Aquaponics in Washington, DCanacostiaaquaponics.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rooting-DC-2019.pdf · The UDC aquaponic greenhouses also feature auxiliary systems for Solid Waste

Aquaponics in Washington, DC

February, 2018

Brian FilipowichDirector, Anacostia AquaponicsChairman, Aquaponics Association

Part I – Putting Aquaponics in Perspective1 – What is aquaponics?2 – What are the benefits of aquaponics?3 – What’s the status of aquaponics in the world today?4 – What’s the status of aquaponics in Washington, DC?

Part II – Growing with Aquaponics5 – The basic elements of an aquaponic system6 – The easiest way to start7– Starting up

1 – What is aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a method of growing fish and plants in a recirculating, soil-less system that mimics the natural biological cycle.

“Hydroponics” growing plants in water

“Aquaculture” raising aquatic animals

“Aquaponics”

+

“Lucky Clay’s Fresh”Commercial aquaponic farm in NC

The Aquaponics Cycle

Fish eat and produce waste

Plants filter the water for the fish

Bacteria convert fish waste into a form plants can absorb


The ORIGINAL AquaponicsThe most well-known examples are the “stationary islands” set up in shallow lakes in central America (e.g., Aztec’s Chinampas 1150–1350 BC), and the introduction of fish into paddy rice fields in South-East Asia about 1500 years ago.


Industrial agriculture “damages the soil, water, and even the climate on an unprecedented scale. Intensive monoculture depletes soil and leaves it vulnerable to erosion. Chemical fertilizer runoff and CAFO wastes add to global warming emissions and create oxygen-deprived ‘dead zones’ at the mouths of major waterways. Herbicides and insecticides harm wildlife and can pose human health risks as well. Biodiversity in and near monoculture fields takes a hit, as populations of birds and beneficial insects decline. (Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fish is one of the most efficient animal protein producers, with a food conversion ratio between 1 and 2. Since fish demand is increasing whilst the fishing grounds are overexploited, aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of world food production. (Goddek et al, 2015)

Eighty percent of the world’s oceans are fully- or over-exploited, depleted or in a state of collapse. One hundred million tons of fish are consumed worldwide each year, providing 2.5 billion people with at least 20% of their average per capita animal proteinintake. (Somerville et al, 2014)

Increasing global population coupled with increased per capita seafood consumption result in constant, growing demand for seafood. According to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, With capture fisheries production stagnating, majorincreases in fish food production are forecast to come from aquaculture. Taking into account the population forecast, an additional 27 million tons of production will be needed to maintain the present level of per capita [seafood] consumption in 2030...

…Aquaculture is one of the most resource-efficient ways to produce protein. (NOAA)

2 – What are the benefits of aquaponics?

• Less water use - Aquaponic systems use over 90% less water than traditional agriculture per pound of produce.

• Local economic growth - Aquaponics can be performed from cities to deserts, offering jobs and local economic growth anywhere.

• No antibiotics - Aquaponic systems are naturally incompatible with antibiotics; growers rely on a diverse microbial ecosystem for natural disease suppression.

Fully-automated aquaponic trailer with goldfish from Nov 2017 Aquaponics Conference in Portland, OR


• Less food miles - Aquaponics can deliver fresh produce in any environment which will reduce carbon use, food spoilage, and nutrient depletion.

• Better food safety - Controlled-environment greenhouses minimize the risk of outdoor contamination hazards that cause most outbreaks.

• No toxic runoff - Aquaponic systems are closed-loop and do not emit the harmful agricultural runoff that causes aquatic dead-zones.

Morning Star Fishermen, Florida


• No synthetic chemicals - Aquaponic systems are naturally incompatible with synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

• Less land-use and soil erosion - Aquaponics can be practiced anywhere, and plants can yield over 150% more produce than traditional agriculture per grow area.

• Protein!

UDC Hydroponic A-frame at PR Harris Campus

3 – What’s the status of aquaponics in the world today?

Aquaponics is not yet commercially mainstream, a few reasons:

• Lack of technical expertise, industry standards.

• Difficult to profit from fish and plants from a business perspective. Food safety regulations can be difficult.

• High upfront costs are required to construct and operate an efficient, large-scale aquaponic system.

• Many folks underestimate the difficulty of properly designing and operating a system, most growers find a long, steep (yet rewarding!) learning curve.

• We don’t use true cost accounting, so there are no market forces to allow efficient growers to capitalize on their efficiency


From the USDA 1/25/18:"Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations, and has been since the National Organic Program began. For these products to be labeled as organic, the operation must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and maintain compliance with the USDA organic regulations.


“Live Local Organic”,A certified organic Aquaponic basil production facility in a Portland, OR warehouse

http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwMTI1Ljg0Mjk3NjMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDEyNS44NDI5NzYzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3OTM1MDEwJmVtYWlsaWQ9YnJpYW4uZmlsaXBvd2ljaEBnbWFpbC5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWJyaWFuLmZpbGlwb3dpY2hAZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&101&&&https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/organic-certifying-agents

http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwMTI1Ljg0Mjk3NjMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDEyNS44NDI5NzYzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3OTM1MDEwJmVtYWlsaWQ9YnJpYW4uZmlsaXBvd2ljaEBnbWFpbC5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWJyaWFuLmZpbGlwb3dpY2hAZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&102&&&https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic

18,000 heads of lettuce per day99.9% water re-use


Wisconsin2+ acre greenhouse


Superior Fresh’s statements about its fish:


Lucky Clay’s Fresh Aquaponics Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=178&v=Ud-tF9fCXFk

As of 2015, “40,000 pounds of fish, 480,000

units of produce and 10,000 pounds of shrimp

annually.

2020: We will have completed the final

touches on our second phase of our

Commercial Expansion. The second phase of

expansion has the potential of doubling our

production to 80,000 pounds of fish, 960,000

units of produce and 20,000 pounds of shrimp

annually.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=178&v=Ud-tF9fCXFk

Trifecta Ecosystems in Meriden, CT

Aquaponics in an old manufacturing building that made ball bearings for World War ONE!

The aquaponics system can grow a range of leafy greens,

herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers.

In late 2013 aquaponics consultant Paul Van der Werf,

from Queensland's Earthan Group, was invited to the UAE

to build one of the world's biggest aquaponics systems.

The farm, now completed, consists of a 4,500 square

metre shed which produces around 40 tonnes of tilapia.

There is sand as far as the eye can see and daily

temperatures soar to about 50 degrees.

On the face of it, is is probably not the ideal spot to

establish a fish and vegetable farm.



Togo, West Africa

Philanthropic organizations construct and train impoverished communities to grow with aquaponics.



Aquaponics is starting to play a large role in STEM education

NASA believes that aquaponics or similar technologies may be key to feeding long-distance human space exploration.

A current study is underway by NASA of the microbiology of aquaponic systems across the country.

**Matt Damon Poop Potatoes


Aquaponics Fighting HungerThe Mississauga Food Bank in Canada uses aquaponics to feed the community

4 – What’s the status of aquaponics in Washington, DC?

PR Harris Campus

Firebird Farm

Van Ness Campus

Bertie Backus Campus

East Cap Urban Farm

East Cap Urban Farm

The UDC aquaponic greenhouses also feature auxiliary systems for Solid Waste Capture, Water Heating / Cooling, Electricity, and Automatic Water Makeup.


Tavon and Bill working on the Drum Filter at the Bertie Backus Aquaponic System

I think* the UDC Van Ness aquaponic system has been consistently growing large amounts of crops with fish waste providing 100% of the nutrients for about 9 months. This included many healthy tomato plants.

***Latest news is that UDC is doing significant modifications to the food hub aquaponic systems.


Scott’s backyard system in NE DC!!!Using rainwater!We had a backyard aquaponic fish fry!

