epa aquaponics webinar

16 Pages·2016·4.01 MB·English

Indiana Aquaculture Association Newsletter
2016
Issue 2

EPA AQUAPONICS WEBINAR
Contents

Page 2
EPA Aquaponics Webinar IAAI Members Meet with
U.S. EPA Brownfields – Promoting Aquaponics in Redevelopment Projects
ISDA
November 15, 2016
Aquaponics, the production of protein and produce - EPA has scheduled a Webinar, titled
Page3-4
'U.S. EPA Brownfields – Promoting Aquaponics in Redevelopment Projects', for
November 15, 2016 to provide an opportunity to "... learn about a new planning tool, Extension Directory
developed by U.S. EPA, which can help communities create these healthy food
production systems: Aquaponics Business Plan User Guide and Worksheets. This new Page 5
tool is based on the acclaimed U.S. EPA Urban Farm Business Planning Guide. While
IAAI ENEWS Letter
originally created to encourage aquaponics development on brownfields [properties that
may have hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants present], the new guide is
Page 6
now available for use in any community. [Participants will] learn about aquaponics
business planning, as well as hear about the experience of the East Capital Urban Farm in Flawed Rapid Screen assigns
implementing an urban aquaponics project in Washington D.C. The East Capital Urban
High Risk to Nationally
Farm is developing urban food hubs to connect neighborhoods to healthy food ..."
Valuable Fish & Crawfish
Registration:

http://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/504172638621802500 Page7-12
The EPA Aquaponic Business Plan User Guide as well as its supporting worksheets are
Tech Talk: Aquaponics 101
available at:
http://www.epa.gov/land-revitalization/aquaponics-business-plan-user-guide
Page13

