Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

Hydroponics

2017-02-27T21:40:27Z

Andy: added the 6 hydroponics systems

{{Category=Controlled-environment growing}}
[[Image:Hydroponics.jpg|right|450px|thumb|An example of vertically stacked hydroponic installation. A system like this would allow a person to be self-sustaining for vegetables in just a few square meters. This makes it particularly useful for urban settings.]]

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants in nutrient-enriched water rather than soil.

Hydroponics is incredibly productive and requires little space. For example, [[Factor e Farm]]'s experiments found that they could grow $1 of lettuce per square foot per week. And the [http://carbon.org/ Institute of Simplified Hydroponics] has found that they can grow 2kg of vegetables a day on 20m2 of space [http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ezRcpPE6EGwJ:www.carbon.org/senegal/india1.doc&cd=4&hl=en]. Indoor growing in a greenhouse greatly reduces losses to pests.

There are 6 main techniques used in hydroponics. The Drip [http://uponics.com/hydroponics-system/ hydroponics system] continuously drips nutrient solution onto the plants roots. The Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain) system floods the grow bed and [http://uponics.com/hydroponics-system/ hydroponics growing medium] with a nutrient solution, then this solution slow drains back to the reservoir. Roots benefit from these periods of wetness and dryness. Deep Water Culture simply submerges roots in a nutrient solution. Less common hydroponics systems include the Wick System (where a fabric material wicks nutrient solution from the reservoir up to the roots), Nutrient Film Technique (where nutrient solution runs down long channels or tubes and passes over bare roots), and Aeroponics (where nutrients are administered via misting suspended and bare-rooted plants).

See [http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/blog/easy-to-build-hydroponic-system here] for free instructions on building several different hydroponic systems. N55 have a design for a vertical hydroponic system [http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/HOME_HYDRO/HOME_HYDRO.html here]. See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics Wikipedia on hydroponics] for more information.

[http://hmeter.sourceforge.net/ Open source software for automating hydroponic systems].

[[Aquaponics]] is a kind of hydroponics that uses the water from fish tanks. This eliminates the need for an input of nutrients.

==Open-source hydroponic nutrient==
You can mix hydroponic nutrient cheaply using mineral salts that most chemical suppliers have. The necessary ingredients are:
*Monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4)
*Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
*Calcium nitrate (CaNO3)
*Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4)
*Boric Acid (H3BO3)
*Manganese chloride (MnCl2)
*Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4)
*Copper sulfate (CuSO4)
*Iron sulfate (FeSO4)
*Ammonium molybdate

==Related OSE Wiki Pages==
* [[Hydroponics Apparatus]]
* [[Aquaponics]]
* [[Wood Ash]]

==Links==
*[http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4874992/Getting_Started_Everything_You_Need_to_Know_-_Hydroponics ''Hydroponics - Everything You Need To Know To Get Started''], big messy 463-page book, covering everything: lighting, nutrients, suppliers, different plants and their requirements,
*[http://www.amazon.com/How-Hydroponics-Fourth-Keith-Roberto/dp/0967202612/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307558672&sr=8-1''How-To Hydroponics, 4th edition''], a compact, practical book including plans for several systems
*http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/ An informative site. Also has forums.
*[http://captainhydroponics.com/ Captain Hydroponics] Urban hydroponic designs and tips.

===Open-source systems===
*[http://hapihq.com/ HAPI - An Open Source Project focused on building an automation platform, grow unit designs and educational materials]
*[http://inventgeek.com/2011-Projects/General-Hydroponics-Drip-System/Overview.aspx general-purpose single-plant bucket drip system], [http://inventgeek.com/2011-Projects/DIY-CFL-Grow-Light/Overview.aspx CFL grow light cluster], [http://inventgeek.com/2011-Projects/Deep-Water-Culture-System/OverView.aspx simple deep-water culture system]from Jared Bouck's Inventgeek
*[http://www.howtohydroponics.com/ How-To Hydroponics kit plans]
*[http://members.mailaka.net/norm34/ Hydroponics free DIY plans]
*[http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/HOME_HYDRO/HOME_HYDRO.html Home hydroponic system], open-source plans for a vertically-stacked hydroponic system designed by n55

Aquaponics/Research

2017-02-27T21:21:19Z

Andy: added info about aquaponics for beginners

[[Aquaponics]]

=Urban Farming Guys=

Aquaponics overview: It seems like no one has really published a fully documented open source design for a full closed loop aquaponics system, is that the case? If so it's going to take a bit of research and prototyping to produce the first finished design. It looks like with http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/aquaponics-how-to
aquaponics principles video and designs http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/wiki/knowledgebase-2/aquaculture-aquaponics/aquaponics-system-plans/40-gallon-tote-basement-system plus the OSE aquaponics page we have enough information to start with.

However, one of the difficulties with the UFGuys is that their system breaks the rule of "2x as much growing media as fish space" so in the 40-gal-tote system, there should be three totes, 2 for veggies and 1 for fish.

=Measurements=

For optimal production you need tools to measure the system to make sure its running correctly. There's a basic list of things to measure here for hydroponics: http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/HOME_HYDRO/HOME_HYDRO.html Light, pH, Conductivity, Nutrients, Temperature, Water quality. What tools are used to measure those? Where are good places to get those tools?

=Aquaponics for Beginners=

Before diving head-first into aquaponics and using large barrels or stock tanks, it is best to experiment with a smaller [http://uponics.com/aquaponics-plans/ aquaponics plans]. Goldfish and koi are both readily available at pets stores and make easy-to-care for aquaponics fish for beginners. While fish like trout and tilapia are great for large aquaponics systems, water temperatures and water quality must be closely monitored and adhered to. Starting with [http://uponics.com/aquaponics-kit/ aquaponics kits] may be the best route to take as an introduction into the aquaponics hobby. These are small, easy to operate table-top systems. Once you master the operations of a small system, then you may be ready to step up to a larger one. Edible fish have a better chance of survival when raised in a 100+ barrel or stock tank, so size matters in this case. Be sure you have all the equipment necessary to keep your fish alive and your plants well-feed (with plenty of supplemental [http://uponics.com/best-led-grow-lights/ LED grow lights]). Monitor the water quality often, and do not let water temperatures fluctuation outside of recommended ranges. Be patient, as most aquaponics fish take up to a 9-12 months to become plate size.

