farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
urban aquaponicsJesse Gerard
Jackie StarkerThomas Reynoldsat
farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Meeting Itinerary
Research
Early Concepts
Proof of Concepts Model
Aquaponics Map
Advantages
Why Aquaponics at Greensgrow
Project Statement
Concept for Greengrow
Cost and Benefits
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Research
1 www.sethwhite.org/images/ ross%20island/scott%...2 images32.fotki.com/.../ 98454/5340827/HDR4-vi.jpg3 http://popupgardens.typepad.com/pop_up_gardens/images/2008/02/07/biodome_seedli4 www.eaglespringsfarm.net/. ../greenhouse.jpg
Hydroponics, Antartica Urban Indoor Grow Environment
Seedlings Aquaponics Farm
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Early Concept Sketches
Tabletop Aquaponics Fish Tank Add on Fish Tank Add on
Fish Tank Add onFish Tank Spigot
indoor System with Storage
Expandable System
Book Shelf Integrated System
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Aquaponic System Study Model
This proof of concept model was set up to learn how the system works first hand. It uses goldfish, and we are currently growing lettuce, broccoli,peppers and tomatoes.
Fluorescent Grow Light
Pump and Particulate Filter
Plants
Grow Bed
Grow Medium (gravel)
Drain
Fish Tank
Water Test Kit
Fish Food
Grow Light Timer
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How Aquaponics Works
Lettuce- Harvestable in 60-90 days
Talapia- Harvestable in about 200 days
Fish are fed food andproduce Amonia rich waste. But, high levels of the waste substance is toxic for the fish.
Bacteria breaks down this Amonia into Nitrites andNitrates. Bacteria is cultured in a particulate filter and/or a grow medium.
Plants take in these Nitrates as nutrient. Water being pumped through the grow bed gets filtered by grow medium and plant roots.
Water is then returned clean for the fish. Very little water is wasted in the process.
Farmer/Consumer
-Feeds fish and
maintains the
system
-Receives two
crops from one
system.
farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Adavantages of Aquaponics
Hydroponics + Aquaculture = Aquaponics
Uses Much Less Water
Farms Plants and Fish
No Added Fertilizer
Grow Almost Anywhere
Hydroponics systems grow plants without soil. Aquaculture creates a habitat where fish can live and thrive. Aquaponics takes the best of both systems and combines them.
Aquaponics systems use about 20% of the water that it takes to grow using traditional means. The water is recycled so that there is no waste in the form of runoff.
If an edible fish, such as tilapia, is used to fertilize the plants, then the fish can be eaten as well. This creates a much larger yield than plants alone.
As long as the fish are being fed, there is no need to add fertilizer. The fish can be fed with the worms that live in and eat compost, which can greatly bring down the cost of fish food.
Aquaponics systems can produce food almost anywhere. They can be utilized indoors, or in places where the soil can not support plant growth, such as brown fields.
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As a part of the UArts FarmPhilly initiative our goal is to utilize
aquaponics to grow food in an urban setting. Given Greensgrow’s
current involvement in hyrdroponics and aquaculture, an opportunity
for design exists in an aquaponics system. This design affordance
allows for the integration of a repeatable and expandable system
that gets food to people, educates and raises awareness.
Project Statement
farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Why Aquaponics at Greensgrow?
Fits into Greensgrow’s mission
Promote Produce
Sale of fish
Increased effiency through vermiculture
Alternate Energy
Aquaponics continues to develop exciting, affordable and workable plans for growing food on land that was once deemed un-usuable.
Aquaponic lettuce would promote awareness and interest in alternatively grown lettuce. This interest translates into increased demand and sales of hydroponic and aquaponiclettuce.
In addition to providing nutrition to the plants, revenue can be generated by the sale of fish at the end of the season.
A worm farm would provide food to the fish as well as afford other opportunities for Greens-grow such as the production of soil.
Solar panels would provide alternative energy sourcing for the Aquaponics system. As a non-profit, Greensgrow could gave solar panels donated which would offset the cost of the system electronics.
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System Scale
Home System Full Scale Farm
Aquaponics can be done a number of different scales. A medium sized system would be most approriate for Greensgrow.
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System Front View200 gallon drip irragation system
Drip Reservior
Reservior
Grow Bed
Fish Tank
Pump
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EducationEducational content is integrated into the Aquaponics system. The design highlights how the symbiotic cycle, and each of it’s components work.
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farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Grow BedA remote grow bed allows the plants to grow in nutrient rich water, while being kept sepreratly from from the fish that may otherwise damage the roots.
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farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Fish TankA habitat where fish can thrive and grow to maturity.
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Nutrient SourcesTraditional fish pellets are fairly inexpensive, but worm farms and duck weed are nearly free alternatives to purchasing commercial fish food.
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farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Solar PowerPhotovoltaics could directly power electronics associated with the Aquaponics system, or be wired into the grid.
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Water ReservoirThe addition of a reservoir increases the volume of the system, making it more consistent. It may also help if the pump goes out.
farmphillya n u r b a n a g r i c u l t u r e p r o j e c t
Cost and Benefitsof a 100 gallon system
25 lbs. of Talapia @ $10 /lb.
$250 End of Season Gross Sales
40 Lettuce Plants (@ full term spacing)
80-120 Haverested Plants
$10 /gal. Intial System Cost
$1000 Build Cost of 100 Gallon System
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