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Unit 2.2 System Components

2. Aquaponics
System Components

3. System Components Individual components
Not all components are used in all system designs
Presentation titled System Designs will discuss
Raft
Flood and Drain
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

4. FISH TANKS

5. Fish tanks
Every system requires at least one, large systems have multiple
Size and type of tank is dependent on intended use
Small indoor system for educational use may use a plexi-glass aquarium
Large outdoor commercial system may use large fiberglass or polyethylene tanks
Tanks range from a few hundred to thousands of gallons
Tank should be sturdy, durable and designed to hold the amount of water needed
Must be food-grade plastics or materials
Round tanks provide the best movement of water
Water and fish tend to move in a circular motion – this also forces fish waste to center bottom of tank
Square tanks allow for waste to collect in corners and create anaerobic zones
Tanks with Conical bottom provide natural settling for fish waste

6. Stand pipes and bottom drains
Sets water level
Keeps fish from escaping from fish tanks through the bottom drain
Directs the water with fish waste down the drain
Not all systems use a stand pipe
Bottom Drain
Allows for water to leave the fish tank and move to the other components in the system

7. Stand pipes and bottom drains
Commercial System
Small System

8. AERATION SYSTEM Aeration is the process of adding oxygen to the system
Fish, plants, and beneficial bacteria all need oxygen
Aeration is also critical for biological filtration and off-gassing processes
Air blower or compressor is used to supply air to air diffusers located in the system
Air diffusers break the stream of air into micro bubbles
Bubble size and depth at introduction directly affect the amount of aeration
An air bubble rising from 5 feet provides more air than identically sized bubble rising from 3 feet

9. AIR BLOWER and DIFFUSERS
Air Diffuser

10. Air Diffuser
In the raft system there are air diffusers in the fish tank(s), the degassing tank and the raft tank(s)
Placement should allow for easy removal
Diffusers should be cleaned periodically
Number of diffusers and oxygen flow rate is dependent on the size and design on the system

11. Solids Removal Device (Clarifiers)
Required for raft and NFT
Media-filled bed systems use the media as a solids removal device
Removal of solid waste allows for
Higher stocking density of fish
More plant production
Utilization of waste to fertilize soil in traditional farming
There are several styles of clarifiers used in aquaponics - two of which are common
Conical clarifier
Settling basin

12. Conical Clarifier A : Water enters the clarifiers from the fish tank
Water is slowed as it hits the baffle and flows downward under the baffle
B : Solids drop to the bottom of the cone
C : Clean water rises
D : Clean water exits to move to other system components
E : Solids are removed by opening of the valve

13. Settling Basin
Flat tray that is only a few inches deep and a couple of feet long
Dependent on size of the system
Water enters one end and exits the other
As the water enters the tray large solids settle to a deeper basin
Bottom of basin has drain valve that is opened periodically to flush solids out
As water moves finer solids settle
Just before the exit end there is a weir (dam) that the water must flow over
Most remaining solids drop behind the weir

14. Solids Removal
One of the most important processes in recirculating raft and NFT
Waste build-up:
Leads to toxicities
Clogs plumbing
Coats plant roots
Unable to uptake nutrients
Design is dependent on the size and required rate of water flow of the system
Flow rate must be quick enough to meet exchange requirements yet slow enough to allow solids to settle
Turbulence in clarifier is unwanted as it will break down large solids into suspended solids that remain in the water

15. Biofiltration Tank
Biofilter is a place for beneficial bacteria to colonize
Large surface area
Proper temperature
Proper pH
Proper dissolved oxygen
Required in NFT because the channels do not provide enough surface area
Not usually used in raft and flood and drain because rafts, media, tank walls, and all other surfaces generally provide enough area for bacteria to colonize

16. Biofiltration Tank
Usually a canister, tank, or barrel that holds a porous media and is heavily aerated
Water from fish tank runs through the biofilter where ammonia will be converted to nitrite then nitrate
Essentially the whole aquaponics system is a biofilter

17. Mineralization tank
Process by which heterotrophic bacteria convert solid waste into ammonia and other elements for the plants
Used in raft and NFT designs
Contains loose media that suspended solids collect on
UVI mineralization tanks uses orchard netting
Suspended solids collect on netting and the netting is then washed periodically
As solids collect on netting anaerobic conditions occur and gasses are formed
Hydrogen sulfide, methane, and nitrogen

18. Mineralization tank

19. Degassing tank
Aerated tank that encourages the expulsion of gasses into the air
Used in raft and NFT designs
Tank that comes after the mineralization tank

20. Grow Bed Where plants are grown Hydroponic component Raft Media-filled
NFT

21. Sump Tank and Water Pumps
Sump tank is lowest point in system
Water pump moves water from sump tank back to fish tanks
Installation of two water pumps with a cross over valve is needed in the event the pump fails
Size of pump is related to size of system
Water is regulated by a float valve in the sump tank

22. Plumbing PVC connects the components of the aquaponics system
Diameter of pipe is critical to flow rates
Volume and velocity affect flow rate in pipes
Too large of a diameter causes slow flow and solids begin to settle in pipes and create water quality issues
Too small of a diameter may cause pipe to clog
Installation of clean out plugs allow operator to clean the inside walls of pipes if they become clogged

23. Water Heater/Chiller Used to maintain proper water temperature
Depends on species of fish and plants
Consistent water temperature produces higher quality of crops
In a greenhouse winter air temperature can remain cooler and summer air temperature can remain warmer as long as the root temperature is maintained
Saves energy in the long run

24. Back Up Power Equipment
Preparation for power outage or equipment failure
Small system
Battery back up
Home food or commercial production
Generator
Have more than one water pump and air blower in case of mechanical failure
Automated monitoring system
System sends notification to operator via phone if greenhouse and environmental conditions are outside of set parameters and sends notification of power failure

25. Plant Lighting
Increase lettuce and herb production in greenhouse setting by up to 40%
Metal halide lights for lettuce and herbs
Lights provide BTUs of heat which is beneficial in cold climates
Saves energy
More on lighting will be discussed later in the course

26. Greenhouse and Environmental Control
Growing indoors when natural environment is not compatible with crops needs
Additional equipment needed
Air heaters
Ventilation
Cooling
Humidification
More about greenhouse and controlled environment will be discussed later in the course

27. REFERENCE
Nelson, R. L. Aquaponic Food Production Raising Fish and Plants for Food and Profit Nelson and Pade, Inc. Montello, WI. Pgs
With contributions from John S. Pade