Aquaponics-Integration of Hydroponics with - matrixfiles.com.

28 Pages·2006·1.22 MB·English

by  Steve Diver

Aquaponics—Integration of
Hydroponics with Aquaculture
ATTRA
A Publication of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service • 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.org
By Steve Diver Aquaponics is a bio-integrated system that links recirculating aquaculture with hydroponic vegetable,
NCAT Agriculture flower, and/or herb production. Recent advances by researchers and growers alike have turned aqua-
Specialist ponics into a working model of sustainable food production. This publication provides an introduction
©2006 NCAT to aquaponics with brief profiles of working units around the country. An extensive list of resources
point the reader to print and Web-based educational materials for further technical assistance.
Contents In aquaponics, nutrient-rich effluent from
fish tanks is used to fertigate hydroponic
Introduction .....................1
production beds. This is good for the
Aquaponics: Key
fish because plant roots and rhizobacteria
Elements and
Considerations ................2 remove nutrients from the water. These
nutrients—generated from fish manure,
Aquaponic Systems .......3
algae, and decomposing fish feed—are con-
The North Carolina State
University System ..........4 taminants that would otherwise build up
The Speraneo System ...5 to toxic levels in the fish tanks, but instead
The University of the serve as liquid fertilizer to hydroponically
Virgin Islands System ....7 Aquaponic vegetable bed in Australia. grown plants. In turn, the hydroponic beds
The Freshwater Institute Photo by Joel Malcolm, Backyard Aquaponics. function as a biofilter— stripping off ammo-
System ................................8 www.backyardaquaponics.com
nia, nitrates, nitrites, and phosphorus—
The Cabbage Hill Farm (with permission)
so the freshly cleansed water can then be
System ................................9
recirculated back into the fish tanks. The
The New Alchemy
Introduction nitrifying bacteria living in the gravel and in
Institute ..............................9
association with the plant roots play a criti-
Miscellaneous A
quaponics, also known as the integra-
Systems ............................11 cal role in nutrient cycling; without these
tion of hydroponics with aquaculture,
Organic Aquaculture ..11 microorganisms the whole system would
Evaluating an Aquaponic is gaining increased attention as a stop functioning.
Enterprise ........................12 bio-integrated food production system.
Greenhouse growers and farmers are taking
References ......................13
Aquaponics serves as a model of sus- note of aquaponics for several reasons:
Resources ........................13
tainable food production by following
Appendix .........................19 • Hydroponic growers view fish-
certain principles:
Bibliography on manured irrigation water as a
Aquaponics ..............19 • The waste products of one biological source of organic fertilizer that
Dissertations ............25 enables plants to grow well.
system serve as nutrients for a sec-
ond biological system. • Fish farmers view hydroponics as
a biofiltration method to facilitate
• The integration of fish and plants
intensive recirculating aquaculture.
results in a polyculture that
ATTRA—National Sustainable
Agriculture Information Service increases diversity and yields • Greenhouse growers view aquapon-
is managed by the National Cen- ics as a way to introduce organic
multiple products.
ter for Appropriate Technology
(NCAT) and is funded under a hydroponic produce into the market-
grant from the United States • Water is re-used through biological place, since the only fertility input
Department of Agriculture’s
filtration and recirculation.
Rural Business-Cooperative Ser- is fish feed and all of the nutrients
vice. Visit the NCAT Web site • Local food production pro- pass through a biological process.
(www.ncat.org/agri.
html) for more informa- vides access to healthy foods and • Food-producing greenhouses—
tion on our sustainable
agriculture projects. ���� enhances the local economy. yielding two products from one
production unit—are naturally Hydroponics: Hydroponics is the produc-
appealing for niche marketing and tion of plants in a soilless medium whereby
green labeling. all of the nutrients supplied to the crop are
dissolved in water. Liquid hydroponic sys-
• Aquaponics can enable the produc-
tems employ the nutrient film technique
tion of fresh vegetables and fish pro-
(NFT), floating rafts, and noncirculating
tein in arid regions and on water-
water culture. Aggregate hydroponic sys-
limited farms, since it is a water
tems employ inert, organic, and mixed
re-use system.
