AQUAPONICS Technical Aspects

Transcription

1 AQUAPONICS Technical Aspects Dr Wilson Lennard

2 REASONS FOR INTEGRATION Water conservation little new water is required (a big issue in Australia!) Zero environmental impact little nutrient rich waste-water is discharged Additional crop produced from the same initial resource (fish feed) Increased profit potential

3 MY AQUAPONIC APPROACH I now base my designs on a nodal approach Based on a single, small fish production area attached to a single hydroponic production system Larger systems see the increase in the number of nodes Protects against single fish system approach problems (eg: disease)

4 AUSTRALIAN DIFFERENCES Australia exhibits differences in aquaponic system design Due to one major factor: fish species No Tilapia in Australia Australian fish are carnivorous (50% protein diet) Much higher than Tilapia diet (32%)

5 FISH SPECIES Australian native fish are more sensitive than Tilapia Sensitive to: Dissolved oxygen Ammonia Nitrite They also require a lower water temperature than Tilapia

6 A DIFFERENT APPROACH Because of these differences in fish tolerances, Australians need to adopt a slightly different approach to aquaponic system design and management Separate and stand-alone biofiltration seem to make sense (the fish system operates by itself if required)

7 A DIFFERENT APPROACH The other major difference is that fish components containing Australian fish species can support far higher numbers of plants (50% protein feed vs 32% protein feed) These factors may come into play when operators wish to use fish species other than Tilapia in their aquaponic systems

8 MY DESIGN APPROACH The fish system is modelled on existing, successful recirculating systems The fish system is contained in an environmentally controlled area (eg: shed) The fish system is designed for a stand alone capacity

9 MY DESIGN APPROACH The hydroponic system needs to be adaptable to a hot house situation The hydroponic system is designed so it is completely insulated The water delivery system to the hydroponic system is also insulated This all allows temperature control at one point: the fish shed

10 HYDROPONIC COMPONENTS The most popular hydroponic component design approach is the UVI initiated Deep flow channel approach Other approaches are possible Semi-deep flow (small rooted plants) Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

11 SEMI-DEEP FLOW

12 RULES FOR FISH SYSTEM DESIGN Keep it simple; ozone, UV etc not needed High flow rates: at least 1 tank volume per hour Use sedimentation/swirl separation wherever possible Screen to no lower than 80μm Design with aeration as only D.O. source

13 RULES FOR PLANT SYSTEM DESIGN Floating rafts best system; gravel is a no no! Insulate if possible (ALL climates) Maximise plant density for efficiency of space Flow rates are slow; approx. flow of: 1 tray volume every 3-5 hours Protect plants from : hard rain, hail, wind

14 RULES FOR PLANT SYSTEM DESIGN Long tray runs (eg: greater than 5m) require supplemental aeration (eg: UVI system); short tray runs do not Try to gravity feed to hydro system, therefore you can use non-pressure rated pipe work, valves, T s, T elbows etc (cheaper) 150mm (6 ) ) water depth in trays is the minimum

15 NEW ZEALAND NFT I have built a semi-commercial scale NFT aquaponic system in NZ Side by side systems; aquaponic & standard hydroponic 12 month trials to test aquaponic growth rates against standard hydroponics

16 NEW ZEALAND NFT

17 NEW ZEALAND NFT

18 NEW ZEALAND NFT

19 RESULTS The trials have proven that aquaponic plants grow statistically to the same size over the same growing period (ie: aquaponics grows plants as well as hydroponics) NFT is NOT the best hydroponic component for aquaponic systems (loss of water temperature, low volume = less ecosystem)