[[Category: Controlled-environment growing]]

Aquaponics

2017-02-13T20:04:51Z

Andy: /* 2014 and Earlier */ deleted unnecessary "http://:"

[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Working_Team#Team Aquaponics Greenhouse 2015 Video]

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/presentation/d/1BFIuy4YyY05yFWfn-a7ursn1er2GWzvbHIB2goPpClo/edit?pli=1#slide=id.p Aquaponics Greenhouse Working Group 2015]

[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Working_Team#Collaborator_Survey NOW Sign up for Aquaponics Greenhouse Working Team 2015]

{{Category=Controlled-environment growing}}
Aquaponics is the combination of [[aquaculture]] (fish farming) and [[hydroponics]] (growing plants using water rather than soil). It is an incredibly productive means of growing food, allowing a person to sustain themselves on less than 100m2. Some people with large systems growing 5000 plants a week have reported that, once their system is set up, they earn €1000 a week spending 2 hours a day at work. Aquaponics is ecologically sound and sustainable. Scalable designs for systems are available online.

See also:

* [[Aquaponics/Research]]
* [[Aquaponics/Suggested Fish]]

==How aquaponics works==
[[File:Aquaponics.gif|center|850px]]
Edible fish are grown in a tank. Their poop enriches the water with nutrients. This enriched water is pumped into gravel beds with edible plants rooted in them. As the water flows through the gravel beds, the plants' roots and the bacteria that grow on the gravel take nutrients from the water. This both nourishes the plants and cleans the water. The water, now clean, flows back into the fish tank.

The system provides fish, vegetables and herbs for people. Some systems have grown fruit trees aquaponically, but this is still experimental.

==Feeding the fish==
*'''Commercially available fish food''' is the most common way of feeding the fish in aquaponics. The disadvantage is that your system then requires constant input of resources.
*'''Algae''' will grow endemically in nearly any body of still water. Fish will eat these, but in practice it is not possible to grow enough algae to sustain an aquaponic system. You can increase the fraction of the fish's requirements met by algae by providing a surface underwater for the algae to grow on. (Remember when you had a goldfish as a kid, and the little castle in his tank got covered with green stuff?) Use something with high surface area.
*'''[[Duckweed]]''', an extremely fast-growing high-protein pond weed, can be grown on the surface of the tank. There are species of duckweed adapted to nearly all climates.
*'''Insects'''. Herbs that attract insects can be grown in rafts on the surface of the fishtank. Mulberry and tea trees are used in aquaculture to attract insects as fish food.
*'''[[Worms]]''' from a compost heap can be fed to the fish. The worms can be fed with grass cuttings, food waste and other organic waste. Some of the compost from the wormery can be added to the water input to the gravel beds; this diversifies the nutrients the plants receive. Aquaponics combined with vermiculture is nearly a closed-loop system. Organic waste is converted into worms, worms into fish, fish into vegetables. The fish and the vegetables are converted into human life!
*'''[[Black Soldier Fly]] larvae'''. An integrated Black Soldier Fly and aquaponics system can turn 12kg of food waste into 1kg of delicious fish, plus the vegetables in the grow-beds.

Duckweed grows very fast and Black Soldier Fly larvae convert very efficiently. A system with a small duckweed tank, a wormery and a Black Soldier Fly bioconversion unit should have no problem getting by without buying fish food. This cuts operating costs to near zero. The more varied the fish's diet, the better they are likely to taste.

==System design==
A rule of thumb is that the volume of the gravel beds should be twice that of the fish tank. Gravel beds would typically be about 30cm deep.

Fish can normally be stocked at 2-3kg of fish per cubic meter of water.

The species of fish used depends on the climate.

==Water quality==
===Temperature===
The required temperature depends on the species of fish you want to grow. If you choose fish that are adapted to your local climate, you will save money on heating costs. Digital methods to measure temperatre, pH, dissolved oxygen, and possibly other parameters should be investigated as a way to gather information for system optimization, indications of system problems, and eventually labor savings.

===pH===
pH needs to be tested every week or more. A pH of around 6.2-6.4 is best, though this varies somewhat depending on the species of fish.

If pH gets too low, it could be a sign that parts of the gravel bed have developed anaerobic bacteria, which produce acids. If this happens, remove any plants with very large root systems, as these create pockets where air cannot get to.

If the pH is too high, it is generally a sign that the plant biofilters are not keeping up with the fish's production of ammonia. Plant more plants.

===Oxygenation===
Aquaponic systems require an air pump underwater. Having the flow from the gravel beds falling from a height and splashing into the fish tank will help oxygenate it too.

It is very important to keep the aerator pump running at all times. If the oxygen supply to the fish is cut off for just 45 minutes, you will have dead fish. For this reason, it is wise to have a backup air pump that will kick in if your pump fails. There can never be too much oxygen in the water; excess oxygen will bubble to the surface and escape.

===Nutrients===
A lot of aquaponic systems require calcium, potassium and iron to be added about every two weeks. If you have a wormery and add a little of the worm-compost to the water flowing into the gravel beds, this should provide these missing nutrients.

