Aquaponics by AHAS
The Aquaponics process optimized by AHAS
What is aquaponics
Aquaponics combines aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic animals, and hydroponics, which is growing plants without soil. Aquaponics uses these two in a symbiotic combination in which plants are fed the aquatic animals’ discharge or waste. In return, the vegetables clean the water for the fish.
Like in nature, helpful microbial elements play an essential role in the nutrition of plants. These beneficial bacteria convert the fish waste into plant food
The result is a perfect natural ecosystem between aquaculture and gardening. For fish and plants to live and grow in harmony, this ecosystem must remain 100% natural. Therefore, no harmful substances such as pesticides are used
Thanks to Matt Ferrell for this great video summarizing every aspect of Aquaponics.
AHAS has spent 10 years addressing the issues Matt mentions, designing equipment and processes so the Aquaponics balance is perfect, and making Aquaponics accessible to everyone.
AHAponics
AHAponics is the aquaponics process AHAS made easy.
There have been many failures in building aquaponics systems. Like Apple developped a portfolio of equipment and an integrated environment, AHAS has spent years making aquaponics accessible to everyone by designing optimized equipment and processes, so the ecosystems environment is stable and the vegetable production is maximized.
You just need to feed the fish, seed, and care for your fast-growing plants, as per our guidelines.
Growing methods comparison
Aquaponics
Fertilization technique
Natural ecosystem using fish
Optimum growth media
Deep Water Culture (DWC)
Continuous production
Focus and Objective
Maximize quality of fish and vegetables
Produce healthy products
Produce tasty fish and vegetables
Issues
Higher investment required
Advantages
Very low water consumption (5% of farming)
Use of harmful pesticide is not possible
without destroying the ecosystem
Produce both Fish and Vegetable
Product ”certifications” not required to guaranty product quality
Environment friendly
Urban farming possible
Hydroponics
Fertilization technique
Chemical fertilizer in water
Optimum growth media
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Continuous production
Focus and Objective
Maximize growth rate
Issues
Poor thermal stability (small water quantity)
Fertilizer precipitates after a few weeks
Need to replace water regularly
Reject chemical fertilizers in the environment
Use of harmful pesticide is possible
Advantages
Low investment
Urban farming possible
Soil Farming
Fertilization technique
Foliar and soil
Optimum growth media
Soil
Batch production
Focus and Objective
Maximize product weight
Issues
Need large area
High water consumption
Use of harmful pesticide is possible
Reject chemical fertilizers in the environment
Carbon emmisions during transportation to cities
Advantage
Low-cost production technique
The traditional soil farming produces food cheaply but requires transportation to the cities where the food is consumed, requires a large amount of water, and often pollutes the soil and the water we drink. Harmful pesticides are often used.
Hydroponics can be an urban process, but using harmful pesticides is possible, and the plants are frequently grown using chemical fertilizers designed for the plants to grow as fast as possible, often at the detriment of taste and nutrient content.
Like hydroponics, aquaponics produces food continuously, but by process, it can only produce healthy and tasty food. The process is closer to manufacturing than farming, and farms are best located in the cities where the food is consumed. The consumers, therefore, can be confident of the food quality, safety, and freshness.
Sustainability and benefit of Aquaponics
Enhanced food security
Food security means having enough sustainable food for you and your family. This is a grave concern for many families across the globe. Aquaponics can provide a sustainable source of fresh produce and fish protein, especially in areas with poor soil quality or limited access to clean water. By enabling local food production, aquaponics contributes to food security and reduces import dependency.
Waste recycling
The plant and fish wastes are used to make fish food and fertilizers.
Water conservation
Aquaponics uses significantly less water than traditional soil-based agriculture because water is circulated within the system in a closed-loop system. The water is only replenished to compensate for plant growth and perspiration, making it highly water-efficient, especially in regions facing water scarcity. Aquaponics water is never disposed of, unlike hydroponics water.
A 100MIT unit produces 700kg of vegetables on average and holds 80m3 of water. The water addition averages 5% per month, so 4000 liters per month, 5 liters per kg of vegetables produced.
Towers and NFT systems use more water due to a high evaporation rate since the water is in contact with the ambient air. The MIT grow beds are covered with isolating floating rafts so the evaporation is minimal. The main cause of water consumption in the AHAS system is the plants' growth and perspiration.