media contained in bag, trough, trench,
• Aquaponics is a working model of pipe, or bench setups. Aggregate media
sustainable food production wherein used in these systems include perlite, ver-
plant and animal agriculture are miculite, gravel, sand, expanded clay, peat,
integrated and recycling of nutrients and sawdust. Normally, hydroponic plants
and water filtration are linked. are fertigated (soluble fertilizers injected
into irrigation water) on a periodical cycle
• In addition to commercial appli-
to maintain moist roots and provide a con-
cation, aquaponics has become a
stant supply of nutrients. These hydroponic
popular training aid on integrated
nutrients are usually derived from synthetic
Related ATTRA bio-systems with vocational agri-
Publications commercial fertilizers, such as calcium
culture programs and high school
nitrate, that are highly soluble in water.
Evaluating an biology classes.
However, hydro-organics—based on solu-
Aquaculture
The technology associated with aquapon- ble organic fertilizers such as fish hydrosyl-
Enterprise
ics is complex. It requires the ability to ate—is an emerging practice. Hydroponic
Agricultural Business simultaneously manage the production recipes are based on chemical formula-
Planning Templates
and marketing of two different agricultural tions that deliver precise concentrations of
and Resources
products. Until the 1980s, most attempts mineral elements. The controlled deliv-
at integrated hydroponics and aquacul- ery of nutrients, water, and environmen-
ture had limited success. However, inno- tal modifications under greenhouse condi-
vations since the 1980s have transformed tions is a major reason why hydroponics is
aquaponics technology into a viable sys- so successful.
tem of food production. Modern aquaponic
Nutrients in Aquaculture Effluent:
systems can be highly successful, but they
Greenhouse growers normally control the
require intensive management and they have
delivery of precise quantities of mineral
special considerations.
elements to hydroponic plants. However,
in aquaponics, nutrients are delivered via
This publication provides an introduction to
aquacultural effluent. Fish effluent contains
aquaponics, it profiles successful aquaponic
sufficient levels of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite,
greenhouses, and it provides extensive
phosphorus, potassium, and other second-
resources. It does not attempt to describe
ary and micronutrients to produce hydro-
production methods in comprehensive tech-
ponic plants. Naturally, some plant species
nical detail, but it does provide a summary
are better adapted to this system than oth-
of key elements and considerations.
ers. The technical literature on aquaponics
provides greater detail on hydroponic nutri-
Aquaponics: Key Elements
ent delivery; especially see papers cited in
and Considerations the Bibliography by James Rakocy, PhD.
A successful aquaponics enterprise requires Plants Adapted to Aquaponics: The
special training, skills, and management. selection of plant species adapted to hydro-
The following items point to key elements ponic culture in aquaponic greenhouses
and considerations to help prospective grow- is related to stocking density of fish tanks
ers evaluate the integration of hydroponics and subsequent nutrient concentration of
with aquaculture. aquacultural effluent. Lettuce, herbs, and
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specialty greens (spinach, chives, basil, and products to forms more available to plants
watercress) have low to medium nutritional prior to delivery to hydroponic vegetable
requirements and are well adapted to aqua- beds. Other systems deliver fish effluent
ponic systems. Plants yielding fruit (toma- directly to gravel-cultured hydroponic veg-
toes, bell peppers, and cucumbers) have etable beds. The gravel functions as a “flu-
a higher nutritional demand and perform idized bed bioreactor,” removing dissolved
better in a heavily stocked, well established solids and providing habitat for nitrifying
aquaponic system. Greenhouse varieties bacteria involved in nutrient conversions.
of tomatoes are better adapted to low light, The design manuals and technical docu-
high humidity conditions in greenhouses mentation available in the Resources sec-
than field varieties. tion can help growers decide which system
is most appropriate.
