Sustainable Life/Controlled Environmental Agriculture

I would like to open up an organic greenhouse in Erie. I wish to use a technique called aquaponics as the system used in the greenhouse. The word Aquaponic forms when the words "Aquaculture" and "Hydroponic" merge together.

Aquaculture = Fish Farming
Hydroponic = Raising plants in soilless medium using nutrient enriched water.

What the fuck is an Aquaponic System


Kobus Jooste, a member theaquaponicsource.com's community defines aquaponics as  the cultivation of fish and plants together in a constructed, re-circulation ecosystem utilizing natural bacterial cycles to convert fish wastes to plant nutrients.

This is a natural food growing method that harnesses the best attributes of aquaculture and hydroponics without the need to discard any water or filtrate or add chemical fertilizers."


The water starts out in the fish beds or aquariums where it becomes "dirty". After the water leaves
the fish beds, it then has the sediments filtered out by many possible techniques. The method that I believe I will be focusing on is a swirl filter. After the water is filtered of sediments, it then goes right to the planters. A sump would then pump the water back into the fish beds to start over.

***UPDATE***    4/02/13     6:33 PM

***UPDATE***    4/02/13     6:33 PM

Different Types of Hydroponic systems
DWC - Deep Water Culture -  The root mass sits in a nutrient rich body of water that is aerated
Aeroponics - A method of soil-less plant growth that uses nutrient rich mist to fertilize plants.
Drip Irrigation - Plants are constantly fed from the top using a drip system to distribute water
NFT - Uses water moving by gravity

I will have a blog post later further going into detail about these techniques and how I will use them to build what I think, will be the most efficient system

What makes Aquaponics my preferred method of culivation?

SAVES 95% of the water required by in-ground growing,

resulting in huge savings on your water usage…while providing fresh, tasty organic vegetables, fruits and fish!

Grows Vegetables and Fruits faster 

the system is optimized to provide a perfect growing environment for whatever your crop may be. Or at least that's the goal.
http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/about-us/veggies-and-fish/

No need to water,

The system automatically, and continuously,circulates a nutrient-rich supply of warm water throughout the system.

No need to weed,

Crops are “planted” in soil alternatives such as gravel, clayton and styrofoam. 

No need for pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides or fungicides,

the system naturally balances the system for you. Fish feed the Plants, Plants filter water for Fish.

No need for antibiotics or hormones,

the fish are kept in a healthy, happy environment at all times.

Maintenance is minimal,

most systems require very little maintenance, which is the point. It takes care of itself. Especially if the fish are fed on timers.
http://aquaponicsecosystem.com/maintenance-of-aquaponic-ecosystems/

SAVES 95% of the water required by in-ground growing,

resulting in huge savings on your water usage…while providing fresh, tasty organic vegetables, fruits and fish. Some water will be lost due to runoff and evaporation.

The entire system can be Solar-Powered and Completely Automated.

if running an outdoor aquaponic farm, the only thing that electricity would be needed for is your sump. Especially if you plan to utilize gravity as a way of transporting water.

http://edenaquaponics.com/what-is-aquaponics/
http://theaquaponicsource.com/2010/11/15/the-definition-of-aquaponics/