Fresh Water Aquaponic Research
We finished building the fresh water system in late 2007. It consisted of some equipment, like our filter, that we designed and had built especially for our system.
The system uses Floating Raft Technique or Deep Channel Technique for the growing section. We do this because it is a good environment for growing crops that are turned over regularly. This makes it ideal for commercial systems in our opinion.
We test the water every day. We use laboratory quality testing equipment to ensure accuracy. Our system performed as expected with regard to nitrification.
We also check temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids and salinity.
Finally we check the plants each day. We have planted a wide range of plant in order to see what grows best in our system. This will allow us to better advise our commercial clients.
Unlike gravel flood and drain system we do have a small amount of effluent that must be removed from the system. It is generated by the Swirl Filter. We are working with 'The Worm Man' to send this effluent to a worm system that we can incorporate in our commercial modeling.
Only two weeks and a half weeks after the first lot of plants went in, under Kerri's careful husbandry, we have wonderful growth. Have a look at the root growth in a seedling that was put in only two weeks ago!
By mid-2008 we had learnt a lot from our research system. We have experimented with different seeding techniques and methods for cleaning. We have used our information to refine our commercial system.
Initially we had a problem growing under artificial light. But I think we have resolved that now :-)
We continue to do our experiments and improve our systems.
Last Modified: Friday, 04-Jul-2008 16:43:37 EST