Fish Species: Several warm-water and
cold-water fish species are adapted to recir- Component Ratio: Matching the volume
culating aquaculture systems, including of fish tank water to volume of hydroponic
tilapia, trout, perch, Arctic char, and bass. media is known as component ratio. Early
However, most commercial aquaponic sys- aquaponics systems were based on a ratio
tems in North America are based on tila- of 1:1, but 1:2 is now common and tank: T
ilapia is a
pia. Tilapia is a warm-water species that bed ratios as high as 1:4 are employed.
warm-water
grows well in a recirculating tank culture. The variation in range depends on type of
species that
Furthermore, tilapia is tolerant of fluctuat- hydroponic system (gravel vs. raft), fish spe-
ing water conditions such as pH, tempera- cies, fish density, feeding rate, plant spe- grows well in a recir-
ture, oxygen, and dissolved solids. Tilapia cies, etc. For example, the Speraneo system culating tank cul-
produces a white-fleshed meat suitable to described below is designed for one cubic ture.
local and wholesale markets. The literature foot of water to two cubic feet of grow bed
on tilapia contains extensive technical doc- media (pea gravel). Further, when shallow
umentation and cultural procedures. Bar- bed systems only three inches in depth are
ramundi and Murray cod fish species are employed for the production of specialty
raised in recirculating aquaponic systems greens such as lettuce and basil, the square
in Australia. footage of grow space will increase four
times. Depending on the system design, the
Water Quality Characteristics: Fish
component ratio can favor greater outputs of
raised in recirculating tank culture require
either hydroponic produce or fish protein.
good water quality conditions. Water qual-
A “node” is a configuration that links one
ity testing kits from aquacultural sup-
fish tank to a certain number of hydroponic
ply companies are fundamental. Critical
beds. Thus, one greenhouse may contain
water quality parameters include dissolved
a multiple number of fish tanks and asso-
oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrate,
ciated growing beds, each arranged in a
nitrite, pH, chlorine, and other character-
separate node.
istics. The stocking density of fish, growth
rate of fish, feeding rate and volume, and
related environmental fluctuations can elicit
Male tilapia fish. AARM
rapid changes in water quality; constant - Aquaculture & Aquatic
and vigilant water quality monitoring Resources Management
Asian Institute of
is essential.
Technology, Thailand.
Biofiltration and Suspended Solids: www.aqua.ait.ac.th/
modules/xcgal/
Aquaculture effluent contains nutrients, dis-
solved solids, and waste byproducts. Some
Aquaponic Systems
aquaponic systems are designed with inter-
mediate filters and cartridges to collect sus- Profiles of several aquaponic greenhouses
pended solids in fish effluent, and to facili- are highlighted below as models of com-
tate conversion of ammonia and other waste mercially viable systems. Most of these
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 3
operations are featured in magazine articles fish can bring premium prices,
and conference proceedings. Some oper- particularly during winter months
ations offer technical assistance through in urban areas.
short courses, design manuals, and on-site
• Biofilters (sand beds with vegeta-
tours. Please refer to articles in the Sug-
bles) that are alternately flooded
gested Reading list, the Resources sec-
and drained with nutrient-laden fish
tion, and the Bibliography for in-depth tank water are called reciprocating
descriptions and technical details.
biofilters.
• Reciprocating biofilters provide
The North Carolina State
uniform distribution of nutrient-
University System laden water within the filtration
In the 1980’s Mark McMurtry (former medium during the flood cycle, and
improved aeration from atmospheric
graduate student) and the late Doug Sand-
exchange during each dewatering
ers (professor) at North Carolina State Uni-
with benefits to both nitrifying bac-
versity developed an aqua-vegeculture sys-
teria and plant roots.
tem based on tilapia fish tanks sunk below
Water con- the greenhouse floor. Effluent from the fish • Dissolved and suspended organic
tanks was trickle-irrigated onto sand-cul- materials accumulate rapidly
sump-
tured hydroponic vegetable beds located at in aquaculture systems and must
tion in
ground level. The nutrients in the irrigation be removed for efficient fish
an integrated aqua-
water fed tomato and cucumber crops, and production.
vegeculture system the sand beds and plant roots functioned as
• Previous integrated fish-vegetable
amounts to 1 per- a biofilter. After draining from the beds,
systems removed suspended solids
cent of that required the water recirculated back into the fish from the water by sedimentation in
tanks. The only fertility input to the system
in pond culture to clarifiers prior to plant application.
was fish feed (32 percent protein).
Removal of the solid wastes resulted
produce equivalent
in insufficient residual nutrients for
tilapia yields. Some findings and highlights of
good plant growth; acceptable fruit
McMurtry’s research:
yields had previously only been
• Benefits of integrating aquaculture
achieved with substantial supple-
and vegetable production are:
mentation of plant nutrients.
1. conservation of water resources • Aquaeous nitrate concentrations in
and plant nutrients recirculating aquaculture can be
2. intensive production of fish adequately regulated when fish and
protein vegetable production are linked via
reciprocating biofilters.
3. reduced operating costs relative
to either system in isolation. • Tomatoes may have also assimi-
lated nitrogen in organic amino
• Water consumption in an integrated
acid forms. In 1950 Gosh and Bur-
aqua-vegeculture system amounts to
ris (Utilization of nitrogenous com-
1 percent of that required in pond
pounds by plants. Soil Science.
culture to produce equivalent tilapia
Vol. 70: 187-203) found that toma-
yields.
toes utilize alanine, glutamic acid,
• Such low-water-use symbiotic sys- histidine, and leucine as effectively
tems are applicable to the needs as inorganic nitrogen sources.
of arid or semi-arid regions where
• Research to determine the optimum
fish and fresh vegetables are in high
ratio of fish tank to biofilter volume
demand.
on fish growth rate and water qual-
• Organic vine-ripened, pesticide- ity found that stocking density of
free produce and “fresh-daily” fish and plants can vary depending
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on desired goal. The component tank-plus-hydroponic bed setup as a “node.”
ratios of the system may be manipu- This way, each node can operate indepen-
lated to favour fish or vegetable pro- dently of one another.
duction according to local market
Some aspects of the Speraneo system were
trends or dietary needs. Fish stock-
modeled after the aquaponics research at
ing density and feeding rates are
North Carolina State University, while oth-
adjusted to optimize water quality
ers are modified. The Speraneos employ
as influenced by plant growth rate.
hydroponic vegetable beds as “fluidized
See the Bibliography on Aquaponics bed reactors,” but they use pea-grade river
in the appendix for a of list articles that
gravel instead of sand. Tilapia are raised
resulted from the North Carolina research.
in fish tanks, but the tanks are more con-
veniently located above ground and tilapia
Aqua-vegeculture research at NCSU has
hybrids adapted to cooler water tempera-
been discontinued because the technology
tures are grown. The reciprocating water
had evolved to the point where it is ready
cycle, PVC piping, and return-flow water
for grower application. The Department of
pumping methods were designed by Tom
Horticulture and the Cooperative Extension
Service at NCSU provide technical assis- and Paula to match their system. T
he Spera-
tance to aquaponic greenhouse growers in
For years, Purina® fish chow at 40 percent neo system
North Carolina.
protein was the primary fertility input, sup-
was practi-
plemented with tank-cultured algae. Tila-
cal, productive, and
The Speraneo System pia in the Speraneo system are raised for
wildly successful.
In the early 1990s, Tom and Paula Spe- 7 to 12 months, then harvested at one to
raneo—owners of S & S Aqua Farm near one-and-a-half pounds in size. Later, Tom
West Plains, Missouri—modified the North started adding small amounts of Planters
Carolina State method by raising tilapia in 2® rock dust on top of the gravel as a trace
a 500-gallon tank, with fish effluent linked element supplement.
to gravel-cultured hydroponic vegetable
S & S Aqua Farm has grown fresh basil,
beds inside an attached solar greenhouse.
tomatoes, cucumbers, mixed salad greens,
Later, they expanded to a full-size commer-
and an assortment of vegetable, herb, and
cial greenhouse. The Speraneo system was
ornamental bedding plants in the aqua-
practical, productive, and wildly successful.