One day of Scott’s summer harvest


Experimental backyard system across from Ballou


Houston Elementary(no longer operational I don’t think)

J.O. Wilson(no longer operational)

IDEA PCS – doing OK

Aquaponics in DC schools


Silver Spring, MD


Pretty unsuccessful rooftop experimental systems this year on H St NE rooftop

“Urban farming company Kappa Farms will invest $865,000 and hire 21 peopleto open an aquaponics operation in Sterling.” (VA)

“According to the office of Governor Terry McAuliffe, the company will build a closed-loop nutrient cycle aquaponics facility which will produce certified organic baby lettuces and arugula using water and nutrients derived from fish waste. The company will produce more than $7 million worth Virginia-grown lettuces over the next three years, which it will then sell to customers and restaurants in the Washington, DC, metro area.”

Oct 2017


The Basic Elements of an Aquaponics System

1. At least one fish tank2. At least one plant trough3. Bacterial “biofilter”4. Water5. Oxygenation6. A water pump7. Plumbing to pipe it all together

5 – The basic elements of an aquaponic system

**Part 2 – Growing with Aquaponics**

Water

key water quality parameters are:• dissolved oxygen > 5ppm• pH b/w 5.0 – 8.5 – key is stability, 7.0 optimal but its complicated

to adjust it• Temperature – depends on fish, stability is key • total nitrogen – Ammonia + Nitrite near 0

Each parameter has an impact on all three organisms in the unit (fish, plants and bacteria), and understanding the effects of each parameter is crucial. (Somerville et al, 2014)


The Fish

• Tilapia, Catfish, Blue Gill, Goldfish, Trout, Koi, and other fish have all been grown successfully with aquaponics.

• Enough fish need to be stocked in the system to adequately feed the plants.

• Generally, the fish food is the only nutritional input for the plants of a system. Many large commercial systems will supplement for specific nutrients depending on factors such as crops grown and water pH.

• Fish should be observed to make sure they are healthy. If they are gulping for air or sluggish it could be a clue to poor conditions that need to be addressed.


The PlantsThree common hydroponic methods to raise plants in an aquaponics system:

Media Bed Nutrient Film Technique Deep Water Culture / Raft

Plants are grown on floating rafts with roots submerged in the water below

Plants are grown in long narrow channels with a thin film of water running inside.

Plants are grown in containers with media such as gravel or clay pellets to support the roots.

Or Vertical towers


• No matter which system is used, an aquaponics grower will need to propagate seedlings and keep enough plants in the system to ensure the water is filtered for the fish.

• Just like in soil, plants need to be observed periodically for proper growth.

• Leafy greens and herbs are the easiest crops to grow in aquaponics. Fruiting crops like tomatoes and cucumbers also grow well but require a system with more fish for adequate nutrition.

The Plants


Bacteria / The BiofilterEvery aquaponics system requires a minimum amountOf surface area for bacteria to colonize and convert fish wasteInto a form the plants can absorb

1. A major component of fish waste is Ammonia

2. Nitrosomona bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites

3. Nitrospira bacteria convert Nitrites to Nitrates, which the plants need for growth

NH4+

NH2-

NH3-

Lots of Surface

Area!?!?!


Aquaponic Systems Utilize the Soil Food Web to Grow Healthy Crops

Summary of Research1. Where does the soil food web live in a bioponic system?• Microbes aggregate on all surfaces within a bioponic system and suspended in the water column.• Roots are a hotspot of microbial activity in both bioponic systems and in soil.• Micro niches within the systems provide bacteria with ideal conditions for growth.• Different system components provide unique environments and host varying microbialcommunities.

2. How big and diverse is the soil food web in a bioponic system?• Bioponic systems have been found to host a comparable quantity and diversity of microorganismsto soil, if not greater.

• The USDA’s Hydroponic and Aquaponic Task Force case study of hydroponic tomatoes foundthatthe number of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes in the system was above expected levelsto be found in a typical organic soil.