==Open-source systems==
* [http://farmfountain.com/howto/index.html Farm Fountain], an open-source, indoor, vertical aquaponic system.
* [http://www.fastonline.org/ Barrelponics] - Aquaponics in a barrel. Barrelponics definitely meets the [[OSE Specifications]]; it is a scalable, environmentally-friendly, open-source local food system.
* [http://blog.automicrofarm.com/ AutoMicroFarm] An open source barrelponics system under development.
* [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/ The Urban Farming Guys] in Kansas City are developing a low-cost Aquaponics system. The [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/aquaponics-how-to instructional video] outlines the principles of aquaponics. [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/wiki/knowledgebase-2/aquaculture-aquaponics/aquaponics-system-plans/40-gallon-tote-basement-system Design for a small aquaponic system].
* [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Category:Holistic_Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Toolkit Category: Holistic Aquaponics Greenhouse Toolkit] A toolkit of commonly used system theory-based controlled environment modular technologies based on ubiquitous construction materials and open source design priniciples is being developed.

==Work to be done==
Aquaponics is still in its infancy and is developing every year. More research needs to be done into polycultured systems that can grow more than one type of fish. (Different fish require different water temperatures and pH, so some species are incompatible. However, tilapia and prawns - which are both delicious - have been farmed together in fish farms [http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tilapia/prawns.php].) Another avenue of research would be to use lights or herbs to attract insects to the tank where the fish can eat them; another step towards making a more diverse, more closed-loop system.

===Concept for compost-heated, compost-powered aquaponic system===
Say you want to set up an aquaponics system. You decide to grow tilapia, because they have many advantages for aquaponics. But tilapia like a water temperature of 28-30°C (82-86°F) and you live in a climate where it gets cold in winter. Using good [[Greenhouses|greenhouse design]], you are able to stabilize the temperature year-round, but there's no way you'll get it up to 28-30° without a heat source. This will require an input of power, in addition to the power needed for the pump.

There could be a way to kill two birds with one stone: build a [[thermophilic compost]] heap against one side of the fish tank. The heat from the compost will warm the water up. Care must be taken to keep the temperature of the greenhouse stable, as the pile can get up to 50°C (122°F). Secondly, for the pump you keep a [[Stirling Engine with Hydraulic Transmission|stirling engine]] at the compost heap. This is driven by the heat of the composting and is hydraulically connected to the water pump. Just an idea...

=Resources=

==2015==
*FAO Aquaponics design manual - [http://www.fao.org/3/contents/1dea3c92-1faa-47bb-a374-0cf4d9874544/i4021e00.htm] - notice Myanmar system described in section 9.4.1; information is available from author
*Open Source Aquaponics Lab, Paulo Marini - this gets OSE's #1 vote - [https://www.facebook.com/aquaponicslab FB], [https://aquaponicslab.org/ site]

==2014 and Earlier==
* [http://www.fastonline.org/?page_id=32 Aquaponics info at F.A.S.T.]
* [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com Backyard Aquaponics] - Includes a thriving [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/ forum]
* [http://www.growingpower.org/ Growing Power] - a non-profit dedicated to educating people about growing food
* [http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/ Friendly Aquaponics] - contains plans for systems
* [http://www.aquaponicsjournal.com/articles.php Aquaponics Journal articles]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics#Further_reading Wikipedia aquaponics article] - Further Reading section
* [https://www.aquaponics.com/aquaponics/aquaponicsoverview.php ''Aquaponics Information'' at aquaponics.com]
* [[appropedia:Aquaponics|Aquaponics on Appropedia]]
* [http://uponics.com/aquaponics-fish/ Aquaponics Fish] Site outlining different fish for aquaponics, plus other aquaponics resources
* [http://www.windward.org/ Windward] - a self-sufficient community that uses aquaponics. They have an informative website.
* [http://socalfishfarm.com/fish/ SoCal Fish Farm] - a commercial aquaponics operation. Their website has good information on tilapia, shrimp, aquaponics and [[Greenhouses|solar greenhouses]]
* [http://passionforproduce.net/ Passion For Produce] - backyard aquaponics garden in Sarasota, FL
* [http://www.aquaponics-shop.com Aquaponics Shop] - Australia dedicated aquaponics shop with commercial assistance and research
* [http://aquaponics-plans.allecofriendly.info Aquaponics Plans] - An enthusiast's blog about her personal experience with aquaponics and aquaponics plans.
* [http://aquaponicsideasonline.com Aquaponics System] - An aquaponics enthusiast's website providing ideas and advice for setting aquaponics gardens.
* [http://helpwithaquaponics.com Help With Aquaponics] - Site dedicated to helping people design, build and operate aquaponics systems.

Aquaponics

2017-02-13T20:03:19Z

Andy: /* 2014 and Earlier */ deleted an unnecessary "]"

[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Working_Team#Team Aquaponics Greenhouse 2015 Video]

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/presentation/d/1BFIuy4YyY05yFWfn-a7ursn1er2GWzvbHIB2goPpClo/edit?pli=1#slide=id.p Aquaponics Greenhouse Working Group 2015]

[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Working_Team#Collaborator_Survey NOW Sign up for Aquaponics Greenhouse Working Team 2015]

{{Category=Controlled-environment growing}}
Aquaponics is the combination of [[aquaculture]] (fish farming) and [[hydroponics]] (growing plants using water rather than soil). It is an incredibly productive means of growing food, allowing a person to sustain themselves on less than 100m2. Some people with large systems growing 5000 plants a week have reported that, once their system is set up, they earn €1000 a week spending 2 hours a day at work. Aquaponics is ecologically sound and sustainable. Scalable designs for systems are available online.

See also:

* [[Aquaponics/Research]]
* [[Aquaponics/Suggested Fish]]

==How aquaponics works==
[[File:Aquaponics.gif|center|850px]]
Edible fish are grown in a tank. Their poop enriches the water with nutrients. This enriched water is pumped into gravel beds with edible plants rooted in them. As the water flows through the gravel beds, the plants' roots and the bacteria that grow on the gravel take nutrients from the water. This both nourishes the plants and cleans the water. The water, now clean, flows back into the fish tank.

The system provides fish, vegetables and herbs for people. Some systems have grown fruit trees aquaponically, but this is still experimental.