The EPA Brownfields website is available at: AADAP Press Releases
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Page14-15
Questions may be directed to the Land Revitalization Team of the EPA Office of
Brownfields and Land Revitalization at 202 566 2777 or use the Contact form provided Upcoming Events
at: http://www.epa.gov/land-revitalization/forms/contact-us-about-land-revitalization
www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 1
IAAI Members Meet With ISDA
ByMikeSearcy
TheIndianaStateDepartmentofAgricultureonceagainconducted Seminar.TheIAAImembersdiscussedwiththeISDAourresults
meetingswithvariousagriculturalinterestgroupsduringtheIndiana fromastatewidesurveyconductedtofindoutwhatinterestthereis
StateFair.OnAugust8ththeIndianaAquacultureAssociationmet infishandshrimpprocessing.IAAItoldthegroupthatMPU
withISDADirectorTedMcKinneyandmost,ifnotall,oftheISDA feasibilitywasverypoorbuttheneedforoneifnottwobrickand
Staff(ISDAStaff http://www.in.gov/isda/2333.htm).Themeeting mortarprocessingfacilitieswouldprovideamajorboostingrowing
washeldattheNormandyBarnattheStateFairgroundsin theAquacultureindustryinIndiana.
Indianapolis.ThepurposeofthesemeetingsistohelptheISDA
keepintouchwiththevariousagriculturalsectorsandhelpthem DirectorTedMcKinneygavehisglowingassessmentoftheIndiana
grow. Growninitiativeandhowitmightfitwiththegrowthofaquaculturein
Indiana.AsafollowuptotheIAAIbringingonapaidExecutive
TheIndianaAquacultureAssociationwasabletosharewiththe BoardMemberthegroupwastoldthatitwouldnotbeeconomically
ISDAwhatourvision,activities,andgoalsfromthepreviousyear feasibletoaddsuchapositionatthistime.ThenewIAAIwebsite
were.Topicsfromthe2015meetingwiththeISDAwere;backing wastoutedasuccessandofferingsofpromotingIAAIevents
fromaneducationalentity,theneedforprocessing(lookingintothe throughtheISDAwereactedon.
costandfeasibilityofaMobileProcessingUnit.),introductionof
IndianaGrown,theneedforExecutiveBoardMember(Tobea Whilenothingearthshatteringcamefromthismeetingitisgoodto
catalystbetweentheIAAIandlegislators),andplansforarevamped notetheimportanceofthesemeetings.Itservestokeepanopen
website. dialogbetweenIndianaAquacultureandthelegislation.Itallowsus
toputfaceswithnamesandseethesincerityoftheISDAstaffand
TheIAAIreportedinthis,the2016meeting,thatinthepastyearwe theirdesiretohelp.Indianaisafishfriendlystateandit’sbecauseof
hadincreasedourtieswithPurdueUniversity.WhileaddingPurdue goodcommunicationbetweentheaquacultureindustryandan
facultymemberstoourmembershipaswellasourBoardof interestedgoverningbodythatwehavegreatfutureprospects.
Directors,wealsohadjointinterestinaCulinaryTourandaShrimp
www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 2
EXTENSION SPECIALIST DIRECTORY
programemphasizethedevelopmentofsustainableand
Aquacultureextensionagentsarespecialistswhoactasliasons
environmentallyfriendlyproductiontechnologythatcanincreasethe
betweenthescientificcommunityandtheaquacultureindustrytohelp efficiencyofinputsandproduction,andtheevaluationand
applyscientificresearchandnewknowledgetoproductionpractices introductionofalternativehorticulturalcrops.Beforearrivingat
Purdue,Dr.Langenhovendedicatedhiscareertothedevelopmentof
througheduction.Extensionagentsarevaluableresourcestohavein
Sub-SaharanAfrica’shorticulturesector.HecompletedhisM.S.in
ourregionandareavailabletoassistyouwhetheryouareinplanning agronomyatStellenboschUniversity;andcompletedhisPh.D.in
orarelookingtoimproveyourexistingbusiness.Thayareheretohelp agronomy,specializinginvegetableproductioninhightunnels,at
Stellenbosch.Asoperationsdirectorandsenioragronomistat
you.
AgribusinessinSustainableNaturalAfricanPlantProducts(ASNAPP)
—anon-governmentalorganization—Dr.Langenhovenled
greenhousecropproduction,specialtyfresh-marketvegetableand
PaulHitchens
herbcropresearch,andtechnologytransferprograms.Hespecialized
AquacultureSpecialist
inanalyzinganddevelopinghorticulturesupplychains.Thankstohis
SouthernIllinoisUniversity extensiveexperienceinappliedon-farmresearchanddevelopment,
618-453-5590 outreachandextension,agribusinessdevelopment,andthe
[email protected] implementationofsustainablefarmingmodels,Dr.Langenhovenhas
assistedmanystart-upagribusinessesindevelopingbusiness
PaulHitchensisanAquaculturespecialistwithmorethan35yearsof feasibilityplans,productionplanningandmanagement,andproduct
aquacultureexperience,21oftheseinternationallyasTechnical marketing.Duringthepast12yearshehasbeeninvolvedinseveral
Managerforcommercialmarineshrimpproductioninbothextensive UnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID)funded
andintensiveproductionsystems.Paulhasbothfarmandhatchery agriculturaldevelopmentprojects.HeservedasChairmanofIntensive
managementexperienceculturingmarineshrimp,aswellasfarming AgricultureSouthAfrica(IASA)for8years,representingproducers
otherspeciesincludingTilapia,Clams,Oysters,Redfish,Largemouth andcompaniesfromthecontrolledenvironmentagricultureindustry
Bass,HybridStripedBass,andFreshwaterPrawn.Hehasbeenthe inSouthAfrica.Dr.Langenhovenistrulypassionateabouthorticulture,
