EPS@ISEP | The European Project Semester (EPS) at ISEP

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report [2014/06/29 18:17] – [1.1. Presentation] team5report [2014/06/29 18:43] (current) – [2.2. Functioning] team5
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 ==== 2.1. Introduction ==== ==== 2.1. Introduction ====
-Aquaponics is based on productive systems that can be found in nature. It can be described as the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics and this is where the name comes from: Aqua-ponics.+Aquaponics is based on productive systems that can be found in nature. It can be described as the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics and this is where the name comes from: Aqua-ponics [1].
  
-Hydroponic systems rely on the use of nutrients made by humans for optimum growth of plants. Nutrients are manufactured from a blend of chemicals, mineral salts and trace elements to form the 'perfect' balance. Water in hydroponic systems must be discharged periodically, so that the salts and chemicals do not accumulate in the water which could become very toxic to plants. +Hydroponic systems rely on the use of nutrients made by humans for optimum growth of plants. Nutrients are manufactured from a blend of chemicals, mineral salts and trace elements to form the 'perfect' balance. Water in hydroponic systems must be discharged periodically, so that the salts and chemicals do not accumulate in the water which could become very toxic to plants.
  
-Aquaculture systems focus on maximizing the growth of fish in ponds. Fish are usually crammed into ponds, it is not uncommon to have a density of 10 kg of fish per 100 l of water. High densities of breeding often mean that water from the reservoir becomes polluted by effluent from fish that produces high concentrations of ammonia. The water must be drained off at a rate of 10-20% of the total volume of the basin, once per day, every day. This water is often rejected directly into the wilderness where it pollutes and destroys natural resources.+Aquaponics combines the two systems in a symbiotic environment. It cancels the negative aspects of each. Instead of adding toxic chemical solutions to cultivate plants, Aquaponics uses highly nutrient effluent from fish that contain virtually all the nutrients needed for optimum growth of plants. Instead of discharging water, Aquaponics uses plants to cleanse and purify the water, after which the water is put back in the aquarium. This water can be re-used but must be topped up at certain stages due to losses from evaporation and plant usage [2].
  
-Aquaponics combines the two systems in a symbiotic environment. It cancels the negative aspects of each. Instead of adding toxic chemical solutions to cultivate plants, Aquaponics uses highly nutrient effluent from fish that contain virtually all the nutrients needed for optimum growth of plants. Instead of discharging water, Aquaponics uses plants to cleanse and purify the water, after which the water is put back in the aquarium. This water can be re-used but must be topped up at certain stages due to losses from evaporation and plant usage. 
  
 ==== 2.2. Functioning ==== ==== 2.2. Functioning ====
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 <figure flabel1> <figure flabel1>
 {{ :cycle-azote-aquaponie.jpg |}} {{ :cycle-azote-aquaponie.jpg |}}
-<caption>Nitrogen cycle</caption>+<caption>The nitrogen cycle in an aquaponics system [3]</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
    
-=== 2.2.2 Aquaponics System ===+=== 2.2.2 Aquaponics System [52]===
 It is in fact  a near Self Sustaining Ecosystem which requires minimal input and includes live bodies within an ecological cycle. It is in fact  a near Self Sustaining Ecosystem which requires minimal input and includes live bodies within an ecological cycle.
  * Fish are fed and then produce excrement rich in nitrogen (ammonia NH3 and urea), phosphor and potassium. This excrement is the source of nutrients for the plants. Food given to the fish is put back into the water in the form of fertilizer (excrement) but the ammonia is toxic for the fish. We must filter the water to reduce/rid of the ammonia so the fish will survive.  * Fish are fed and then produce excrement rich in nitrogen (ammonia NH3 and urea), phosphor and potassium. This excrement is the source of nutrients for the plants. Food given to the fish is put back into the water in the form of fertilizer (excrement) but the ammonia is toxic for the fish. We must filter the water to reduce/rid of the ammonia so the fish will survive.
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 <figure flabel2> <figure flabel2>
 {{:sistema_acuaponia_en.jpg?500|}} {{:sistema_acuaponia_en.jpg?500|}}
-<caption>Aquaponics system</caption>+<caption>Simple functioning example of an aquaponics system [4]</caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-==== 2.3. Components ====+==== 2.3. Components [57] ====
 There are basic components that every Aquaponics system will need, regardless of the type of Aquaponics system we set up. There can be some variation in what we actually use for each component, usually dependant on how much money we want to spend. we will need the following for an Aquaponics set-up. There are basic components that every Aquaponics system will need, regardless of the type of Aquaponics system we set up. There can be some variation in what we actually use for each component, usually dependant on how much money we want to spend. we will need the following for an Aquaponics set-up.
  
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 These are the basic components we will need when we set up our Aquaponics system but what we end up using depends on the type of system we decide on. It is advised to start small so we can learn the art and science of Aquaponics before investing too much time and money. As we gain experience, we can add more tanks and grow the size of our Aquaponics garden and move up to miniature farms. These are the basic components we will need when we set up our Aquaponics system but what we end up using depends on the type of system we decide on. It is advised to start small so we can learn the art and science of Aquaponics before investing too much time and money. As we gain experience, we can add more tanks and grow the size of our Aquaponics garden and move up to miniature farms.
-==== 2.4. Different type of culture system  ====+==== 2.4. Different type of culture system [58] ====
 There are three basic styles of Aquaponic systems. Each system have some advantages and disadvantages and may be preferred depending on the type of culture we choose.  There are three basic styles of Aquaponic systems. Each system have some advantages and disadvantages and may be preferred depending on the type of culture we choose. 
    
 === 2.4.1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) ===  === 2.4.1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) === 
-{{ :nft-aquaponie.jpg?300|}} 
 The NFT is a method commonly used in Hydroponics, but is not as common in Aquaponic systems. In systems NFT, nutrient-rich water is pumped into small enclosed gutters, the water flows in a very thin film down the gutter. Plants are placed in small plastic cups enabling their access to water and roots to absorb nutrients. The NFT is not really suitable for all types of plants, usually this will be booked to the leafy green vegetables, large plants have root systems that are too large and invasive or they become too heavy for the gutters. The NFT is a method commonly used in Hydroponics, but is not as common in Aquaponic systems. In systems NFT, nutrient-rich water is pumped into small enclosed gutters, the water flows in a very thin film down the gutter. Plants are placed in small plastic cups enabling their access to water and roots to absorb nutrients. The NFT is not really suitable for all types of plants, usually this will be booked to the leafy green vegetables, large plants have root systems that are too large and invasive or they become too heavy for the gutters.
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +<figure flabel3>
 +{{:nft-aquaponie.jpg?|}}
 +<caption>Example of a NFT culture system [5]</caption>
 +</figure>
 +</WRAP>
  
 === 2.4.2. Deep Water Culture (DWC) === === 2.4.2. Deep Water Culture (DWC) ===

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