In addition to being able to consult on rooftop gardens, container gardens, and raising urban chickens, we specialize in aquaponics systems big and small. In addition to designing and building systems we have worked very closely with a leader in educational program development, the Center for Educational Pathways, to develop a school based curriculum to accompany the following models.
While there are a variety of options when creating a system the basic idea behind Aquaponics remains the same. A system is a closed loop. The fish waste feeds the plants, the grow medium and root system clean the water before returning it to the fish. Designing, building and maintaining a system is simple yet complex.
All system designs have a number of options, systems can range from micro to large, indoor to outdoor, built for home or institution. Design ideas incorporating horizontal or vertical builds, types of fish, types of plants to grow, as well as basic maintenance. Below are some basic builds that can be further adapted to any situation and need.
Small Outdoor System:
This is the perfect size for a family. After an assessment of the space and determination of the type of grow space best for you all materials are acquired and a build takes place.
This sized build is based on a 300 gallon tank and 20-30 units of grow space. Over a summer this sized system can produce 60-80 pounds of fish and over 100 units of vegetables.
Small Indoor System:
Perfect for a family for year round sustainable growth. This system utilizes grow lights as well as a 200 gallon tank and 20-30 units of grow space. If desired a breeding system can be integrated to insure the sustainability of the project.
This sized system can produce 150+ units of vegetables a year and 60+ pounds of fish.
Small Sustainable Indoor/Outdoor System:
This system has both an indoor and outdoor system which allows for maximum sustainable production.
This system includes both an Indoor and Outdoor system as well as an additional 40 gallon aquarium for newly hatched fry.
Whether this is for a school, church, non profit or any other institution these models build on the smaller systems to achieve larger goals.
Small Institutional System:
This is the same as a small indoor/outdoor home system but also includes a comprehensive year long curriculum developed in conjunction with the Center for Educational Pathways. This customized system is perfect for a project based learning experience for young people.
Large Institutional System:
This is a large scale custom designed and built system for an institution such as a school or multiple schools in a system. This is also ideal as a micro-business and public health intervention.
Stage 1 is the introduction of an operable small indoor system to your school. At the same time the curriculum is introduced and basic principals are explored.
Stage 2 based on the principles learned and guided by the curriculum groups of students engage in a science fair where they demonstrate their own designs.
Stage 3 a design is chosen and a large scale build takes place at the school in an outdoor environment.
Stage 4 this system becomes operable, supplying thousands of units of vegetables/herbs and hundreds of pounds of fish. There is enough food supplied to supplement students in school lunches
Stage 5 through partnerships with local foundations and public health providers, students who have completed the year long curriculum become eligible for a small outdoor home system.
Stage 6 the large school system provides summer jobs for a couple of students but also provides enough food to operate as a CSA (community supported agriculture).
This system is not only sustainable but pays for itself.