No chemical inputs
Aquaponic systems use natural processes to break down fish waste into nutrients, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This eliminates chemical runoff into nearby water bodies, leading to healthier ecosystems.
Bad plastic waste
In places where an aquaponics system feeds in-house restaurants, reusable plastic containers are used to store the crops and transport them within the facility. No transportation packaging is required. The amount of plastic entering the building is drastically reduced
AHAS equipment is made of recyclable plastic. There are two types of plastics. Bad plastic is the one we trash every day. Good plastic is the one we use for 25 years, and then recycle.
Pollution
The current vegetable production system is saturated. To cope with the demand, farmers overuse fertilizers and pesticides, polluting the soils and the water we drink.
Productivity
In aquaponic systems, the space allocated for each plant is optimized throughout the growing process, making the system suitable for urban environments where space is limited. This efficient use of space allows for localized food production, reducing the need for long transportation routes and associated carbon emissions.
Biodiversity
Aquaponics systems can support a variety of fish and plant species. By mimicking natural ecosystems, aquaponics encourages biodiversity, which is crucial for a healthy environment. Additionally, some aquaponic systems incorporate other organisms like beneficial insects, further enhancing biodiversity.
Educational and Research Value
Aquaponics is an educational tool to teach people about sustainable farming practices, ecosystem dynamics, and the importance of conservation. It also provides opportunities for research in areas such as aquaculture, hydroponics, and environmental science. Aquaponics is perfect for schools. The students can enjoy fresh and healthy food, and the teachers have a fantastic support system to teach sciences, sustainability, and even business.
Low carbon footprint
Since the lengthy processes of transportation, cooling, and storage, along with carbon footprint, are eliminated. In the climate-controlled AHAS farm,any vegetables can be grown instead of being flown across the planet.
Adaptability
AHAS Aquaponics systems can be mounted in any environment, indoor or outdoor, and on small, medium, or large surfaces.
Freshness
The short circuit guarantees the absolute freshness of the products, which are delivered to the consumers on the same day of harvest.
Top Quality
The quality is first guaranteed because aquaponics does not allow the use of any harmful chemical product that would destroy the ecosystem. In addition, the richness of minerals in the water guarantees an excellent nutritional value for the final products
Positive impact on people's health
Beyond the development of AHAS farms, our project aims to revolutionize people's eating habits.
Fish, which grow in a healthy environment free of environmental toxins, are an excellent source of protein and good fats. And plants provide many essential nutrients, such as fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Together they guarantee a perfect nutritional balance.
Positive impact on social life
According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, areas where urban gardens are established not only result in aesthetic upgrade but also reduces crime. In addition, as per Vox.com, communal urban gardens tend to increase social networks and bonds in the localities. Urban Farming is an exciting way to bring people together and establish a sense of community among isolated population groups. For example, when the people of the neighborhood, family, friends, or sometimes even strangers work together to keep the plants alive in a community garden, it develops a sense of belongingness in the community. Each farm will also be a place of relaxation, exchange, and education in aquaponics. In addition to the space dedicated to the collection of farm products, visitors will find a restaurant area to taste mixed salads, as well as a shop selling organic products. A meeting room will welcome those who wish to learn more about aquaponics.
Energy efficiency
While aquaponic systems do require energy for pumps, aeration, and cooling, they are more energy-efficient than traditional farming methods. The closed-loop nature of aquaponics reduces the need for extensive irrigation and machinery, saving energy in the long run. The AHAS system uses low-energy efficient pumps. In our farms, we promote energy independence by using solar panels.
AHAS has spent years selecting optimum pumps and blowers, for their efficiency, low energy consumption, and safety. We also optimized the MIT shape in this spirit. Our unit hydraulics is designed to minimize energy consumption while maintaining the water moving properly throughout the system.
Many grow lights have been tested in our labs, and we have selected an optimum light power and spacing for the plants to grow at an optimum rate.
Energy independence
If the farm has a well and if solar panels are used, aquaponics can be partially or totally autonomous.
Thanks to continuous production throughout the year, the farm is sheltered from shortages of certain products and price increases depending on the market.