20 RESULTS Number Crop Top Weight (g) Top Weight (g) Sig Diff? Better System Difference (%) Hydroponic Aquaponic 1 Dill-Feb No sig difference Same 0 2 Rocket-Feb No sig difference Same 0 3 Dill-March No sig difference Same 0 4 Rocket-March No sig difference Same 0 5 Coriander-March sig difference Aquaponic Dill-Aprill sig difference Aquaponic 50 7 Pit-April sig difference Aquaponic 25 8 Coriander-April sig difference Aquaponic Dill-April(2) no sig difference Same 0 10 Pit-April(2) sig difference Aquaponic 71 Table 1 : Summer/Autumn NFT herb variety results

21 RESULTS Number Crop Top Weight (g) Top Weight (g) Sig Diff? Better System Difference (%) Hydroponic Aquaponic 11 Dill-April(3) no sig difference Same 0 12 Rocket-May sig difference Hydroponic Coriander-May sig difference Aquaponic Dill-May no sig difference Same 0 15 Rocket-May(2) sig difference Hydroponic Pit-May sig difference Aquaponic Pit-May (2) sig difference Aquaponic Corinader-May (2) No sig difference Same 0 19 Coriander-May (3) No sig difference Same 0 Table 2 b : Summer/Autumn NFT herb variety results

22 CONCLUSIONS Aquaponics works in many different configurations, therefore: experiment, design to your local climate and fish/plant species Don t t be afraid to try something different Check your water source (crucial!!!!!!) Try to use rain water for your daily top-up HAVE A GO!!

23 Contact Dr Wilson Lennard Aquaponic Solutions Ph:

24 AQUAPONICS Media Systems & My Calculator Dr Wilson Lennard

25 INTRODUCTION There is too much rubbish spoken in the backyard community and forums Old wives tales and untested approaches don t assist anyone No backyard system sellers actually use any technical model(s) to design systems It is a suck it and see industry

26 REASONS FOR MY MODEL I got sick of the haphazard approach of backyard system sellers I get sick of getting s from countless backyard operators with problems I was asked to produce a biofilter model when in Hawaii with Dr. Rakocy last year, so decided to write a full media bed model

27 AQUAPONIC SYSTEM DESIGN All aquaponic systems (commercial, backyard) should be designed the same way: Decide on plant growing area Calculate the fish feed required to supply that plant growth area Calculate the average fish biomass required to utilise that fish feed Calculate fish tank volume based on biomass to be held

28 TYPICAL BACKYARD SYSTEM

29 THE MODEL

30 THE MODEL The model works by entering the desired fish tank size first, which is counter to how systems should be designed This was done because this is what everyone expects A 10 page How to use document is provided with the model

31 THE MODEL

32 INPUT PARAMETERS The input parameters include: Desired fish tank volume Desired average fish culture density Average daily feed rate (as a % of fish biomass) Fish feed protein content (32% - Tilapia) Media specific surface area (300 m 2 /m 3 )

33 The outputs include: OUTPUTS Biofilter volume required Flow rate required Bed surface area required to meet solids mineralisation Updated fish tank volume (compensate for media bed flood volume) Bed surface area required for leafy green plants Bed surface area required for fruiting plants

34 USING THE MODEL Once the fish tank volume, fish density, feed rate, feed protein content and SSA of media is added, the model outputs several parameters key to your media bed area size Biofiltration is always met for media bed Important outputs are the bed areas; always use the largest bed area outputs The model can be used in reverse by using a lets see how this goes approach

35 ACCESS TO THE MODEL The model and associated How to use document may be downloaded for free from my web site: There is also a long page of information for media bed and backyard system design

36 CONTACT Dr Wilson Lennard Aquaponic Solutions Ph:

37 AQUAPONICS Economic Aspects Dr Wilson Lennard

38 INTRODUCTION This talk is built around my personal experiences I have several years experience with a small scale aquaponics business Because aquaponics is in its infancy, examples are few and far between Hopefully my experiences can translate to your wishes

39 AQUAPONIC ECONOMICS Everyone knows the basics of running a business economically In simple terms: You need to make money You need an acceptable capital outlay You need to be able to pay off the outlay You need acceptable work hours

