Evolution of Aquaponics

Design: from UVI to Zero-

Waste Commercial Operation
Nick Savidov
Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development

For The Aquaponics Association

September 12-14, 2014,

San Jose, California
Can we make aquaponics more
competitive?

The answer is a new generation

aquaponics – a commercial technology
using state-of-the-art technology in fish
production, waste treatment and
soilless production
Aquaponics is an
example of multi-
trophic agro-ecosystem
Every start-up aquaponics facility
given there is no interference by
chemicals, antibiotics or antiseptic
equipment will invariably become
populated by numerous microbial
communities.
At least five distinct microbiotas, or
microbial communities, can be identified
in aquaponics:
The populations within the water column
Fish gut microbiota
The root’s rhizosphere communities
Biofilms
The aerobic bioreactor populations that
convert organics into plant nutrients
The colonization process can
last from a few months to years
and eventually yields an
established “mature
aquaponics”. At this endpoint
aquaponics becomes, in fact, a
self-regulating ecosystem
Stable trophic interactions are
created that serve to link all living
system components. A mature
aquaponics ecosystem is
characterized by stabilized water
parameters and increased
productivity
• Agro-ecosystems are superior to
conventional agricultural practices
based on monoculture as they recycle
nutrients, use resources like water
more efficiently and do not have
harmful environmental impact. They
are examples of truly sustainable food
production systems.
Rosemary
roots

Hydroponics Aquaponics
Sugarcane root growth stimulation in
aquaponics

Hydroponics Aquaponics
Enhanced growth of basil in
Brooks aquaponic facility
Effect of aquaponics water on basil production. Commercial
trials at Red Hat Co-operative Ltd , April 18, 2013

iPhone
4-week old aquaponic plants 6-week old hydroponic plants
Inoculation of new aquaponics
facilities with mature culture
can play a key role to improve
their productivity and in
economic viability of future
integrated farms
 Carefully watch inputs, which
may contain chemicals affecting
microbial community in your
system, especially, antibiotics.
Some fish formulations contain
poultry by-product meal, which
may contain antibiotics
The major features of new generation
aquaponics include:
• More efficient filtration methods
• Addition of the second loop to convert solid
waste into plant nutrients
• Intensification of the mineralization process
using more efficient methods to supply oxygen
• Creating more favourable conditions for
microbial culture
• Automation and computerization
The major goals of new
generation aquaponics is
commercial and environmental
sustainability
Aquaponics Project in Brooks
Research Centre, Alberta –
started in 2002
Tilapia was selected the species
selected

Nile tilapia
Red (hybrid) tilapia
 Over 60 different crops
have been tested in Brooks
since 2002.
 Plant choices

Unlimited - depends
on consumer markets,
geographic location,
temperatures, pest
resistance and
nutrient uptake
 Plant types

• Greens
• Flowers
• Medicinals
• Herbs
• Vine crops
• Aquatics
Cucumber crop CDC South, Brooks,
Alberta
Tomatoes in Brooks Aquaponic Facility
(BAF)
Tomatoes
Bitter melon
Herbs

Living basil
Chives

Parsley
Cut basil
 Annual production of herbs in
aquaponics
Water
spinach
60
Swiss
Chard
Yield, kg m-2 year-1

50

40

30 Lettuce
Basil
Genovese
20 Choi
Portulaca
Coriander
Basil
10 Osmin Dill

0
Amaranth Basil Chives Cilantro Culantro Fenugreek Parsley Spinach Water
Lemon Purdue cress
 Aquatics

• Water Lily • Water Pennywort

• Lotus • Dwarf Bamboo
• Iris • Water Chestnut
• Sweetflag • Arrowhead
• Dwarf Papyrus • Floating Heart
• Aquatic Mint • Canna
• Parrot’s Feather • Spider Lilly
• Water Clover • Taro
 Medicinals
• Borago officinalis
• Ginseng
• Calendula officinalis
• Symphytum sp.
• Tanacetum
parthenium
• Valeriana officinalis
• Echinacea purpurea
• Hypercium perforatum
Parameters of the pilot-scale system
in Brooks, Alberta
• Total volume – 73 m3
• Plant area – 84 m2
• Flow rate – 700 L min-1
• Fish production capacity – 3.7 tons year-1
• Basil crop production – 3.5 tons year-1
 Electric Power Consumption in 4th
Generation Aquaponics System
Equipment Number of Units Power, kW h-1
Pumps
Main sump pump 1 0.983
Oxygenator pumps 3 0.336
Bioreactor stirring pump 1 0.112
Cleaning circute pump 1 0.020
Bioreactor to clarifier pump 1 0.011
Heating circute pump 1 0.028
Monitoring circute pump 1 0.028
Drum filter pump 1 0.003
Lights 15 1.200
Oxygen concerntrators, Onyx AirSep 3 1.050
Total 3.770
 Four different
models/generations of
commercial aquaponics
prototypes were designed and
tested in Brooks Research
Center, Alberta
Brooks Aquaponics Facility was based on
the model developed in University of Virgin
Island

Filter
Fish tanks Clarifiers
tanks
DFT plant growing troughs
Solids removal scheme in
UVI system
2nd Generation Aquaponics Facility

Filter
Fish tanks Clarifiers
tanks
DFT plant growing tray
 Filter
Fish tanks Clarifiers
tanks
DFT plant growing tray
GeoTube Sump

P1

P2

4’’
P3

4’’

Fish tank
Swirl Clarifier Limestone filter
Separators tanks
Limestone (5 mm – 10
mm) was used as a
buffer and as a calcium
source
The two-loop-design
system in Canada has
three main parts:
•fish rearing
•waste treatment
•plant production
Each of two loops is
responsible for
treatment of liquid
and solid waste
consequently.
Plant bed inlet and outlet
 Generation 3 aquaponics facility
GeoTube Sump

P1

P3
P2

AB1
Clarifier
Swirl
AB2
Separators
Limestone
filter tanks

Fish tanks Filters Plant Tray

Clean water Cleaning Circuit

Nutrient Rich Water Aeration
Solids Removal
Geotube tank

Inlet

Outlet
Piping in new facility
Solids removal in Generation 3 system: 1st
and 2nd stages

2’’

2’’
4’’

4’’
4’’

Fish tank Clarifier

Swirl Separators
Swirl separator
 Heat exchanger

Sensors

Mixing tank

P2

4’’ 6’’
P4

Sump
 Layout of a Generation 4 aquaponics
system
Sump tank with two pumps
Aerobic biodigester with and one LHO
GeoTube two pumps and one LHO
Tank

Oxygen 2’’
Generator
LHO

P1
Drum Oxygen
Filter Generators
P3
3’’ 3’’
2’’
4’’ P3
Oxygen-
enriching
P3 tank with
two LHOs AB1
Air
Blowe
4’’
r
Fish Tanks Clarifier Plant pond

Filtration tanks with limestone

Clean water Cleaning Circuit

Nutrient Rich Water Aeration

Solids Removal Circute

Drum filter, 300 µm, was used to
separate solids from fish effluent
 Using 50 µm to 90 µm
membrane in drum filters, which
are most common for
conventional aquaculture, led to
filter plugging up by fast growing
biofilm in aquaponics.
 Separated solids are deposited
and mineralized in the batch-
type aerobic bioreactor, which is
the most essential component of
water treatment system in
Generation 4 aquaponic system
TSS particle size anaylisis in fish effluent

Volume (%)

Particle Diameter (µm)

Volume (%)
Effect of filtration on TSS particle size, (300 µm
drum filter, limestone filter)

Volume (%)

Particle Diameter (µm)

Volume (%)
TSS particle size in bioreactor feed

Volume (%)

Particle Diameter (µm)

Volume (%)

Particle Diameter (µm)

Effect of rhizofiltration onTSS particle

Volume (%)

Particle Diameter (µm)

 After Plant Tray
Volume (%)

Particle Diameter (µm)

Total Suspended Solids, TSS, is a very
important parameter of water quality in
aquaponic system. High TSS level may cause
increased sedimentation of the particles on the
plant roots as a result of rhizofiltration and
accumulation of the anaerobic sludge in the
plant tray
It depends on:
• Fish load
• Solids capture efficiency
• Rate of the solids breakdown
Rate of the organic material
breakdown in aquaponics depends on:

• Temperature
• Level of Dissolved Oxygen
• Presence of active microbial
population
It is very important to prevent
solids accumulation in DFT
plant tray
 Sludge accumulation in the
plant tray results in:
• Anaerobic decay of organic material
• Accumulation of ammonium and other
toxic compounds
• Fast growth of opportunistic pathogens,
such as Pythium
• Plant stress and yield loss due to diseases
Sludge accumulation on the
bottom of plant tray
Pythium Root Rot
Improper waste management
results in the system failure in
95% of all cases
 Cleaning scheme of plant tray and filter tanks

P3

Filter tanks Plant Tray

 Schedule of on/off solenoid valves in
aquaponic facility
6

5
Solenoids

Pump starts Pump stops

1:00 am 15 30 45 2:00 am 15 30 45 3:00 am 15 30 45 4:00 am 15 30 45 5:00 am 15

 Automatic control in
aquaponics operation
 Argus Control Systems Ltd.,
Canada, designed a system for
aquaponics operation in Brooks,
Alberta
Inputs: Outputs:
DO sensor Variable solenoid valve
On/Off solenoid valve
Flow rate sensor
Main pump
Water level sensor Booster pump
EC Sensor Oxygen backup solenoid
pH sensor Acid and base pumps
 Solenoid valve