==Feeding the fish==
*'''Commercially available fish food''' is the most common way of feeding the fish in aquaponics. The disadvantage is that your system then requires constant input of resources.
*'''Algae''' will grow endemically in nearly any body of still water. Fish will eat these, but in practice it is not possible to grow enough algae to sustain an aquaponic system. You can increase the fraction of the fish's requirements met by algae by providing a surface underwater for the algae to grow on. (Remember when you had a goldfish as a kid, and the little castle in his tank got covered with green stuff?) Use something with high surface area.
*'''[[Duckweed]]''', an extremely fast-growing high-protein pond weed, can be grown on the surface of the tank. There are species of duckweed adapted to nearly all climates.
*'''Insects'''. Herbs that attract insects can be grown in rafts on the surface of the fishtank. Mulberry and tea trees are used in aquaculture to attract insects as fish food.
*'''[[Worms]]''' from a compost heap can be fed to the fish. The worms can be fed with grass cuttings, food waste and other organic waste. Some of the compost from the wormery can be added to the water input to the gravel beds; this diversifies the nutrients the plants receive. Aquaponics combined with vermiculture is nearly a closed-loop system. Organic waste is converted into worms, worms into fish, fish into vegetables. The fish and the vegetables are converted into human life!
*'''[[Black Soldier Fly]] larvae'''. An integrated Black Soldier Fly and aquaponics system can turn 12kg of food waste into 1kg of delicious fish, plus the vegetables in the grow-beds.

Duckweed grows very fast and Black Soldier Fly larvae convert very efficiently. A system with a small duckweed tank, a wormery and a Black Soldier Fly bioconversion unit should have no problem getting by without buying fish food. This cuts operating costs to near zero. The more varied the fish's diet, the better they are likely to taste.

==System design==
A rule of thumb is that the volume of the gravel beds should be twice that of the fish tank. Gravel beds would typically be about 30cm deep.

Fish can normally be stocked at 2-3kg of fish per cubic meter of water.

The species of fish used depends on the climate.

==Water quality==
===Temperature===
The required temperature depends on the species of fish you want to grow. If you choose fish that are adapted to your local climate, you will save money on heating costs. Digital methods to measure temperatre, pH, dissolved oxygen, and possibly other parameters should be investigated as a way to gather information for system optimization, indications of system problems, and eventually labor savings.

===pH===
pH needs to be tested every week or more. A pH of around 6.2-6.4 is best, though this varies somewhat depending on the species of fish.

If pH gets too low, it could be a sign that parts of the gravel bed have developed anaerobic bacteria, which produce acids. If this happens, remove any plants with very large root systems, as these create pockets where air cannot get to.

If the pH is too high, it is generally a sign that the plant biofilters are not keeping up with the fish's production of ammonia. Plant more plants.

===Oxygenation===
Aquaponic systems require an air pump underwater. Having the flow from the gravel beds falling from a height and splashing into the fish tank will help oxygenate it too.

It is very important to keep the aerator pump running at all times. If the oxygen supply to the fish is cut off for just 45 minutes, you will have dead fish. For this reason, it is wise to have a backup air pump that will kick in if your pump fails. There can never be too much oxygen in the water; excess oxygen will bubble to the surface and escape.

===Nutrients===
A lot of aquaponic systems require calcium, potassium and iron to be added about every two weeks. If you have a wormery and add a little of the worm-compost to the water flowing into the gravel beds, this should provide these missing nutrients.

==Open-source systems==
* [http://farmfountain.com/howto/index.html Farm Fountain], an open-source, indoor, vertical aquaponic system.
* [http://www.fastonline.org/ Barrelponics] - Aquaponics in a barrel. Barrelponics definitely meets the [[OSE Specifications]]; it is a scalable, environmentally-friendly, open-source local food system.
* [http://blog.automicrofarm.com/ AutoMicroFarm] An open source barrelponics system under development.
* [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/ The Urban Farming Guys] in Kansas City are developing a low-cost Aquaponics system. The [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/aquaponics-how-to instructional video] outlines the principles of aquaponics. [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/wiki/knowledgebase-2/aquaculture-aquaponics/aquaponics-system-plans/40-gallon-tote-basement-system Design for a small aquaponic system].
* [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Category:Holistic_Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Toolkit Category: Holistic Aquaponics Greenhouse Toolkit] A toolkit of commonly used system theory-based controlled environment modular technologies based on ubiquitous construction materials and open source design priniciples is being developed.

==Work to be done==
Aquaponics is still in its infancy and is developing every year. More research needs to be done into polycultured systems that can grow more than one type of fish. (Different fish require different water temperatures and pH, so some species are incompatible. However, tilapia and prawns - which are both delicious - have been farmed together in fish farms [http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tilapia/prawns.php].) Another avenue of research would be to use lights or herbs to attract insects to the tank where the fish can eat them; another step towards making a more diverse, more closed-loop system.

===Concept for compost-heated, compost-powered aquaponic system===
Say you want to set up an aquaponics system. You decide to grow tilapia, because they have many advantages for aquaponics. But tilapia like a water temperature of 28-30°C (82-86°F) and you live in a climate where it gets cold in winter. Using good [[Greenhouses|greenhouse design]], you are able to stabilize the temperature year-round, but there's no way you'll get it up to 28-30° without a heat source. This will require an input of power, in addition to the power needed for the pump.

There could be a way to kill two birds with one stone: build a [[thermophilic compost]] heap against one side of the fish tank. The heat from the compost will warm the water up. Care must be taken to keep the temperature of the greenhouse stable, as the pile can get up to 50°C (122°F). Secondly, for the pump you keep a [[Stirling Engine with Hydraulic Transmission|stirling engine]] at the compost heap. This is driven by the heat of the composting and is hydraulically connected to the water pump. Just an idea...

=Resources=

==2015==
*FAO Aquaponics design manual - [http://www.fao.org/3/contents/1dea3c92-1faa-47bb-a374-0cf4d9874544/i4021e00.htm] - notice Myanmar system described in section 9.4.1; information is available from author
*Open Source Aquaponics Lab, Paulo Marini - this gets OSE's #1 vote - [https://www.facebook.com/aquaponicslab FB], [https://aquaponicslab.org/ site]

==2014 and Earlier==
* [http://www.fastonline.org/?page_id=32 Aquaponics info at F.A.S.T.]
* [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com Backyard Aquaponics] - Includes a thriving [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/ forum]
* [http://www.growingpower.org/ Growing Power] - a non-profit dedicated to educating people about growing food
* [http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/ Friendly Aquaponics] - contains plans for systems
* [http://www.aquaponicsjournal.com/articles.php Aquaponics Journal articles]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics#Further_reading Wikipedia aquaponics article] - Further Reading section
* [https://www.aquaponics.com/aquaponics/aquaponicsoverview.php ''Aquaponics Information'' at aquaponics.com]
* [[appropedia:Aquaponics|Aquaponics on Appropedia]]
* [http://http://uponics.com/aquaponics-fish/ Aquaponics Fish] Site outlining different fish for aquaponics, plus other aquaponics resources
* [http://www.windward.org/ Windward] - a self-sufficient community that uses aquaponics. They have an informative website.
* [http://socalfishfarm.com/fish/ SoCal Fish Farm] - a commercial aquaponics operation. Their website has good information on tilapia, shrimp, aquaponics and [[Greenhouses|solar greenhouses]]
* [http://passionforproduce.net/ Passion For Produce] - backyard aquaponics garden in Sarasota, FL
* [http://www.aquaponics-shop.com Aquaponics Shop] - Australia dedicated aquaponics shop with commercial assistance and research
* [http://aquaponics-plans.allecofriendly.info Aquaponics Plans] - An enthusiast's blog about her personal experience with aquaponics and aquaponics plans.
* [http://aquaponicsideasonline.com Aquaponics System] - An aquaponics enthusiast's website providing ideas and advice for setting aquaponics gardens.
* [http://helpwithaquaponics.com Help With Aquaponics] - Site dedicated to helping people design, build and operate aquaponics systems.

Aquaponics

2017-02-13T20:02:20Z

Andy: /* 2014 and Earlier */ added site for aquaponics fish information

[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Working_Team#Team Aquaponics Greenhouse 2015 Video]

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/presentation/d/1BFIuy4YyY05yFWfn-a7ursn1er2GWzvbHIB2goPpClo/edit?pli=1#slide=id.p Aquaponics Greenhouse Working Group 2015]

[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Working_Team#Collaborator_Survey NOW Sign up for Aquaponics Greenhouse Working Team 2015]

{{Category=Controlled-environment growing}}
Aquaponics is the combination of [[aquaculture]] (fish farming) and [[hydroponics]] (growing plants using water rather than soil). It is an incredibly productive means of growing food, allowing a person to sustain themselves on less than 100m2. Some people with large systems growing 5000 plants a week have reported that, once their system is set up, they earn €1000 a week spending 2 hours a day at work. Aquaponics is ecologically sound and sustainable. Scalable designs for systems are available online.

See also:

* [[Aquaponics/Research]]
* [[Aquaponics/Suggested Fish]]

==How aquaponics works==
[[File:Aquaponics.gif|center|850px]]
Edible fish are grown in a tank. Their poop enriches the water with nutrients. This enriched water is pumped into gravel beds with edible plants rooted in them. As the water flows through the gravel beds, the plants' roots and the bacteria that grow on the gravel take nutrients from the water. This both nourishes the plants and cleans the water. The water, now clean, flows back into the fish tank.

The system provides fish, vegetables and herbs for people. Some systems have grown fruit trees aquaponically, but this is still experimental.

==Feeding the fish==
*'''Commercially available fish food''' is the most common way of feeding the fish in aquaponics. The disadvantage is that your system then requires constant input of resources.
*'''Algae''' will grow endemically in nearly any body of still water. Fish will eat these, but in practice it is not possible to grow enough algae to sustain an aquaponic system. You can increase the fraction of the fish's requirements met by algae by providing a surface underwater for the algae to grow on. (Remember when you had a goldfish as a kid, and the little castle in his tank got covered with green stuff?) Use something with high surface area.
*'''[[Duckweed]]''', an extremely fast-growing high-protein pond weed, can be grown on the surface of the tank. There are species of duckweed adapted to nearly all climates.
*'''Insects'''. Herbs that attract insects can be grown in rafts on the surface of the fishtank. Mulberry and tea trees are used in aquaculture to attract insects as fish food.
*'''[[Worms]]''' from a compost heap can be fed to the fish. The worms can be fed with grass cuttings, food waste and other organic waste. Some of the compost from the wormery can be added to the water input to the gravel beds; this diversifies the nutrients the plants receive. Aquaponics combined with vermiculture is nearly a closed-loop system. Organic waste is converted into worms, worms into fish, fish into vegetables. The fish and the vegetables are converted into human life!
*'''[[Black Soldier Fly]] larvae'''. An integrated Black Soldier Fly and aquaponics system can turn 12kg of food waste into 1kg of delicious fish, plus the vegetables in the grow-beds.

Duckweed grows very fast and Black Soldier Fly larvae convert very efficiently. A system with a small duckweed tank, a wormery and a Black Soldier Fly bioconversion unit should have no problem getting by without buying fish food. This cuts operating costs to near zero. The more varied the fish's diet, the better they are likely to taste.

==System design==
A rule of thumb is that the volume of the gravel beds should be twice that of the fish tank. Gravel beds would typically be about 30cm deep.

Fish can normally be stocked at 2-3kg of fish per cubic meter of water.

The species of fish used depends on the climate.

==Water quality==
===Temperature===
The required temperature depends on the species of fish you want to grow. If you choose fish that are adapted to your local climate, you will save money on heating costs. Digital methods to measure temperatre, pH, dissolved oxygen, and possibly other parameters should be investigated as a way to gather information for system optimization, indications of system problems, and eventually labor savings.