40 NICHE AQUAPONIC MODEL Currently, one of the most promising economic areas for aquaponics is niche scale farming (urban?) Single owner/operator model, products sold at retail price (no wholesaler), service local interests, directed local marketing, sales from the farm gate and to local business

41 ECONOMIC MODELLING Economic modelling allows us to study the financials of our proposed business without having to actually do it Modelling may be simple or complex Modelling involves several factors, including, but not limited to spread sheet analysis Spread sheets allow us to study the numbers

42 ECONOMIC MODELLING Several factors need to be considered Personal preferences (single owner/operator, work hours, work situation, partnerships etc ) Financial factors (capital required, income required) Market factors (market availability, niche markets, local clients etc )

43 ECONOMIC DESIGN REALITIES The system has to be sized based upon two main criteria: The amount of capital available. The amount of income required. A third requirement (for the niche approach) is that one person can operate the system. ie: the system is a model of a single person, home- based business.

44 CAPITAL REQUIRED Several choices are available, most of which involve borrowing money For this reason (being in debt), my approach is to keep my borrowings as low as possible Sources include Banks, Financial Institutions, Friends, Business Partners Start small if possible (need to borrow less)

45 INCOME REQUIRED Begin your modelling with your income in mind No use being in business if you cannot make money! Work out the income you require vs the effort expended Required incomes rise when partners become involved

46 THE APPROACH I reason that, if the fish production side of the business AT LEAST PAYS for ALL the running costs, then the plants will produce pure profit This means that aquaponics is at least comparable with, and maybe better than, standard hydroponics This is because the running costs in hydroponics must come from the sale of plants, which eats into profits

47 ECONOMICS OF THE FISH Sizing of the fish system is based upon the size of the plant system required to meet potential plant revenues Also sized for single person ease of operation Fish sales at this scale (< 2 tonne/anum) are NOT economically viable in normal recirc. Fish sales used to cover the running costs of the system/business

48 ECONOMICS OF FISH SALES You must know there is an available market in your area You must have a good idea of what that market wants in terms of species and regularity of supply This is a niche situation, wholesale fish sales are completely different It does allow a lot of control on your behalf!

49 ECONOMICS OF PLANTS You must know there is an available market in your area You must have a good idea of what that market wants in terms of species and regularity of supply This is a niche situation, wholesale plant sales can be completely different It does allow a lot of control on your behalf!

50 OVERALL ECONOMICS/APPROACH Fish sales used to cover running costs Plant sales therefore approximately equal net profit Owner/operator labour cost becomes profit Employ low energy/sustainable energy principles (eg: solar heating, one pump design etc ) ) to lower operating costs

51 RULES FOR MODELLING Take a simple approach (ie: money spent v money made) ALWAYS over estimate your system building costs (I use a 20% rule!) ALWAYS under estimate your sale prices for fish and plants (I use the 20% rule) ALWAYS model this way first, before making any other decisions

52 RULES FOR MODELLING Spend a lot of time doing this modelling GET IT RIGHT!!!!!!!! Spend a lot of time doing market research Speak to chefs etc in the area you want to sell to so you gain knowledge of what they actually want Remember, with chefs, it s s QUALITY that counts, not quantity

53 SPREAD SHEET ANALYSIS Spread sheets allow us to model our business before we actually spend much money We can model capital requirements, on-going costs, incomes, pay back periods, break even points etc Number crunching may be boring, but is invaluable!!

54 ASSUMPTIONS The assumptions we make are critical to the voracity of the model Be as exacting and comprehensive with assumptions as possible Get someone else to check your assumptions and make sure they reflect reality! Research is required

55 LESSONS LEARNED Technical feasibility economic success. Marketing, marketing and more marketing. Keep your customers HAPPY. Be truthful with customers (liars lose!). Try to grow what you have already sold (again, more MARKETING!!). Be realistic about your time.

56 CONTACT Dr Wilson Lennard Aquaponic Solutions Ph: