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.

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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

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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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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

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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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

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.

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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