Craig Leppan: co-founder and director

Our aim Promote aquaponic awareness, pool and centralize resources, co-operate and consult for and with market players and share experience and knowledge with the public about aquaponics. Forum Blog Courses and workshops

What is aquaponics Aquaponics is the sustainable cultivation of plants, fish and bacteria in a constructed recirculating ecosystem. It is a combination of Aquaculture (fish cultivation) & Hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation).

The bad news globally Fossil fuel depletion is a problem: petroleum is used in agriculture Water: 70% of earths area is sea water, 2,5% of this is fresh water, of that 70% is frozen and the balance is what we can use, we dont use it effectively World population: 7 billion by billion: protein crunch is coming Oceans are a trap for heavy metals and that causes problem with contamination of the fish and hence humans. The oceans are being over fished and we have lost 2048 species of fish already One American consumes the same as 32 Kenyans, leveling this is in itself another problem If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change Thomas Friedman: 2008

Advantages Sustainable: logically and environmentally Natural process: less human intervention than hydroponics Continuous production anywhere (urban or rural) Uses 10% of water compared to ground growing Great market value: vegetables (vegetables cannot be labeled organic but better than organic). Fish a very good protein and oil source No waste: all is used

Food conversion ratios Fish 1,5 : 1 Poultry 2 : 1 Pigs 4 : 1 Cattle 7 : 1 Sheep 8 : 1

Theory A natural cycle

The Nitrogen cycle De-nitrification=alkalineNitrification=acidifying

Graph of a system starting (acclimation/cycling) Six to eight weeks but can be accelerated by seeding bacteria

Commercial system pioneers Virgin Islands Australia Canada USA Floating raft or deep water culture

Nutrient film technique

The future Grown at point of sale

Considerations Legislation Nutrient requirements Environmental conditions

Considerations Water source Municipal Borehole Storage

Considerations Market value Turnaround time Local requirements Availability of seeds/seedlings

How much can I farm? 3 to 5,8 meters squared growing area to 1 cubic meter of fish tank water (DIY vs. commercial) fish per cubic meter of water depending on nutrient requirements

Measureables PH: 7 Dissolved oxygen: > 5mg/l (drops with increase in temperature) Ammonia: NH3- constant flux: danger at high temps and high PH) Nitrite: < 0,5 ppm Nitrate: < 150 ppm EC: 250 – 450 (hydroponic systems go as high as 2100 ppm)

Cradle Aquaponics

Site leveling and preparation

The site pegging

Tunnel construction

Planter bases

Flood and drain planter walls

Deep water culture planters

Insulation

Positioning of tanks and filters

Completion Electrical Piping and pumps Air reticulation Cover tunnels Commissioning Operational management

Closing MyAquaponics wishes you the best in your journey of discovery: aquaponics is certainly not a new idea and has been around a long time however new ideas and new approaches are going to change the industry and further benefit the production of protein and vegetables in an even more sustainable manner. Sharing is caring.