1 Main Operating Considerations

Aquaponics 1 Main operating considerations Here we should look at the theory that underlies aquaponics, and then saee which of these can be fine- tunes or improved

1.1 Water chemistry

1.1.1 Ideal operating conditions

1.1.2 Maintenance

1.1.3 Chemicals used

Chemicals to advise

Chemicals to avoid

1.2 Cycling patterns How do you move the water around in the system. Any reasons for your decision?

1.2.1 Always on

1.2.2 Timed pump

1.3 Pest control How do you deal with your unwelcome visitors

1.3.1 biological

1.3.2 chemical 2 Types of aquaponic production systems

2.1 Commercial

2.1.1 Growing power type systems Any type of aquaponic operation that adds soil, fertilizer (not worm castings) on a large scale, or run their fish stocking densities way above typical aquaponic consensus stocking densities

2.1.2 DWC with pre-filtration

2.1.3 DWC with media beds as main filtration method

2.1.4 Media bed as main culture method

Experiences with different media types

Media to avoid Recommended media

2.1.5 NFT with pre-filtration

2.1.6 Combination designs (mixed or hybrid)

2.1.7 Dedicated vertical growing systems with or without pre-filtration

2.2 Home or training use

2.2.1 Growing power type systems Any type of aquaponic operation that adds soil, fertilizer (not worm castings) on a large scale, or run their fish stocking densities way above typical aquaponic consensus stocking densities

2.2.2 Media bed as main culture method

Experiences with different media types

Media to avoid

Recommended media

2.2.3 Mini aquaponics, also referred to as aquarium aquaponics

2.2.4 Dedicated vertical growing systems with or without pre-filtration

2.2.5 Combination designs (mixed or hybrid)

2.2.6 NFT with pre-filtration

2.2.7 DWC with media beds as main filtration method

2.2.8 DWC with pre-filtration

2.3 Dedicated Research and Development units The idea here is to collate all the research publications that has been produced from these facilities in order to draw reference to them whenever needed.

2.3.1 UVI

2.3.2 Alberta 3 Operating environments

3.1 Indoor defined here as a system that is housed inside a building that requires artificial lighting, such as a warehouse, a basement or any room inside a house or building that does not allow the use of natural lighting. 3.2 Outdoor

3.2.1 Outdoor and open

3.2.2 Outdoor but housed in a protective structure 4 Culture species The idea here, apart from the branching discussions, is to build up a detailed reference base of the species that can / have been cultured and their specific needs / yields / management issues

4.1 Fish

4.1.1 Dedicated culture list Here we can pull in the detailed knowledge of the species housed on sites such as FishBase

4.2 Invertebrates

4.2.1 Aquatic invertebrates

4.2.2 Terrestrial invertebrates

4.3 Plants

4.3.1 detailed production data from research papers

4.3.2 Data yielded (or anecdotal) from member systems Here we can add our own success stories. What do you culture that you learnt to manage through your own research or trial and error. What are the growing conditions?

4.3.3 Dedicated culture list Here we can collect all the data on commonly frown species, their culture requirements, specific management requirements and types of yields reported on the site. 5 System construction

5.1 DIY The idea here is to describe home building options, materials, designs etc.

5.2 Kits The idea here is to have some discussion around kit options that are available, and some critical assessment of people's experiences without being either a blatant advertisement or undue slagging of a product.

5.3 Materials What to use and where to get it. Also what not to use and why

5.4 Design recommendations Here people that have constructed a specific type of system can share insights. 6 Hardware options

6.1 Water pumps

6.1.1 External mount

6.1.2 Internal mount

6.1.3 12V

6.1.4 Critical review of various size system needs

6.2 Aeration The idea here is for experts on the topic (not me) to expand further

6.2.1 Critical review of various size system needs

6.2.2 Vortex (regenerative) blowers

6.2.3 diaphragm air pumps

6.3 Specialist hardware Do you use any specialized hardware? Can you supply info as to why, what the benefits are etc.

6.3.1 UV sterilization

6.3.2 Pure oxygen

6.3.3 Ozone

6.3.4 CO2 addition

6.3.5 Add-o-mizer

6.4 Heating The idea here is to populate the discussion with the things you do to heat water - what components did you use, where did you get it, what are the running costs, pro's, con's etc.

6.4.1 Electrical

6.4.2 Solar

6.4.3 Other earth processes Something like using pumps running through fertilizer or similar processes to heat water with natural processes other than those mentioned 6.4.4 Geothermal

6.4.5 Gas

6.4.6 Incinerator (solid fuel)

6.5 Lighting perhaps the best thing here is simply to have a direct link with the specialist lighting group in order to avoid duplication

6.6 Air circulation

6.6.1 Indoor system needs

6.6.2 Greenhouse system needs 7 Foods and additives What do you add to the system to feed your fish and plants. If you use any additive, is there a specific fish, plant or operating environment that requires these?

7.1 Fish food Any preferred brands?

7.1.1 Omnivorous fish

7.1.2 Herbivorous fish

7.1.3 Carnivorous fish

7.1.4 Towards supplementing fish dietary needs What do you use to supplement or replace commercial fish feeds

Feeder fish

Duckweed

Algae as an Omega 3 source

Insect cultures

Veggie scraps

7.2 Plant nutrient additives What do you add, how often do you do it, and what are the specific reasoning / shortages that you are catering for.