AquacultureSpecialistattheCenterforFisheries,Aquaculture,and specificallyaboutcontrolled-environmentagricultureandtheimpactit
AquaticSciencesinSouthernIllinoisUniversityCarbondalesince2005, canleaveonyear-round,local,sustainablefoodproduction.
focusingprimarilyonproductionofLargemouthBassinpondsand
cagecultureofHybridStripedBassinsurfacecoalminelakes.He AllenPattillo
providesoveralltechnicalservicesupportandmarketingassistanceto ExtensionFisheriesandAquacultureSpecialist
theIllinoisaquacultureproducersforsalestotheUnitedStatesand IowaStateUniversity
Canadianlivefishmarkets.PaulisfluentinbothEnglishandSpanish. 515-294-8616
[email protected]
Dr.RonaldKinnunen
MichiganSeaGrantExtensionEducator
AllenPattilloisthefisheriesandaquacultureextension
MichiganStateUniversity specialistatIowaStateUniversity. Hiscurrentresearchinitiatives
906-3687 includeaquaponicsproduction,foodsafety,andsustainabilityaswell
[email protected] asaquacultureproductioninrenovatedlivestockconfinement
facilities. Pattilloalsospecializesinsmallpondandaquaticplant
management,aswellasanglingeducation.
Dr.KinnunenisaExtensionspecialistforMichiganSeagrant.Hehas
beenwithMichiganSeagrantsince1981.Hisareasofexpertiseare Dr.KwamenaQuagrainie
workingwithstateandtribalcommercialfisherman,training
AquacultureMarketingSpecialist/Aquaculture
processingfacilitiestomeetHACCPrequirements,andalsoworkswith
MarketingDirector/AssociateProfessor
baitfish
PurdueUniversity
765-494-4200
[email protected]
Dr.PetrusLangenhoven
HorticultureandHydroponoicCropSpecialist
Dr.KwamenaQuagrainieholdsapostasaAquaculture
PurdueUniversity
MarketingSpecialistthroughIndiana-IllinoisSeaGrant
765-496-7955
CollegeprogramandistheAquacultureMarketingDirectorandan
[email protected]
AssociateProfessoratPurdueUniversity.Hisareasofexpertiseare
marketanalysis,marketdevelopment,productdistributionandmarket
structures,value-addedandnichemarketopportunitiesfor
Dr.PetrusLangenhovenistheHorticultureandHydroponicsCrop aquacultureproductsandfeeds,anddevelopmentofenterprise
SpecialistintheDepartmentofHorticultureandLandscape budgets.DrQuagrainie,alsoknownasK.K.,helpsfarmersunderstand
ArchitectureatPurdueUniversity.Hisfocusisonsupportingthe existingmarketsandworktowarddevelopingmarkets.
growinglocal-foodmovementbyassistinggrowerswiththeexpansion
oftheirhorticulturesector.Hiscollaborativeextensionandresearch
www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 3
EXTENSION SPECIALIST DIRECTORY
HerelatelyIhavebecomeinvolvedinaquaticinvasivespecies,albeit
I'manamateuratbest.I'madecentgeneralistbutI'mnotrealsure
RobertRode
whatIwouldsaymyexpertiseisin.Thatwouldprobablybemostly
AquacultureResearchLabManager
baitfishwithotherinterestsinwaterquality,alternativeaquaculture
PurdueUniversity
productionsystemsandspecies,andaquaticinvasivespecies.
765-583-0351
[email protected] ChrisWeeks
RegionalAquacultureExtension
CurrentlyBobisthemanageroftheAquaculture MichiganStateUniversity
ResearchLabofPurdueUniversityinW.Lafayette,
517-353-2298
Indiana. ThemajorityofBob’sjobentailsmanagementofthelab’s
[email protected]
indoorandpondfacilitiesforaquaticsresearch. Bobalsohasan
extensionappointmentandtriestohavedemonstrationprojectsof
Dr.ChrisWeeksservesasanAquacultureExtension
relevancetoproducersandinterestedpartiesintheMidwest.
SpecialistfortheNorthCentralRegionalAquaculture
Bobhasavariedbackgroundworkingforboththepublicandprivate
CenterandMichiganStateUniversity. Heobtaineda
sectors.BobwasthepondmanagerattheUniversityofArkansasat
BSdegreeinaerospaceengineeringfromSanDiegoState,andMSand
PineBluff’sresearchfacility,workedonacatfishfarminCaliforniaand
PhDinFisheriesandWildlifefromMichiganStateUniversity. After
amarinefinfishhatcheryinNewHampshire. Hewasanaquaculture
completinghisPhDresearchinfishnutrition,hemanagedMSU’sfish
volunteerwiththePeaceCorpsinThailand. HehasaBSinWildlife
waterresearchlabandconductedfishdiseasechallengestudies. In
ManagementfromtheUniversityofMaineandaMSinAquaculture
2008ChrisbecametheRegionalAquacultureExtensionSpecialistand
fromAuburnUniversityinAlabama.
hiscurrentcareergoalscenteronsustainableaquaculturegrowthfor
theNorthCentralUS. Chris’sexperiencealsoincludesstrategic
planning,businessdevelopment,productionsystemdesignand
MatthewSmith
management,aquaticanimalhealth,baitfish,regulations,andaquatic
AquacultureExtensionSpecialist
nuisancespecies.
OhioStateUniversity
740-289-2071
EmmaWiermaa
[email protected]
OutreachSpecialist
UniversityofWisconsin-StevensPoint
Mybachelor'sisinFisheriesManagement
NorthernAquacultureDemonstration
(managinglakes,streams,ponds,etc.forahealthy
Facility
andbalancedecosystem).Mymaster'sisinaquaculturewheremy
36445StateHwy13
specificresearchwaslookingatalternativeproductionsystemsfor
715-779-3262
goldenshiners.Thisalternativesystem,calledasplitpondsystem,has
alreadybeenreadilyacceptedbycatfishfarmersdownsouth.Our aquaculture.uwsp.edu
researchlookedatculturingotherspeciesinasimilarmanner.After
mymaster'sIworkedinafishdiseasediagnosticslabinLonoke, EmmagraduatedfromUniversityofWisconsin-EauClairewithaB.S.in
Arkansas.ThatmeansIspentalotoftimetestingbasicwaterquality EcologyandEnvironmentalBiology.SheistheAquacultureOutreach