===pH===
pH needs to be tested every week or more. A pH of around 6.2-6.4 is best, though this varies somewhat depending on the species of fish.

If pH gets too low, it could be a sign that parts of the gravel bed have developed anaerobic bacteria, which produce acids. If this happens, remove any plants with very large root systems, as these create pockets where air cannot get to.

If the pH is too high, it is generally a sign that the plant biofilters are not keeping up with the fish's production of ammonia. Plant more plants.

===Oxygenation===
Aquaponic systems require an air pump underwater. Having the flow from the gravel beds falling from a height and splashing into the fish tank will help oxygenate it too.

It is very important to keep the aerator pump running at all times. If the oxygen supply to the fish is cut off for just 45 minutes, you will have dead fish. For this reason, it is wise to have a backup air pump that will kick in if your pump fails. There can never be too much oxygen in the water; excess oxygen will bubble to the surface and escape.

===Nutrients===
A lot of aquaponic systems require calcium, potassium and iron to be added about every two weeks. If you have a wormery and add a little of the worm-compost to the water flowing into the gravel beds, this should provide these missing nutrients.

==Open-source systems==
* [http://farmfountain.com/howto/index.html Farm Fountain], an open-source, indoor, vertical aquaponic system.
* [http://www.fastonline.org/ Barrelponics] - Aquaponics in a barrel. Barrelponics definitely meets the [[OSE Specifications]]; it is a scalable, environmentally-friendly, open-source local food system.
* [http://blog.automicrofarm.com/ AutoMicroFarm] An open source barrelponics system under development.
* [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/ The Urban Farming Guys] in Kansas City are developing a low-cost Aquaponics system. The [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/aquaponics-how-to instructional video] outlines the principles of aquaponics. [http://theurbanfarmingguys.com/wiki/knowledgebase-2/aquaculture-aquaponics/aquaponics-system-plans/40-gallon-tote-basement-system Design for a small aquaponic system].
* [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Category:Holistic_Aquaponics_Greenhouse_Toolkit Category: Holistic Aquaponics Greenhouse Toolkit] A toolkit of commonly used system theory-based controlled environment modular technologies based on ubiquitous construction materials and open source design priniciples is being developed.

==Work to be done==
Aquaponics is still in its infancy and is developing every year. More research needs to be done into polycultured systems that can grow more than one type of fish. (Different fish require different water temperatures and pH, so some species are incompatible. However, tilapia and prawns - which are both delicious - have been farmed together in fish farms [http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tilapia/prawns.php].) Another avenue of research would be to use lights or herbs to attract insects to the tank where the fish can eat them; another step towards making a more diverse, more closed-loop system.

===Concept for compost-heated, compost-powered aquaponic system===
Say you want to set up an aquaponics system. You decide to grow tilapia, because they have many advantages for aquaponics. But tilapia like a water temperature of 28-30°C (82-86°F) and you live in a climate where it gets cold in winter. Using good [[Greenhouses|greenhouse design]], you are able to stabilize the temperature year-round, but there's no way you'll get it up to 28-30° without a heat source. This will require an input of power, in addition to the power needed for the pump.

There could be a way to kill two birds with one stone: build a [[thermophilic compost]] heap against one side of the fish tank. The heat from the compost will warm the water up. Care must be taken to keep the temperature of the greenhouse stable, as the pile can get up to 50°C (122°F). Secondly, for the pump you keep a [[Stirling Engine with Hydraulic Transmission|stirling engine]] at the compost heap. This is driven by the heat of the composting and is hydraulically connected to the water pump. Just an idea...

=Resources=

==2015==
*FAO Aquaponics design manual - [http://www.fao.org/3/contents/1dea3c92-1faa-47bb-a374-0cf4d9874544/i4021e00.htm] - notice Myanmar system described in section 9.4.1; information is available from author
*Open Source Aquaponics Lab, Paulo Marini - this gets OSE's #1 vote - [https://www.facebook.com/aquaponicslab FB], [https://aquaponicslab.org/ site]

==2014 and Earlier==
* [http://www.fastonline.org/?page_id=32 Aquaponics info at F.A.S.T.]
* [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com Backyard Aquaponics] - Includes a thriving [http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/ forum]
* [http://www.growingpower.org/ Growing Power] - a non-profit dedicated to educating people about growing food
* [http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/ Friendly Aquaponics] - contains plans for systems
* [http://www.aquaponicsjournal.com/articles.php Aquaponics Journal articles]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics#Further_reading Wikipedia aquaponics article] - Further Reading section
* [https://www.aquaponics.com/aquaponics/aquaponicsoverview.php ''Aquaponics Information'' at aquaponics.com]
* [[appropedia:Aquaponics|Aquaponics on Appropedia]]
* [http://http://uponics.com/aquaponics-fish/ Aquaponics Fish] Site outlining different fish for aquaponics, plus other aquaponics resources]
* [http://www.windward.org/ Windward] - a self-sufficient community that uses aquaponics. They have an informative website.
* [http://socalfishfarm.com/fish/ SoCal Fish Farm] - a commercial aquaponics operation. Their website has good information on tilapia, shrimp, aquaponics and [[Greenhouses|solar greenhouses]]
* [http://passionforproduce.net/ Passion For Produce] - backyard aquaponics garden in Sarasota, FL
* [http://www.aquaponics-shop.com Aquaponics Shop] - Australia dedicated aquaponics shop with commercial assistance and research
* [http://aquaponics-plans.allecofriendly.info Aquaponics Plans] - An enthusiast's blog about her personal experience with aquaponics and aquaponics plans.
* [http://aquaponicsideasonline.com Aquaponics System] - An aquaponics enthusiast's website providing ideas and advice for setting aquaponics gardens.
* [http://helpwithaquaponics.com Help With Aquaponics] - Site dedicated to helping people design, build and operate aquaponics systems.

