The Aquaponics Calculator

Transcription

1 The Aquaponics Calculator This tool is designed to enable the operators of an aquaponics system a virtual view of the operating environment of their system. Following input of the users values the AC will calculate optimal results based off industry best practise (UVI documentation). See below for the key of the excel sheet, the editable pink cells are to be filled out with the known measurements of the system, the grey cells are user selected dropdown menus, purple are calculated values, and light blue cells are known as fixed values. Cells with a red triangle in the corner have additional information or instruction regarding the input or output. The information will appear when the cursor is placed over the cell with the red triangle. These are known as comments. They can be created, edited or deleted by the user. Select the Aquaponics Calculator tab, to begin the process. General System Design Enter the component sizes (in gallons) of the aquaponics system for the, 1. Fish Tank 2. Clarifier 3. Bio-Filter 4. Sump 5. Grow Bed Dimensions 6. Pump flow rate, this can be determined by using of a bucket of known volume, and a timer. Flow rate = volume of the bucket / fill time in minutes The values will generate retention times for the system, which is important for the bacterial nitrification process, and nutrient absorption by the vegetables.

2 Aquaculture Components The tilapia data is entered in this section, 1. Number (No.) of fish 2. Average weight (in lbs) of a fish, select from the dropdown menu ( ) 3. Previous average weight of fish, select from the dropdown menu ( ) 4. Growth period, enter the time (in days) between weighings of fish 5. Previous Daily Feed Rate, enter the lbs per day of fish feed 6. Protein content in food, a percentage (%) from the fish feed manufacturer Water Quality Commented [1]: If we can add (which I just spoke to Jake about), a section that describes where in the system different levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate need to be, and what to test for in each section of the system. 1. Fish tank levels 2. Clarifying tank (some ammonia, and high nitrite) 3. Grow bed (high nitrate) 4. Sump Tank (no ammonia, low levels of everything) Using the equipment provided, water quality testing kit (for N testing), and ph meter (temperature and ph), values can be entered into the relevant cells to check that the readings are within a safe region for the fish. These ranges can be seen on the Reference Table tab. 1. Temperature (17-34C) 2. ph ( ) So essentially more detailed description of where they should take their measurements from in the system and what they should be looking for in each section. Commented [2]: so the instructions reflect the water testing process, vs. what they show in the excel sheet?

3 3. NH 3 4. NO 2-5. NO 3- Levels of these water quality values will vary depending on which part of the system is being tested. For example, ammonia should be highest in the fish tank and lowest in the sump tank. Nitrates should be lowest in the fish tank but highest in the bio-filter. An green check is given if the measured values range between the values in Table 1. on the 'Reference Table' sheet. These values should represent the overall acceptable range for the whole system. Values are based on recommendations from SRAC 452 and FAO small scale aquaponics. These are subject to change based on experimentation or further research. The range of acceptable values should be changed in Table 1. Reference Tables This tab contains the relevant data that the calculations in the Aquaponics Calculator tab refer to. This data can be changed according the the standards determined to be the best for the system or based on further research. Budget This tab is used to estimate the total initial costs, monthly operating costs and projected total annual budget for the aquaponics system. Section 1. Input costs for initial construction materials, parts, etc. Additional items, details or notes can be entered by creating additional rows or columns.

4 The construction and material purchasing costs are to be entered into this section. The annual depreciation rate refers to the estimated useful age of the system, assuming an approximate useful age of 20 years, 1 / 20 = 5% depreciate rate per year. Section 2. Operating costs of the system, enter cost per unit and number of units, if known. Total variable costs per month will be calculated at the bottom. Section 3. Information about fish production are reported and entered in the blue tables for each tank. Information about each vegetable or plant type is entered and calculated in the green table. (ADD Explanation for each entry) (Explain what to look for of interest)

5 Section 4. Based on the estimated monthly costs and annual production revenue total profit is calculated in the annual report. Negative net values are reported in red. Commented [3]: is there a way to store the costs/profits so that they can track this in the future, reflect on the past, etc. Stocking (Staggered) & Stocking (Progressive) These two tabs outline the Tilapia stocking requirements of the fish tank, allowing for two different styles of stocking; Staggered

6 Progressive Based on the style selected total tilapia mass is entered per month, and harvest restock months determined based on total tank fish weights. Staggered Progressive Water Quality Testing This tab to be used for the daily logging of water quality testing results of Nitrogen levels, ph, and temperature for each module of the aquaponics system. This can be printed for easier onsite documentation, and entered into the system later for tracking of changes in the system. 1. Fish Tank 2. Bio Filter 3. Clarifier 4. Growbed