parametersbecausealltoooftenwaterqualityisbadandthat'swhy andEducationSpecialistforUWSPNorthernAquaculture
fisharestressed.Ialsoalwaystestedalkalinitywhenthefarmers DemonstrationFacility.Herdutiesincludeconductingtoursforthe
wantedtoaddcoppersulfatetotheirponds.InthediagnosticslabI facility,socialnetworkingandwebsitebuilding,connectingand
gainedsomeexperienceinparasitology.Muchofmyworkatthatlab providingassistancetoschools,private,federalorstatefarmsand
consistedofconductingappliedresearchtrials.Asyoumentionedin organizations,presentingUWSPNADFprojectsandresearch,analyzing
thewrite-up,Iworkedwithtestingpondsforhydrogensulfide,testing data,assistinginresearch,andwritingreports,articles,manuals.
larvalgrasscarptoseewhetherornottheirweretriploid,highwater
temperaturestudiesforlargemouthbassandtheireffectonfeeding
rateandfeedingregimes,amongothers.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE IAAI
FORMOREINFORMATION
Visitusonlineatwww.indianaaquaculture.com
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www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 4
iaai enews letters
OntheeveningofAugustthe31sttheIAAIissuedit'sfirstever
electronicnewsletter.TheIAAIeNews:TailsfromtheDeepfeatured
3articlesandalistofupcomingevents.Theintroductionofthe
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AllarticlesthatappearineNewsletterswillalsobeavailableon-line
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www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 5
Flawed Rapid Screen Assigns High Risk to Nationally Valuable Fish and Crayfish
By Paul Zajicek
TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(FWS)isusingaquickenvironmental eggsorhybridsmaynotimportedortransportedinterstate.
riskanalysis,calledanEcologicalRiskScreeningSummary(ERSS),to
assessnonnativeandnativespeciesimpactsontheenvironmentandlikely EcologicalRiskScreeningSummary
locationsthattheymightcolonizetheUnitedStates.Implementationofthe In2009theFWSdevelopedarapidenvironmentalimpactscreening
methodinadequatelycollectsandanalyzesbiologicalandecologicaldata, methodologytoassignspeciestolow,highoruncertainriskcategories.
includesaclimatematchingmethodthaterroneouslyestimatesaspecies Speciesassignedalowriskhavenohistoryofinvasiveness,meaningthe
rangeandlacksananalysisofstatelawsthatregulatespeciesandthe specieshasbeeneitherdocumentedasestablishedinoneormore
economicornaturalresourcebenefitsrealizedfromtheculture,sales, ecosystemsforatleast10years,andafterscientificstudy,nosubstantial
possession,orreleaseofthespecies. evidenceofharmexists,orhasbeeninsubstantialtrade(e.g.,amillion
specimens)forsubstantialtimewithoutestablishment,spread,andimpact
OnSeptember30,2016,theFWSpublishedafinalrulebasedin-parton andalowclimatematch. Speciesassignedhighriskhaveadocumented
ERSSreports,thatlists10nonnativefishandonecrayfishasInjurious historyofinvasivenessbaseduponscientificevidencethatiscredibleand
Wildlife.TheCenterofInvasiveSpeciesPrevention(CISP)announcedon substantial,andmediumorhighclimatematch.Speciesthatareassignedan
thesamedaythattheyhadsubmittedapetitiontolist43species.Their uncertainriskbecausetheassessorcannotfindinformationorenough
petitionwasbasedsolelyuponahighriskERSSfindingsbytheFWS.This informationtomakeadecision.
petitionincludesnativeandnonnativespeciescultured,possessedorsold
throughouttheUnitedStatesforfood,watergardening,recreationalfishing NextSteps
orbiologicalcontrol.Thesespecies,ortheirhybrids,aretheblackacara, WecannotoveremphasizetheimportanceofrespondingtotheCISP
bluecatfish,commoncarp(i.e.,koi),grasscarp,guppies,Jaguarguapote, petitionwithconstructive,science-basedcomments. Webelievefarmers
threeplecos(Amazon,Orinocoandvermiculatedsailfincatfish),red willbeaskingforassistancetodevelopcommentsortoprovidebiological
swampcrawfish,andthethreetilapia(i.e.,blue,MozambiqueandNile). orecologicaldataaboutthesespecies.Wealsobelievethatveryfew
farmersarefamiliarwiththeUSFishandWildlifeService’sEcologicalRisk
TheLaceyActandInjuriousWildlife ScreeningSummaries(ERSS)ortheprocesstolistInjuriousWildlife. The
TheLaceyActwaspassedin1900toregulatehuntingofwildgameto firststepbytheNAAistobringeveryoneuptospeedonthiscomplex
supplycommercialmarketsandprohibittheimportationofnonnative issueandwewouldbehappytoworkwithfarmersorotherstoprovide
InjuriousWildlife.InjuriousWildlifearedefinedasbeing“mammals,birds, informationinthatregard.Growers,sellers,distributorsandendusersthat
fish(includingmollusksandcrustacea)amphibians,andreptiles”thatare areinterestedinmoreinformationorwishtotakeactionandcommentto
"injurioustohumanbeings,totheinterestsofagriculture,horticulture, theFWSaboutthepetition,areencouragedtocontacttheNational
forestry,ortowildlifeorwildliferesourcesoftheUnitedStates." Upon [email protected].
listingasInjuriousWildlifetheseliveanimalsandtheirgametes,viable
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www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 6
TECH TALK
Aquaponics 101 by: D. Allen Pattillo
Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension
Iowa State University

Aquaponics is the union of hydroponic plant levels, ideal flow rates, and waste removal in this
production and aquaculture for a fast, efficient area. Water quality is related to chemical
method of producing both fish and plant crops. components in the water like ammonia and
Fish waste from the aquaculture portion of the nitrite, as well as elements needed for respiration,
system is broken down by bacteria into dissolved namely oxygen. It is also necessary to provide a
nutrients that plants then utilize to grow in the tank covering to prevent fish from jumping out of
hydroponic component. This nutrient removal the tanks; some fish, like tilapia, are powerful
not only improves water quality for the fish but jumpers and given the opportunity will escape to
also decreases overall water consumption by their demise. Using a heavy lid made of
limiting the amount released as effluent. waterproof material that covers the tank
Advantages of this closed-loop system over completely is ideal.
conventional crop production methods include:
1) reduced land area requirements,
2) reduced water consumption,
3) accelerated plant growth rates,
4) year-round production in controlled
environments,
5) operational efficiency with shared
equipment,
6) reduced or eliminated effluents, and
7) multiple crops produced simultaneously.

System Components
There are several basic components required for
an aquaponics system to run effectively.

Fish culture tank with a mesh covering

Mechanical and Biological Filter
The filtration unit is designed to remove solids
from the water while also converting toxic
ammonia into nitrate for uptake by the plants in
the hydroponic unit. There are many types of
mechanical filters: inexpensive filter pads that
must be cleaned by hand, passive water clarifiers,
fluidized sand and bead filters that combine solids
and biological filtration, and high-volume and
Schematic representation of the aquaponics
high-cost self-cleaning micro-screen drum filters.
units used at Iowa State University.
Each of these systems have their advantages for

filtering capacity, maintenance, and cost. The
Fish Culture Tank
decision as to which one will be used must be
The fish culture tank provides the environment
made by the producer. Filter pads are inexpensive
for the fish to live and grow. It is important to
and disposable, but do require daily cleaning. The
maintain good water quality, adequate oxygen
www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 7
TECH TALK
higher the fish capacity and feeding rates, the
more frequently solids will need to be cleared
from the filter, and thus more automated filters
may become necessary because of reduced labor
costs relative to other methods.