ponic greenhouse. In the early 1990’s,
It became the model for dozens of commer-
Tom and Paula were raising and selling
cial aquaponic greenhouses and high school
basil for $12 a pound to gourmet restau-
biology programs.
rants about four hours away in St. Louis,
Sadly, Tom Speraneo died in February Missouri. Following passage of the North
2004. Tom was a true pioneer in aqua- American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
ponics, and he was unfailingly generous however, Mexican imports of basil resulted
and helpful to others. Paula Speraneo in a market crash to $4 per pound, so they
and her family continue to run the green- dropped the St. Louis market. S & S Aqua
house and actively participate in aqua- Farm now grows a diverse variety of vege-
ponics technology transfer. The following table and herbs, selling locally at a farmers
notes describe the Speraneo system and market combined with direct sales out of
available resources. their greenhouse.
The commercial-scale solar green- Tom once calculated the farm produces 45
house at S & S Aqua Farm is 50 feet by to 70 pounds of produce for every pound of
80 feet, oriented East-West to create a tilapia, an impressive yield. However, Paula
south-facing slope. It contains six 1,200 explained this figure takes into account the
gallon fish tanks. Each tank is linked to cummulative yields of multiple vegetable
six one-foot-deep hydroponic beds filled crops raised during the 7 to 12 month time
with river gravel. Tom referred to each period required to raise fish to harvest.
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 5
Aquaponic greenhouse
at S&S Aqua Farms, West
Plains, Missouri. Photos
by Steve Diver, NCAT.
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The component ratio favors vegetables over rearing tanks, and the aquacultural efflu-
fish yields in the Speraneo system. ent is linked to floating raft hydroponics.
Basil, lettuce, okra, and other crops have
Interest in the Speraneo system resulted
been raised successfully, with outstanding
in more than 10,000 visitors to the small
quality and yields.
farm in Missouri, including school children,
farmers, researchers, and government offi- The system components include: Four fish
cials. To handle requests for assistance, the rearing tanks at 7,800 liters each, clarifi-
Speraneos compiled a resource packet and ers, filter and degassing tanks, air diffus-
design manual with technical specifications ers, sump, base addition tank, pipes and
to establish an S & S Aqua Farm-style aqua- pumps, and six 400-square foot hydroponic
ponic system. The resource packet includes troughs totaling 2,400 sq. ft. The pH is
a 10-minute video and a list of supplies. monitored daily and maintained at 7.0 to
Response from growers to a practical design 7.5 by alternately adding calcium hydroxide
manual such as this was tremendous. The and potassium hydroxide to the base addi-
Speraneo system is now in use worldwide. tion tank, which buffers the aquatic system
The resource packet, which sells for $250, and supplements calcium and potassium
is available through: ions at the same time. The only other sup- J
ames Rakocy,
plemental nutrient required is iron, which
S & S Aqua Farm PhD, and asso-
is added in a chelated form once every
[Contact: Paula Speraneo]
ciates at the
three weeks.
8386 County Rd. 8820
University of the
West Plains, MO 65775 Tilapia are stocked at a rate of 77 fish per
Virgin Islands (UVI)
417-256-5124 cubic meter for Nile tilapia, or 154 fish per
developed a com-
[email protected] cubic meter for red tilapia and cultured for
www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/index.html 24 weeks. The production schedule is stag- mercial-scale aqua-
gered so that one tank is harvested every ponic system that
Especially see:
six weeks. After harvest, the fish tank is has run continu-
Maturing Marvel immediately restocked. The fish are fed
ously for more than
by Vern Modeland three times daily with a complete, floating
five years.