3. What does the soil food web do in a bioponic system?• Soil Food Web microorganisms break down solids and make macro- and micro-nutrients moreavailable to plants.• Soil Food Web microorganisms provide biocontrol and disease-suppression, improving overallplant health and quality.• Bacteria inhabiting the rhizosphere of plant roots improve cell processes with the plant tissue.• Studies have found that crop spoilage and fecal microorganisms are less prevalent in bioponicsystems compared soil


System DesignAn aquaponic system must have a balance fish, plants, and bacteria.

Here are examples of a few of the aquaponics rules of thumb for beginners• 1lb fish per 5 to 10 gallons of fish tank water

• For a media bed system, 1:1 fish tank to growbed volume. Floating raft, higher growbed volume relative to fishtanks

• The water in the system should circulate at least once per hour

• The feed rate ratio for leafy vegetables is 20–50 g/m2 /day; fruiting vegetables require 50–80 g/m2 /day (these estimates are old and a bit high)

• Fish eat between 1 to 2% of their total body weight per day

• Between 20 and 25 leafy green plants can be grown per meter2, about 4 fruiting plants can be grown per meter2

• Biofilter minimum, 2.5 ft2 / gallon of water for a low stocked system• SSA – Specific Surface Area – meter squared of surface area per meter cubed of volume

(Figures from the U.N. FAO “Aquaponics Quick Reference Handout”, 2014)


The Easiest Aquaponics System for BeginnersAquaponic systems come in a dramatic range of sizes and configurations, from multi-acre industrial facilities

to table top fish bowls that grow one sprig of parsley. But the most basic system is a media grow bed

stacked on top of a fish tank.

6 – The easiest way to start

Only Two Water-Proof TroughsThis system only requires two water-proof troughs: one fish tank and one media bed. The plumbing is simple,

because all you need is one pump to lift the water from the fish tank to the grow bed, and one drain from the

grow bed back down to the fish tank. And because the troughs are stacked, this system takes up less space

and only needs one support structure. Many aquaponics systems include multiple fish tanks and grow troughs

which add more plumbing, more space, and more complication.


“Chop n’ Flip” IBC Tote System

The Media Bed Serves as a Solids Filter and a Biofilter

The media will hold onto fish solids that get

pumped up from the fish tank. Inside the media

bed this solid waste will have access to enough

oxygen to break down and mineralize, releasing

nutrients from the fish waste to the plants.

(Conversely, DWC and NFT systems require a

separate solids filter to address the solid fish

waste.)

In addition to solids filtration, an aquaponic system

also needs a biofilter to house the bacteria that

convert the ammonia from the fish into nitrates for

the plants. A biofilter is a fancy name for

something with a lot of surface area for bacteria to

colonize. The pebbles, balls, or stones of a media

bed have enough surface area to serve as the

biofilter. (Conversely, DWC and NFT systems

require a separate biofilter. The additional solids

filter and biofilter for DWC and NFT systems

represent two more pieces of hardware, more

space, and more plumbing.)


Red Wiggler worms to improve microbiology and nutrient cycling!

Aquaponics System “Cycling” – Starting Up a SystemSystem cycling is the initial process of building a nitrifying bacteria colony in a new aquaponic unit.

Methods:• Add ammonia and wait• Buy solution with bacteria• Borrow someone else’s biofilter!

7 – Starting up

7 – Starting upWatch for Chlorine and Chloramine, these will inhibit your biofilter

But a chlorine remover from the fish section of pet stores

[email protected]

If you are interested in aquaponics, I recommend starting small (less than 100 gallons) and proving you can operate a basic system for a few months before you make large investments or plans for a bigger system.

Documents

Aquaponics in Washington, DCanacostiaaquaponics.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rooting-DC-2019.pdf · The UDC aquaponic greenhouses also feature auxiliary systems for Solid Waste