Nutrient film technique modified for aquaponics
with a garden hose

Deep-water culture is also known as floating raft
culture, and is the most commercially adopted

Protein skimmer (foam fractionator) above the technique because of its simplicity and reliability.
solids filter pad Deep-water culture uses a floating or suspended
platform to support the plants with holes for the
Below the filter pads is the biological filter. The roots to access the water. Polystyrene insulation
biofilter consists of a substrate where beneficial is typically used as the raft and plastic net pots
bacteria (e.g. Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter support the plants, although some new food-
spp.) can grow in high densities with high grade materials have been developed. The rafts
exposure to water and air for the conversion of provide many benefits including ease of use,
toxic ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. As previously mobility, simple cleaning, and lower risk of plant
mentioned, there are many choices for biofilter mortality during power outages. Plants in a deep
design and substrate material, with some water culture unit may live up to two weeks
mechanical filters also functioning as the biofilter. without water flow or aeration as compared to
The best choice is usually the least expensive and hours or days in other systems.
lightest weight product that will allow for water
and air to pass through without clogging.

Hydroponic Unit
The hydroponic portion of the aquaponics system
is where the plants gather nutrients and grow.
Given that profitability is driven by outputs, and
plants need space to grow, a commercial system
should have as little wasted space for walking and
maintenance as possible. Five basic categories of
hydroponic units are commonly used in
aquaponics: 1) flood and drain, 2) deep-water
culture, 3) nutrient film technique (NFT), 4) drip
irrigation and 5) vertical growing systems. Deep water culture using a floating raft

www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 8
TECH TALK
Sump Tank with Pump Water Source/Head Tank
The sump is the ultimate collection area for water Source water is an important consideration in any
that flows by gravity and is located at the lowest aquaculture system. Whether the water is from
elevation in the entire system. The sump is also a groundwater, surface runoff, rainwater collected,
reservoir that generally contains no plants or fish, or municipal sources will determine the
and is a good addition point for mixing chemical management practices appropriate for treating
and nutrient additives that must dissolve before the water prior to entering the system. Municipal
entering the system. Larger tanks will provide the water can be relatively cold with a high pH and
benefit of more water storage capacity, water chlorine. A head tank is a staging area where the
chemistry stability, and heat buffering due to the municipal sourced water is allowed to warm to
thermal mass of water. Pumps should have the ambient air temperature and the water is
enough head pressure to provide adequate flow dechlorinated. It is beneficial to use an opaque
rates to turn over the fish tank water at least container with a lid to prevent light penetration
three times per hour. Additional biofilter and algae growth in the head tank.
substrate or cleaner fish like mosquito fish, redear
sunfish, or juvenile tilapia can be added into the Heating/Cooling
sump if needed, but should be guarded from the In intensive production systems it is important to
pump intake. regulate temperature to optimize fish and plant
growth. The two main choices producers have is
to heat/cool the water or the air. Maximum
control of the environmental temperature can be
accomplished through a combination of both.
Geothermal heating is an ecologically friendly
method of temperature regulation. Geothermal
helps stabilize the water and air temperature
relatively close to that of ground water, 54-58°F,
thus reducing heating costs for winter and cooling
costs in the summer.

Water Testing Equipment
Key water quality parameters like dissolved
oxygen (DO), pH, and temperature should be
Sump tank with pump
tested daily. Critical chemical components such as

ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and alkalinity should be
Aerator/Blower
measured twice a week. Other components like
Aeration is important in aquaponics because it
CO , chloride, and iron should be tested every one
2
creates water flow and performs gas exchanges
to two weeks. As with other water testing
for oxygen (O ), carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
2 2 equipment, there is a range of time and expense
gas (N ), hydrogen sulfide gas (H S), and others.
2 2 for each method and they should be selected
High dissolved oxygen (DO) levels promote
based on system size, materials, and labor
nitrogen processing and nutrient uptake in the
budgets.
plant roots. Free aeration should be taken
advantage of whenever possible; this includes
waterfall action from a pipe into a reservoir
trickling water over filter pads, and biofilter
substrate.

