Farm setup and maintenance
Ecosystem establishment
The establishment of a robust and enduring ecosystem equilibrium typically requires a period of approximately six months. During these initial six months, the primary objective is to establish and maintain a stable fish and plant ecosystem.
Understanding the nitrification process
The nitrification process converts Ammonia (NH3) into Nitrite (NO2) and then Nitrates (NO3).
It requires two types of bacteria:
• Nitrosomonas: Oxidizes ammonia (NH3) into nitrite (NO2). Ammonia and Nitrite are harmful to fish.
• Nitrobacter or Nitrospira: Oxidizing nitrite into nitrate (NO3). Nitrates are harmless to fish and are absorbed by the plants
This natural process is inherent in all aquatic ecosystems. AHAS systems are designed to expedite this process.
The Nitrosomonas bacteria population reaches maturity within approximately three days. A nitrate peak occurs during the second day after adding fish, reaching a maximum concentration of 1 mg/l. Subsequently, the nitrite level decreases to the normal level of 0.1 mg/l.
Following this, the Nitrobacter bacteria population commences to populate. An amonia peak is observed during the fifth day after adding fish, reaching a maximum concentration of 1 mg/l. Subsequently, the amonia level decreases to the normal level of 0.3 mg/l.
System setup
Fish engine
The fish population is spead in several fish tanks.
Assuming a four fish tanks engine:
• At startup, two or three fish sizes should be introduced. Young fish in tank 2, three-months-old fish in tank 1.
• Three months after startup, young fish are introduced in tank 3.
• Six months after startup, young fish are introduced in tank 4.
• Nine months after startup, fish are harvested in Tank 1 during a three-month period, and replaced with young fish once empty.
This cyclical process ensures that the fish engine operates with several fish sizes, thereby stabilizing the waste products. The fish engine can generally be stabilized within a six-month timeframe.
Plants
The plant equilibrium is usually much faster to reach since plants are mature in seven weeks.
• One week in the germinator
• Two weeks in the nursery
• Four weeks in the MIT production lines.
Plants must be harvested daily and seeded weekly.
The best way to organize vegetable production is to allocate an area to each type of vegetable targeted, divide this area into sections, and assign each section a plant age. Plants are harvested in the last section and replaced regularly by the previous age section. The density varies in various sections.
Visit the Production Planing page for more details.
Farm startup
Water mineralization
At farm startup
When starting the unit, a water test should be done daily to ensure the system is slowly ramping up with Nitrates while maintaining the fish's safety. Then, tests can be spaced out to weekly or monthly. Aquaponics is very stable and does not require continuous monitoring.
Test for pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates.
After 10 days
Daily test: pH
The nitrification process tends to reduce the pH.
Maintain pH between 6.5 and 7.5. The optimum pH range for aquaponics is 6.8 to 7.2.
To raise the pH, add AHAmix or calcium carbonate.
To reduce the pH, use nitric acid. Do not use citric acid as this is anti-bacterial and will kill the bacteria in your system.
Weekly test: Iron
Iron if not part of the fish food. You need to maintain Iron between 1.5mg/l and 2 mg/l.
To increase iron, add AHAmix or DTPA. Contact us for recommendations.
Other mineral tests are also important but not essential if you use AHAmix. These tests include Potassium, Magnesium, and Phosphorous.
Mineralization
The AHAmix contains several minerals including Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphate, and Calcium in appropriate quantities.
Prepare seedlings for your scheduled production
To ensure optimal production, it is essential to generate a sufficient quantity of seedlings to maintain a full capacity in your production lines.
Visit our Production Planning page for more details.
Monthly tasks
Water mineral content
We recommended these mineral contents for your aquaponics water.
pH: 6.8-7.2
Amonia (NH3): under 0.5 mg/l
Nitrite (NO2): under 0.1 mg/l
Nitrate (NO3): under 40-80 mg/l
Calcium: 30-60mg/l
Iron: 1.8-2 mg/l
Potassium: 50-100 mg/l
Magnesium: 15-30mg/l
Dissolve oxygen: 5-8mg/l
Water temperature: 18-25 degC
Equipment Maintenance
Keep your system clean. The plants like a nice house too!
MIT
Weekly edge and body cleaning.
Water Pump
The water pumps are 24V DC pumps and have been chosen for safety and performance for your system. These pumps have small ceramic impellors and typically last for years.
Complete these tasks monthly.
• Turn the pump off.
• Unscrew the filter at the end of the pump and clean.
• Rotate the motor anticlockwise, opening the pump to view the impellor.
• Pull the impellor and rotor out from the pump body. Clean.
• Replace all parts in reverse order.
• If new or worn parts are required, then replace the pump. There is an O-ring between the plastic housing and the impellor. Ensure that it is properly positioned.
Air Blower and air pump
Blowers and air pumps are sealed units. In case of failure, please replace it with a new one. They usually last for three years.
Micro bubble air hose
The microbubble air hose lasts about two years.
You can wipe clean the air hose with your hand or a nylon brush over the pipe. Any debris plugged or settled in the hose will be removed. Complete this task with the air pump on.
Ensure the hose is locked in the holder at the bottom of the MIT.
Yearly Major Cleaning
MIT
Vaccum the bottom of the MIT to remove the debris. these are dead bacteria and fines waste.
Filter
The mineralization beds filters are self-cleaning but may have to be cleaned if a high difference in water level is observed before and after the filter.
Procedure
• Remove the two bolts holding the top filter bar.
• Remove the top lock bar of the filter.
• Holding the green filter casing firmly so that it doesn’t move
• Pull out the blue mesh.
• Wash the mesh with a water hose and replace it.
• Repeat the process for the other side.
Problems and related fixes
In case of any issue, do not rush into drastic actions. Significant changes to plants, water, or fish could upset the ecosystem and balance of your system. Just proceed with minor corrections and monitor the results slowly.
Observe trends. If ammonia increases continuously and exceeds 2mg/l, you feed by too much. Reduce the fish food quantities. The correct quantity of fish food per day is 15-40g per board, 30-80g per square meter, depending on the crop mix. If the emergency case where Ammonia (NH3) exceeds 3mg/l, circulate 30% of the water out and replace it with fresh water.
High Nitrite (NO2) concentrations are generally caused by a rush in starting the unit or a too rapid increase of fish food since there is a lack of nitrifying bacteria in the system. It could also be due to a lack of oxygen getting to the bacteria and the fish.
Always try to maintain the Natural Equilibrium of your Natural Aquaponics ecosystem.
Enjoy and promote your healthy and tasty naturally AHAponically grown veggies.
Contact us in case of a problem.
Any question?