The Growing Edge, May-June 1998 fish pellet at 32 percent protein. Projected
www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/0905ssaf.pdf annual fish production is 4.16 metric tons
for Nile tilapia and 4.78 metric tons for
The Genius of Simplicity
red tilapia.
by John Wesely Smith
The Growing Edge, Winter 1993-94 In one notable experiment the UVI
www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/0502ssaf.pdf researchers compared the yields of a leafy
herb (basil) and a fruiting vegetable (okra)
Bioponics—Revolution in Food Grow-
grown in aquaponic vs field production sys-
ing: Missouri Aquafarmer Discovers
tems. Basil and okra were raised in raft
Huge Benefits in Trace Elements
hydroponics. Yields of aquaponic basil
by David Yarrow
were three times greater than field-grown,
Remineralize the Earth, December 1997
while yields of aquaponic okra were 18
www.championtrees.org/topsoil/
times greater than field-grown. Based on
bioponics.htm
a market price in the U.S. Virgin Islands
of $22 per kg for fresh basil with stems,
The University of the Virgin
researchers calculated gross income poten-
Islands System
tial. The aquaponic method would result in
James Rakocy, PhD, and associates at the $515 per cubic meter per year or $110,210
University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) devel- per system per year. This compares to field-
oped a commercial-scale aquaponic system produced basil at $172 per cubic meter
that has run continuously for more than five per year or $36,808 per year for the same
years. Nile and red tilapia are raised in fish production area. When fish sales
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 7
are included, the aquaponic system ista6web/pdf/676.pdf
yields $134,245. (1) PowerPoint presentation; 49 pages
http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/ista6/
Like McMurtry, researcher Rakocy sees
ista6web/presentation/p676.pdf
integrated water reuse systems as a viable
solution to sustainable food production in Aquaponics: Integrated Technology
developing countries and arid regions— for Fish and Vegetable Production in
such as the Caribbean Islands—where fresh Recirculating Systems
water is scarce. James Rakocy, University of the Virgin
Islands
To provide in-depth technical support, the
USDA Ministerial Conference and Expo on
UVI research team offers a week-long short
Agricultural Science and Technology
course on aquaponics each year at the UVI
PowerPoint presentation; 69 slides
agricultural experiment station. The UVI
http://ffas.usda.gov/icd/stconf/session2/
short course is the premier educational
session%202d/02-rakocy_j-2D%202nd_
training program available to farmers in the
files/frame.htm
world. In addition to aquaponics, UVI spe-
cializes in greenwater tank culture, a recir-
Like culating aquaculture system. The Freshwater Institute System
McMurtry, The Freshwater Institute in Shepherdstown,
Rakocy has published extensive research
researcher West Virginia—a program of The Conser-
reports and several Extension Service bul-
Rakocy sees inte- letins on recirculating aquaculture and vation Fund, an environmental non-profit
organization—specializes in aquaculture
grated water reuse aquaponics. See the Bibliography in the
research and education. Fresh spring water
systems as a viable appendix for citations to articles and papers
is an abundant resource in the Appala-
by Rackocy.
solution to sustain-
chian region. However, protection of spring
able food produc- Contact: water quality as it relates to aquaculture
tion in develop- effluent is viewed as a vital component of
James Rakocy, PhD
ing countries and University of the Virgin Islands this technology.
arid regions—such Agriculture Experiment Station
For years, the institute has specialized in
as the Caribbean RR 1, Box 10,000 cold-water recirculating aquaculture systems
Kingshill, St. Croix
Islands—where raising trout and arctic char. The institute
U.S. Virgin Islands 00850-9781
fresh water is scarce. helps Appalachian farmers set up two types
340-692-4020
of aquaculture systems: (a) an indoor, high-
[email protected]
tech recirculating tank method and (b) an
http://rps.uvi.edu/AES/Aquaculture/
outdoor, low-tech recirculating tank method.
aqua.html
Treatment of aquaculture effluent prior to
http://rps.uvi.edu/AES/Aquaculture/
its return to the natural stream flow led
aquaponics.html
to collaborative research with USDA-ARS
Especially see: scientists in Kearneysville, West Virginia,
on integrated hydroponic-fish culture
Update on Tilapia and Vegetable Pro-
systems. Trials at the institute’s green-
duction in the UVI Aquaponic System
houses showed that nitrogen, phosphorus,
James E. Rakocy, Donald S. Bailey, R.