Led grow light

2017-02-13T18:20:31Z

Andy: deleted minor error

'''LED Grow Lights Advantages'''
Efficiency: LEDs emit more light per watt than incandescent light bulbs. Their efficiency is not affected by shape and size, unlike fluorescent light bulbs or tubes.

Color: LEDs can emit light of an intended color without using any color filters as traditional lighting methods need. This is more efficient and can lower initial costs.

Size: LEDs can be very small (smaller than 2 mm2) and are easily populated onto printed circuit boards.

On/Off time: LEDs light up very quickly. A typical red indicator LED will achieve full brightness in under a microsecond. LEDs used in communications devices can have even faster response times.

Cycling: LEDs are ideal for uses subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that fail faster when cycled often, or HID lamps that require a long time before restarting.

Cool light: In contrast to most light sources, LEDs radiate very little heat in the form of IR that can cause damage to sensitive objects or fabrics. Wasted energy is dispersed as heat through the base of the LED.

Slow failure: LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt failure of incandescent bulbs.

Lifetime: LEDs can have a relatively long useful life. One report estimates 50,000 hours of useful life, though time to complete failure may be longer. Fluorescent tubes typically are rated at about 10,000 to 15,000 hours, depending partly on the conditions of use, and incandescent light bulbs at 1,000–2,000 hours.

Shock resistance: LEDs, being solid state components, are difficult to damage with external shock, unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are fragile.

Focus: The solid package of the LED can be designed to focus its light. Incandescent and fluorescent sources often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner.

'''Applications''':
Hydroponics, Horticulture, Greenhouse Lighting, etc

'''Stages of Growth''':
In general terms, its is recommended that seedlings/clones receive 16+ hours of light on, 8- hours off. During the vegetative phase, plants benefit from 18 hours on, 6 hours off. Using the [http://uponics.com/best-led-grow-lights Best LED Grow Lights], plants should have a balance of 12 hours on, 12 hours off during the flowering stage of growth.

'''Incredible Energy & Cost Savings & Eco-Friendly'''
A [http://www.ledgrowlight-hydro.com/full-spectrum-90w-ufo-led-grow-light-with-3w-chip-for-indoor-plants-and-hydroponics_p160.html 90W LED UFO Grow Light] produces as much light as a standard 400W HPS (High Pressure Sodium) light. According to the US Dept. of Energy, the average price of power is 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. For one year of use (12 hours per day) a 400 W HID light adds $187.46 to your bill while a 90W LED Light adds ONLY $42.18!! That’s nearly 80% less!!

Led grow light

2017-02-13T17:09:53Z

Andy: changed the structure of the last sentence

'''LED Grow Lights Advantages'''
Efficiency: LEDs emit more light per watt than incandescent light bulbs. Their efficiency is not affected by shape and size, unlike fluorescent light bulbs or tubes.

Color: LEDs can emit light of an intended color without using any color filters as traditional lighting methods need. This is more efficient and can lower initial costs.

Size: LEDs can be very small (smaller than 2 mm2) and are easily populated onto printed circuit boards.

On/Off time: LEDs light up very quickly. A typical red indicator LED will achieve full brightness in under a microsecond. LEDs used in communications devices can have even faster response times.

Cycling: LEDs are ideal for uses subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that fail faster when cycled often, or HID lamps that require a long time before restarting.

Cool light: In contrast to most light sources, LEDs radiate very little heat in the form of IR that can cause damage to sensitive objects or fabrics. Wasted energy is dispersed as heat through the base of the LED.

Slow failure: LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt failure of incandescent bulbs.

Lifetime: LEDs can have a relatively long useful life. One report estimates 50,000 hours of useful life, though time to complete failure may be longer. Fluorescent tubes typically are rated at about 10,000 to 15,000 hours, depending partly on the conditions of use, and incandescent light bulbs at 1,000–2,000 hours.

Shock resistance: LEDs, being solid state components, are difficult to damage with external shock, unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are fragile.

Focus: The solid package of the LED can be designed to focus its light. Incandescent and fluorescent sources often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner.

'''Applications''':
Hydroponics, Horticulture, Greenhouse Lighting, etc

'''Stages of Growth''':
In general terms, its is recommended that seedlings/clones receive 16+ hours of light on, 8- hours off. During the vegetative phase, plants benefit from 18 hours on, 6 hours off. Using the [http://http://uponics.com/best-led-grow-lights Best LED Grow Lights], plants should have a balance of 12 hours on, 12 hours off during the flowering stage of growth.

'''Incredible Energy & Cost Savings & Eco-Friendly'''
A [http://www.ledgrowlight-hydro.com/full-spectrum-90w-ufo-led-grow-light-with-3w-chip-for-indoor-plants-and-hydroponics_p160.html 90W LED UFO Grow Light] produces as much light as a standard 400W HPS (High Pressure Sodium) light. According to the US Dept. of Energy, the average price of power is 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. For one year of use (12 hours per day) a 400 W HID light adds $187.46 to your bill while a 90W LED Light adds ONLY $42.18!! That’s nearly 80% less!!

Aquaponics/Suggested Fish

2017-02-13T17:03:19Z

Andy: added Barramundi fish to the list

=Tilapia=

As a starter system, I would recommend getting a 275 gallon IBC tote or something similar and raise 75 tilapia in it. Attach at least 275 gallons worth of grow beds (roughly 48 cu ft of grow beds) and just do a syphon setup and constantly pump the water from the fish tank to the grow beds and back (or look into chift pist basically adds a sump tank so that only 1 water pump is needed). It's a large enough system to get a real world test out of it, and small enough that it can be done inexpensively.

=Prawns=

Prawns (large shrimp) can co-exist with tilapia in tanks kept above 55 degrees.

=Rainbow Trout=

In cooler climates, rainbow trout can be grown in an aquaponics system. They might need a bit more oxygen, since they are used to living in streams.