www.IndianaAquaculture.com Page 9
TECH TALK
Seed Germination Area
their availability near cities and the greater ability
The seed germination area is where the seeds are
to insulate the crops from prevailing weather
sown into the growing medium and grown until
conditions. Warehouse growing will require the
they are large enough to transplants into the
use of artificial light, which is a major energy
system. Seedlings are very sensitive to
input, however the heat created artificially can
temperature, pH, humidity, light intensity,
create an operational efficiency by reducing
fertilization, watering regime, and insect
heating requirements.
predation. Germination trays are used to sprout

seeds under optimal conditions, and operational
efficiency can be enhanced by planting seedlings
close together to save space. Transplanting most
Water chemistry testing kit
leafy greens should occur once they have reached

at least three inches in height or diameter, or
Healthy (left) and nutrient deficient (right)
Grow Lights
after they have produced at least three true
tomato plants
Grow lights are used to extend the photoperiod
leaves. At this time they are more hardy and may

for optimal growth conditions in a given plant
become light limited if they remain in the grow
Nutrient Supplementation
species. Sunlight is typically the best and least
trays.
Three micronutrients are typically lacking in fish
expensive option for crop production, and is

feed - calcium, iron, and potassium. Depending on
promoted in a greenhouse. However, depending
the source water, these nutrients may already be
on the growing environment, grow lights may be
present. A water chemistry analysis should be
the sole source of light available. In these
Aerated mineralization tank performed to assess nutrient supplementation
conditions light duration and quality are critically
needs. Nutrient deficiencies will be evident by
important.
Mineralization Tank discoloration and malformation in the leaves,

Fish feed has adequate amounts of 10 of the 13 roots, and fruits of the plants produced.
nutrients plants need to thrive under hydroponic Iron is a very commonly deficient nutrient and
growing conditions, yet many of them only should be supplemented at 2-4 mg/L (PPM) every
become available for plant uptake after they are two weeks using a chelated iron formulation
processed by bacteria present in a mature appropriate for the pH of the water. A common
system. The process of bacterial digestion and chelation uses Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
breakdown of feed occurs under aerobic (EDTA), and is available to plants at a pH around
Tomatoes germinating in rockwool cubes (oxygenated) conditions. A mineralization tank is 7.0. For producers seeking organic certification,
highly agitated with aeration, creating an an effective and organic iron source may be
Controlled Environment opportunity for heterotrophic bacteria to difficult to acquire.
The growing environment is critical for plant and consume waste products and liberate bioavailable
fish growth. The ability to regulate temperature, nutrients. Periodically aeration is interrupted and Calcium is abundantly present in abundance in
light intensity, humidity, and to shelter the the solids settle to the bottom. This decanting groundwater drawn from limestone bedrock.
production system from the elements helps process clarifies the water, and the top water However, distilled water such as rainwater will be
Light Emitting Diode (LED) growlights used for
optimize growth rates for crops and fish as well as layer is then added to the hydroponic unit. devoid of calcium. Tomatoes, cole crops (e.g.
growing tomatoes
ensure biosecurity and food safety. A controlled cabbage and others) as well as some other plants

environment may be a warehouse, classroom, have high requirements for calcium. Some
Plants like lettuce prefer a fall/winter/spring
basement, garage, greenhouse, or other structure common supplements include agricultural
photoperiod of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of
that shields the growing system from the external limestone or calcium carbonate (CaCO ), hydrated
dark daily, whereas basil and many fruiting crops 3
environment. Greenhouses are commonly used lime or calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH) ), and calcium
prefer a summer photoperiod of 16 hours of light 2
for year-round crop production because of their chloride (CaCl ). Be aware that ag lime dissolves
and 8 hours of dark. Leafy greens can perform 2
heat retention and the transmission of sunlight slowly, hydrated lime is a strong base that will
well on lower quality light, but fruiting crops
through the structure. Warehouses have become affect pH, and calcium chloride will add chloride
require high quality, full spectrum light to
popular for vertical growing systems because of to the water, which may negatively affect plants.
produce high-yielding crops.

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