and other nutrients in aquaculture efflu-
Charlie Shultz and Eric S. Thoman page
ent can be effectively removed by plants
676-690. In: New Dimensions on Farmed
grown in NFT hydroponics or constructed
Tilapia: Proceedings of the Sixth Inter-
wetland systems.
national Symposium on Tilapia in Aqua-
culture, Held September 12-16, 2004 in In the mid-1990s, the institute implemented
Manila, Philippines. an aquaponic demonstration program based
Proceedings paper: 15 pages on a Sperraneo-style gravel-cultured sys-
http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/ista/ista6/ tem. Tilapia is raised as a warm-water fish
Page 8 ATTRA AAqquuaappoonniiccss——IInntteeggrraattiioonn ooff HHyyddrrooppoonniiccss wwiitthh AAqquuaaccuullttuurree
species. Hydroponic crops include basil, Cabbage Hill Farm designed and continues
lettuce, and wetland plants. to operate a simple recirculating aquaponic
system. Cabbage Hill Farm promotes edu-
To provide technical assistance to farmers
cation on aquaponics and hosts greenhouse
and high school biology teachers, the insti-
interns. Tours are available.
tute published a series of publications on
recirculating aquaculture and aquaponics.
Tilapia fish and leaf lettuce are the main
The Freshwater Institute Natural Gas Pow-
products of the Cabbage Hill Farm system,
ered Aquaponic System—Design Manual is a
though basil and watercress are also grown
37-page manual published by the institute
in smaller quantities. In addition to hydro-
in 1997. Included are diagrams and pho-
ponics, water passes through a constructed
tos, details on greenhouse layout and aqua-
reed bed outside the greenhouse for addi-
ponic production, parts list with suppliers
tional nutrient removal.
and cost, estimated operating expense, and
further informational resources. Aquaponics—Preserving the Future is a video
film documenting the research and dem-
Please note the institute no longer pro-
onstration of aquaponics at Cabbage Hill
vides direct technical assistance to farm-
C
Farms. The cost is $18. abbage Hill
ers on aquaponics. Instead, it has made
the aquaponics design manual and related Farm pro-
Cabbage Hill Farm
publications on recirculating aquaculture motes edu-
205 Crow Hill Road
and aquaponics available as free cation on aqua-
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Web downloads.
914-241-2658 ponics and hosts
The Freshwater Institute 914-241-8264 FAX greenhouse interns.
Shepherdstown, WV www.cabbagehillfarm.org
www.freshwaterinstitute.org
The New Alchemy Institute
Selected Web Publications from The
Freshwater Institute The New Alchemy Institute in East Fal-
mouth, Massachusetts, conducted research
• Suggested Management Guidelines
on integrated aquaculture systems during
for An Integrated Recycle Aquacul-
the 1970s and 1980s. Although the insti-
ture – Hydroponic System
tute closed in 1991, New Alchemy pub-
• The Freshwater Institute Natural
lications on greenhouse production and
Gas Powered Aquaponic System -
aquaponics provide historical insight to
Design Manual
the emerging bioshelter (ecosystem green-
• 880 Gallon Recycle Aquaculture
houses) concept and are still a valuable
System Installation Guide
resource for technical information. The
• Linking Hydroponics to a 880 Gal- Green Center, formed by a group of for-
lon Recycle Fish Rearing System mer New Alchemists, is again making these
• Operators Manual for 880 - Recycle publications available for sale. The Web
System site has a section featuring for-sale articles
on aquaculture and bioshelters (integrated
The Cabbage Hill Farm System systems). A selection of past articles is
available online.
Cabbage Hill Farm is a non-profit organi-
zation located about 30 miles north of New
Contact:
York City. The foundation is dedicated
to the preservation of rare breeds of farm The Green Center
animals, sustainable agriculture and 237 Hatchville Rd.
local food systems, and aquaponic East Falmouth, MA 02536
greenhouse production. www.vsb.cape.com/~nature/greencenter/
www.attra.ncat.org ATTRA Page 9
Backyard Aquaponics
in Western Australia.
Photos by Joel Malcolm,
Backyard Aquaponics.
(with permission)
www.backyard
aquaponics.com
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