=Bass=

Bass have done well in fish-farming situations and might do well in aquaponic tanks.

=Koi=

Although not considered an edible fish, Koi a good ornamental fish for aquaponics. They are a colorful, long-living, adaptable fish and produce lots of beneficial waste nutrients for grow beds.

=Barramundi=

Barramundi are one of the most popular [http://uponics.com/aquaponics-fish aquaponics fish], especially in Australia. They are a warm water species and are noted for their feisty disposition and savory flavor. Barramundi prefer water temperatures which stay in the low 80's.

[[Category:Controlled-environment growing]]

Led grow light

2017-02-13T16:47:29Z

Andy: Added ":" after "Stages of Growth"

'''LED Grow Lights Advantages'''
Efficiency: LEDs emit more light per watt than incandescent light bulbs. Their efficiency is not affected by shape and size, unlike fluorescent light bulbs or tubes.

Color: LEDs can emit light of an intended color without using any color filters as traditional lighting methods need. This is more efficient and can lower initial costs.

Size: LEDs can be very small (smaller than 2 mm2) and are easily populated onto printed circuit boards.

On/Off time: LEDs light up very quickly. A typical red indicator LED will achieve full brightness in under a microsecond. LEDs used in communications devices can have even faster response times.

Cycling: LEDs are ideal for uses subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that fail faster when cycled often, or HID lamps that require a long time before restarting.

Cool light: In contrast to most light sources, LEDs radiate very little heat in the form of IR that can cause damage to sensitive objects or fabrics. Wasted energy is dispersed as heat through the base of the LED.

Slow failure: LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt failure of incandescent bulbs.

Lifetime: LEDs can have a relatively long useful life. One report estimates 50,000 hours of useful life, though time to complete failure may be longer. Fluorescent tubes typically are rated at about 10,000 to 15,000 hours, depending partly on the conditions of use, and incandescent light bulbs at 1,000–2,000 hours.

Shock resistance: LEDs, being solid state components, are difficult to damage with external shock, unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are fragile.

Focus: The solid package of the LED can be designed to focus its light. Incandescent and fluorescent sources often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner.

'''Applications''':
Hydroponics, Horticulture, Greenhouse Lighting, etc

'''Stages of Growth''':
In general terms, its is recommended that seedlings/clones receive 16+ hours of light on, 8- hours off. During the vegetative phase, plants benefit from 18 hours on, 6 hours off. [http://http://uponics.com/best-led-grow-lights LED Grow Lights] should have a balance of 12 hours on, 12 hours off during the flowering stage of growth.

'''Incredible Energy & Cost Savings & Eco-Friendly'''
A [http://www.ledgrowlight-hydro.com/full-spectrum-90w-ufo-led-grow-light-with-3w-chip-for-indoor-plants-and-hydroponics_p160.html 90W LED UFO Grow Light] produces as much light as a standard 400W HPS (High Pressure Sodium) light. According to the US Dept. of Energy, the average price of power is 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. For one year of use (12 hours per day) a 400 W HID light adds $187.46 to your bill while a 90W LED Light adds ONLY $42.18!! That’s nearly 80% less!!

Led grow light

2017-02-13T16:46:22Z

Andy: added LED grow light hours required for stages of growth

'''LED Grow Lights Advantages'''
Efficiency: LEDs emit more light per watt than incandescent light bulbs. Their efficiency is not affected by shape and size, unlike fluorescent light bulbs or tubes.

Color: LEDs can emit light of an intended color without using any color filters as traditional lighting methods need. This is more efficient and can lower initial costs.

Size: LEDs can be very small (smaller than 2 mm2) and are easily populated onto printed circuit boards.

On/Off time: LEDs light up very quickly. A typical red indicator LED will achieve full brightness in under a microsecond. LEDs used in communications devices can have even faster response times.

Cycling: LEDs are ideal for uses subject to frequent on-off cycling, unlike fluorescent lamps that fail faster when cycled often, or HID lamps that require a long time before restarting.

Cool light: In contrast to most light sources, LEDs radiate very little heat in the form of IR that can cause damage to sensitive objects or fabrics. Wasted energy is dispersed as heat through the base of the LED.

Slow failure: LEDs mostly fail by dimming over time, rather than the abrupt failure of incandescent bulbs.

Lifetime: LEDs can have a relatively long useful life. One report estimates 50,000 hours of useful life, though time to complete failure may be longer. Fluorescent tubes typically are rated at about 10,000 to 15,000 hours, depending partly on the conditions of use, and incandescent light bulbs at 1,000–2,000 hours.

Shock resistance: LEDs, being solid state components, are difficult to damage with external shock, unlike fluorescent and incandescent bulbs which are fragile.

Focus: The solid package of the LED can be designed to focus its light. Incandescent and fluorescent sources often require an external reflector to collect light and direct it in a usable manner.

'''Applications''':
Hydroponics, Horticulture, Greenhouse Lighting, etc

'''Stages of Growth'''
In general terms, its is recommended that seedlings/clones receive 16+ hours of light on, 8- hours off. During the vegetative phase, plants benefit from 18 hours on, 6 hours off. [http://http://uponics.com/best-led-grow-lights LED Grow Lights] should have a balance of 12 hours on, 12 hours off during the flowering stage of growth.

'''Incredible Energy & Cost Savings & Eco-Friendly'''
A [http://www.ledgrowlight-hydro.com/full-spectrum-90w-ufo-led-grow-light-with-3w-chip-for-indoor-plants-and-hydroponics_p160.html 90W LED UFO Grow Light] produces as much light as a standard 400W HPS (High Pressure Sodium) light. According to the US Dept. of Energy, the average price of power is 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. For one year of use (12 hours per day) a 400 W HID light adds $187.46 to your bill while a 90W LED Light adds ONLY $42.18!! That’s nearly 80% less!!

Aquaponics/Suggested Fish

2017-02-13T16:31:59Z

Andy: added koi