculture
tions to articles and papers by Rakocy. research and education. Fresh spring water
is an abundant resource in the Appalachian
Contact:
region. However, protection of spring water
James Rakocy, Ph.D. quality as it relates to aquaculture effl uent is
University of the Virgin Islands viewed as a vital component of this technology.
Agriculture Experiment Station
For years, the institute has specialized in
RR 1, Box 10,000
cold-water recirculating aquaculture systems
Kingshill, St. Croix
raising trout and arctic char. Th e institute
U.S. Virgin Islands 00850-9781
helps Appalachian farmers set up two types
340-692-4031
of aquaculture systems: (a) an indoor, high-
[phone] FAX
tech recirculating tank method and (b) an
[email protected]
outdoor, low-tech recirculating tank method.
Aquaculture Program Treatment of aquaculture effl uent prior to
www.uvi.edu/sites/uvi/Pages/ its return to the natural stream fl ow led to
AES-Aquaculture-Home.aspx?s=RE collaborative research with USDA-ARS sci-
rials at the Aquaponics entists in Kearneysville, West Virginia, on
T integrated hydroponic-fi sh culture systems.
Freshwater www.uvi.edu/sites/uvi/Pages/
Trials at the institute’s greenhouses showed
AES-Aquaculture-Aquaponic_Systems.
Institute’s
that nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutri-
aspx?s=RE
greenhouses showed
ents in aquaculture effl uent can be eff ectively
that nitrogen, Especially see: removed by plants grown in NFT hydropon-
phosphorus, and Update on Tilapia and Vegetable Production ics or constructed wetland systems.
other nutrients in the UVI Aquaponic System
In the mid-1990s, the institute implemented
in aquaculture James E. Rakocy, Donald S. Bailey, R. an aquaponic demonstration program based
Charlie Shultz and Eric S. Th oman. Page 676-
effl uent can be on a Speraneo-style gravel-cultured system.
690. In: New Dimensions on Farmed Tila-
Tilapia is raised as a warm-water fi sh species.
eff ectively removed
pia: Proceedings of the Sixth International
Hydroponic crops include basil, lettuce, and
by plants grown
Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture, held
wetland plants.
in NFT hydroponics September 12-16, 2004 in Manila, Philippines.
or constructed Proceedings paper: 15 pages (PDF/254 K) To provide technical assistance to farm-
http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/ista6/ ers and high school biology teachers, the
wetland systems.
ista6web/pdf/676.pdf, PDF Presentation: institute published a series of publications
49 pages (PDF/1.47 MB) http://ag.arizona. on recirculating aquaculture and aquaponics.
edu/azaqua/ista/ista6/ista6web/presentation/ Th e Freshwater Institute Natural Gas Powered
p676.pdf Aquaponic System – Design Manual is a 37-
page manual published by the institute in
Aquaponics: Integrated Technology for Fish
1997. Included are diagrams and photos,
and Vegetable Production in Recirculating
details on greenhouse layout and aquaponic
Systems, James Rakocy, University of the
production, parts list with suppliers and
Virgin Islands USDA Ministerial Confer-
cost, estimated operating expense, and fur-
ence and Expo on Agricultural Science and
ther informational resources.
Technology. PowerPoint Presentation; 69
slides, www.fas.usda.gov/icd/stconf/session2/ Please note the institute no longer provides
session%202d/02-rakocy_j-2D%202nd_fi les/ direct technical assistance to farmers on
frame.htm aquaponics. Instead, it has made some of
their publications on recirculating aquacul-
The Freshwater Institute System
ture and aquaponics available online. Contact
Th e Freshwater Institute in Shepherdstown, The Freshwater Institute for information
West Virginia – a program of Th e Conser- on obtaining design manuals and other pub-
vation Fund, an environmental non-profi t lications not available as Web downloads.
Page 8 ATTRA Aquaponics—Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture
Th e Freshwater Institute The New Alchemy Institute
1098 Turner Road
Th e New Alchemy Institute in East Falmouth,
Shepherdstown, WV 25443-4228
Massachusetts, conducted research on inte-
Phone [phone]
grated aquaculture systems during the 1970s
www.freshwaterinstitute.org
and 1980s. Although the institute closed in
1991, New Alchemy publications on green-
Selected Publications from Th e Freshwater
house production and aquaponics provide
Institute:
historical insight to the emerging bioshelter
• Suggested Management Guidelines (ecosystem greenhouses) concept and are still
for An Integrated Recycle Aquacul- a valuable resource for technical information.
ture – Hydroponic System Th e Green Center, formed by a group of for-
mer New Alchemists, is again making these
• The Freshwater Institute Natural
publications available for sale. Th e website has
Gas Powered Aquaponic System –
a section featuring for-sale articles on aqua-
Design Manual
culture and bioshelters (integrated systems). A
selection of past articles is available online.
• 880 Gallon Recycle Aquaculture
System Installation Guide Contact: n warm climates,
I
Th e Green Center hydroponic
• Linking Hydroponics to a 880
28 Common Way, Hatchville, MA 02536 vegetable beds
Gallon Recycle Fish Rearing System
www.thegreencenter.net
may be located
• Operators Manual for 880 – Especially see: outside.
Recycle System
An Integrated Fish Culture Hydroponic Veg-
etable Production System (PDF/6.57 MB)
The Cabbage Hill Farm System
by Ronald D. Zweig, Aquaculture Magazine,
Cabbage Hill Farm is a non-profi t organi- May-June 1986. www.thegreencenter.net
zation located about 30 miles north of New Listed under the heading: New Alchemy Institute
York City. Th e foundation is dedicated to the Publications Online
preservation of rare breeds of farm animals,
Summary of Fish Culture Techniques in
sustainable agriculture and local food sys-
Solar Aquatic Ponds (PDF/815K) by John
tems, and aquaponic greenhouse production.
Wolfe and Ron Zweig. Journal of Th e New
Alchemists, 1977. www.thegreencenter.net
Cabbage Hill Farm designed and continues
Listed under the heading: New Alchemy Institute
to operate a simple recirculating aquaponic
Publications Online
system. Cabbage Hill Farm promotes edu-
cation on aquaponics and hosts greenhouse
Miscellaneous Systems
interns. Tours are available.
Instead of locating the fi sh and vegetable
Tilapia fi sh and leaf lettuce are the main
components in separate containers inside a
products of the Cabbage Hill Farm system,
greenhouse, fi sh production can be located
though basil and watercress are also grown
in outdoor tanks or adjacent buildings.
in smaller quantities. In addition to hydro-
Th e effl uent simply needs to be delivered to
ponics, water passes through a constructed
hydroponic vegetable beds.
reed bed outside the greenhouse for addi-
In warm climates, hydroponic vegetable
tional nutrient removal.
beds may be located outside. As an example,
Cabbage Hill Farm the Center for Regenerative Studies at Cali-
115 Crow Hill Road fornia State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Mount Kisco, NY 10549 implemented an outdoor integrated bio-sys-
914-241-2658 tem that links: (a) a pond containing treated
914-241-8264 FAX sewage wastewater stocked with tilapia and
www.cabbagehillfarm.org carp; (b) water hyacinth – an aquatic plant
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 9
Backyard Aquaponics
in Western Australia.
Photos by Joel Malcolm,
Backyard Aquaponics.
(with permission)
www.backyard
aquaponics.com
Page 10 ATTRA Aquaponics—Integration of Hydroponics with Aquaculture