UVI Design model Talk 2 · All aquaponic systems (commercial, backyard) should be designed the same way: Decide on plant growing area Calculate the fish feed required to supply that

AQUAPONIC SOLUTIONSAQUAPONIC SOLUTIONS

AQUAPONICSAQUAPONICSMedia Systems & My CalculatorMedia Systems & My Calculator

Dr Wilson LennardDr Wilson Lennard


INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

There is too much rubbish spoken in theThere is too much rubbish spoken in thebackyard community and forumsbackyard community and forums

Old wives tales and untested approaches donOld wives tales and untested approaches don’’ttassist anyoneassist anyone

No backyard system sellers actually use anyNo backyard system sellers actually use anytechnical model(s) to design systemstechnical model(s) to design systems

It is a It is a ““suck it and seesuck it and see”” industry industry


REASONS FOR MY MODELREASONS FOR MY MODEL

I got sick of the haphazard approach ofI got sick of the haphazard approach ofbackyard system sellersbackyard system sellers

I get sick of getting emails from countlessI get sick of getting emails from countlessbackyard operators with problemsbackyard operators with problems

I was asked to produce a biofilter model when inI was asked to produce a biofilter model when inHawaii with Dr. Rakocy last year, so decided toHawaii with Dr. Rakocy last year, so decided towrite a full media bed modelwrite a full media bed model


AQUAPONIC SYSTEM DESIGNAQUAPONIC SYSTEM DESIGN

All aquaponic systems (commercial, backyard)All aquaponic systems (commercial, backyard)should be designed the same way:should be designed the same way: Decide on plant growing areaDecide on plant growing area Calculate the fish feed required to supply that plantCalculate the fish feed required to supply that plant

growth areagrowth area Calculate the average fish biomass required to utiliseCalculate the average fish biomass required to utilise

that fish feedthat fish feed Calculate fish tank volume based on biomass to beCalculate fish tank volume based on biomass to be

heldheld


TYPICAL BACKYARD SYSTEMTYPICAL BACKYARD SYSTEM


THE MODELTHE MODEL


THE MODELTHE MODEL

The model works by entering the desired fishThe model works by entering the desired fishtank size first, which is counter to how systemstank size first, which is counter to how systemsshould be designedshould be designed

This was done because this is what everyoneThis was done because this is what everyoneexpectsexpects

A 10 page A 10 page ““How to useHow to use…”…” document is document isprovided with the modelprovided with the model


THE MODELTHE MODEL


INPUT PARAMETERSINPUT PARAMETERS

The input parameters include:The input parameters include: Desired fish tank volumeDesired fish tank volume Desired average fish culture densityDesired average fish culture density Average daily feed rate (as a % of fish biomass)Average daily feed rate (as a % of fish biomass) Fish feed protein content (32% - Tilapia)Fish feed protein content (32% - Tilapia) Media specific surface area (300 mMedia specific surface area (300 m22/m/m33))


OUTPUTSOUTPUTS

The outputs include:The outputs include: Biofilter volume requiredBiofilter volume required Flow rate requiredFlow rate required Bed surface area required to meet solidsBed surface area required to meet solids

mineralisationmineralisation Updated fish tank volume (compensate for mediaUpdated fish tank volume (compensate for media

bed flood volume)bed flood volume) Bed surface area required for leafy green plantsBed surface area required for leafy green plants Bed surface area required for fruiting plantsBed surface area required for fruiting plants


USING THE MODELUSING THE MODEL

Once the fish tank volume, fish density, feedOnce the fish tank volume, fish density, feedrate, feed protein content and SSA of media israte, feed protein content and SSA of media isadded, the model outputs several parameters keyadded, the model outputs several parameters keyto your media bed area sizeto your media bed area size

Biofiltration is always met for media bedBiofiltration is always met for media bed Important outputs are the bed areas; always useImportant outputs are the bed areas; always use

the largest bed area outputsthe largest bed area outputs The model can be used in reverse by using aThe model can be used in reverse by using a

““lets see how this goeslets see how this goes”” approach approach


ACCESS TO THE MODELACCESS TO THE MODEL

The model and associated The model and associated ““How to useHow to use…’…’document may be downloaded for free from mydocument may be downloaded for free from myweb site: web site: www.aquaponic.com.auwww.aquaponic.com.au

There is also a long page of information forThere is also a long page of information formedia bed and backyard system designmedia bed and backyard system design


CONTACTCONTACT

Dr Wilson LennardDr Wilson LennardAquaponic SolutionsAquaponic Solutions

[email protected]

Ph: 0409 542 621Ph: 0409 542 621

Documents

UVI Design model Talk 2 · All aquaponic systems (commercial, backyard) should be designed the same way: Decide on plant growing area Calculate the fish feed required to supply that