Oxygen
backup
1 3 system

Main pump
Total flow 200 gpm
3’’ 3’’ EC sensor

Variable solenoid 4’’ pH sensor

valve
Level sensor

3’’ 3’’ 4’’ Drum

Filter Spare pump
Check Total flow 100 gpm
valve

4’’
2 4 3’’

Fish tank Swirl

Dissolved oxygen (DO)
On/Off solenoid Separators
sensor
valve

5 6

Flow rate sensors

Nursery tanks
Oxygenation in 4th Generation
aquaponics
Hospital Oxygen Concentrator - 95% pure
oxygen
Top of Brooks Oxygenator
Flow control in 4 Generation system
Oxygenation allowed
significantly improve
performance of aquaponics
technology in Canada
 Advantages of oxygenation
over aeration
•Higher dissolved oxygen level, up to 22
ppm, higher fish stocking density
•Higher positive redox potential - faster
mineralization rate
•No water splashing – better food safety
•Less power consumed
•Less water evaporation rate – 0.1% per day
•Better management
pH stability in new generation
aquaponic system
Level of pH, temperature and EC in aquaponics system
Correlation between pH and ammonium
levels in three aquaponic systems
In nature, nitrification process is
carried out by several groups of
autotrophic and heterotrophic
microorganisms occupying
different ecological niches and
operating in wide range of pH
and ammonium concentration.
Although autotrophic nitrifying
bacteria play important role in in
natural ecosystems, they are not
the major contributors in global
nitrification process as they
require higher concentration of
substrate and grow very slowly
Cultivation of an obligate acidophilic ammonia
oxidizer from a nitrifying acid soil
Laura E. Lehtovirta-Morleya, Kilian Stoeckerb, Andreas Vilcinskasb, James I. Prossera,1, and Graeme W.
Nicola

Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, United
Kingdom; and bFraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35394 Giessen, Germany
Edited by James M. Tiedje, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, and approved August 17, 2011 (received
for review May 7, 2011)

Next SectionAbstract
Nitrification is a fundamental component of the global nitrogen cycle and leads to significant fertilizer loss and

Nitrification rates in acidic soils

atmospheric and groundwater pollution.

(pH < 5.5), which comprise 30% of the world's soils,

equal or exceed those of neutral soils. Paradoxically, autotrophic
ammonia oxidizing bacteria and archaea, which perform the first stage in nitrification, demonstrate little or no
growth in suspended liquid culture below pH 6.5, at which ammonia availability is reduced by ionization. Here we
report the discovery and cultivation of a chemolithotrophic, obligately acidophilic thaumarchaeal ammonia
oxidizer, “Candidatus Nitrosotalea devanaterra,” from an acidic agricultural soil. Phylogenetic analysis places the
organism within a previously uncultivated thaumarchaeal lineage that has been observed in acidic soils.

Growth of the organism is optimal in the pH range 4

to 5 and is restricted to the pH range 4 to 5.5,
 Features of new generation
aquaponics system
• Stable pH at 6.0-6.4
• Zero waste
• Zero water discharge
• 100% nutrient use efficiency
• No fertilizer suppliments
• Minimum labor
• Highest water use efficiency achieved
Commercialization of new
generation aquaponics in
Canada
Commercial aquaponics system
at Red Hat Co-operative,
Redcliff, Alberta
Fish and nursery tanks
Plumbing of fish tanks
Oxygen saturator in pump sump
Pump sump with oxygenator
Oxygenation tank
Aerobic bioreactors
Waste treatment facility

Aerobic Drumfilter
Bioreactor
with
oxygenator
Plant bed cleaning system
Fish tanks, 8’ diameter, 4’ deep

Plant bed, 215 sq. m, 1 foot deep (average)

Plant bed with poly liner
Aquaponic cucumbers
Effect of aquaponics water on basil production. Commercial
trials at Red Hat Co-operative Ltd , April 18, 2013

iPhone
4-week old aquaponic plants 6-week old hydroponic plants
MDM Aquafarms, Alberta
Northern Bioponics, British
Columbia
Nature does not have waste!
Using other feedstocks than fish
manure as a source of nutrients
for greenhouse operations
Hybrid Aquaponics/Poultry
operations
Aerobic Bioreactor at CDC
North
 Future Developments
• Economically viable large-scale
commercial operations
• Generation 5 System utilizing continuous mode
bioreactor
• Saline water aquaponics
• Introducing new fish species in close-loop
system
• Aquaponics Plant Factories and Urban
Agriculture
 Future Developments

• Developing higher level integrated

systems using other livestock
wastes, such as poultry, pork,
beef, plant derived products, such
as alfalfa pellets
• Introduction of polyculture into
aquaponics
“Those who dare to fail
miserably can achieve greatly”

John F. Kennedy
“Learn from the mistakes of
others. You can’t live long
enough to make them all
yourself. ”

Eleanor Roosevelt