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Unit 2.4 System Start Up

2. Aquaponics
System Start Up

3. System Start Up
There are a number of steps and biological processes that must take place before you establish a flourishing system at equilibrium
System reaches maximum potential at 6-9 months
Production should be continuous
Starting and stopping production throws the system off balance

4. Water Source
Once the system is constructed it will need to be filled with fresh water
Sources:
Well
Can contain natural sources of trace elements such as calcium or iron which can be beneficial
Municipal
May contain chlorine/chloramine which is harmful to fish, plants, and bacteria
Should be removed from water
Chemical water conditioner
Safe level is less than 1mg/L of chlorine
Rain
Excellent choice for aquaponics
Free of chlorine and other sanitizing agents
pH neutral
H2O purified by reverse osmosis or ozone
Recommended last due to its lack of anything beneficial to plants
Ideal pH of water is within is acceptable
Once system is filled, circulate water for 24 to 48 hours to allow the release of gasses
This also allows for the operator to make sure everything in the system is running smoothly before the addition of fish
Once system is full, water lost over time will need to be replaced

5. Fish Stocking Plants can’t grow without nutrients
Fish are first step in establishment of a system
Ammonia will start to rise
7-10 days ammonia will fall and nitrite will rise
Ammonia and nitrite toxic to fish
7-10 days nitrite will fall and nitrate will rise
Natural microbial process
Initial stocking
<20% of the total bio-mass system can support
Reduces mortality as bacteria population grows
When adding fish to an already stocked tank do so when ammonia and nitrite levels are low, test water first
System must be functioning when fish are added
Grow bed and filtration units act as biofilters

6. Fish Stocking 2 methods Ideally a grower has four or more tanks
Batch culture
Stock with fingerlings and allow for them to grow at same time
Good for large aquaculture and aquaponics
Results in fastest growth of fish
Poor choice for aquaponics with one or two tanks because single harvest means a substantial decrease in nutrient availability for plants
Staggered
Multiple sizes of fish in each tank
Good for small aquaponics (one or two tanks)
Increased handling and sorting of fish will cause stress and lower weight gain
Reduction in overall efficiency and production when stunted fish are allowed to remain in the system
Ideally a grower has four or more tanks
Stock each one every six weeks for steady plant production

7. Fish Stocking

8. Fish Stocking Modified Stocking 2 tank system
Each tank treated as two tanks
Stock tank at half capacity and when those fish are halfway to harvest stock the other half of capacity
Will provide most consistent nutrient levels for plants
Start up:
Stock ½ of total population in tank one
6.5 weeks later
Stock ½ of total population in tank two
Harvest mature fish from tank one
Restock 1/2 of total population in tank one
Continue this cycle

9. Fish Stocking Reduce stocking mortality by gentle introduction of fish
When fish arrive, siphon water from the system into the container the fish arrive in (generally a plastic bag filled with water and oxygen). Do this slow flushing for 15 minutes until water fish arrived in is replaced with system water
Helps fish adjust to system water
Keeps potential contaminated water out of the system
Wait a few hours before trying to feed fish
Generally fish are anaesthetized for shipping and won’t readily eat
When fish are ready to eat, feed them at the same times each day and only give fish what they will eat in a 30 minute period (for large systems)

10. Planting the Grow Bed Germination of own seeds allows control over:
Seed selection
Environmental conditions
Cleanliness
Insect control
Bringing in plants from the outside risks:
Infection of plants by disease and insects
Seeds need the following to germinate:
Moisture
Proper temperature
Proper humidity
Germination time between one day to one month depending on type of plant

11. Planting the Grow Bed
Recommend separate germination table over planting directly into grow bed
Recommend simple flood and drain
Plants need a small space for germination
Grow bed is large; germination not efficient use of the space
Seedling 2-3” tall transplant into grow bed
Transplanting is more laborious but a more efficient use of space
Materials used for germination:
Peat moss
Peat moss and vermiculite mix
Coconut coir (shredded husk)
Perlite
Rockwool
Ideal mediums are chemically inert, porous, clean, and drain freely

12. Planting the Grow Bed
Peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and coconut coir
Loose materials
Plants tipped out of container (plant and media) to be placed into grow bed
Rockwool
Derived from basalt rock
Heated and spun into fibers
Fibers formed into cubes
Entire cube transplanted into grow bed

13. Planting the Grow Bed
Each seed variety has ideal temperature and humidity for germination
Average temperature 75°-78°F
Average humidity 75-85%
Growing medium should be kept moist but not wet and not submerged for extended periods of time
Heating plants from the bottom is good for propagation
Seed Type
Optimum temperature of germination
Carrot
86°F
Cucumber
76°F
Lettuce
Melon
90°F
Parsley
77°F
Pea
Radish
Tomato
78°F

14. Planting the Grow Bed
Initial stages of germination happen within seed coat
Seed absorbs water
pH should be 6.0 for germination
In the presence of water stored reserves within the seed are converted chemically to substances used in the growing process
Growth begins with cell enlargement
Seed coat breaks
Radical root emerges
Seedling draws moisture and nutrients from media
Several days after root emerges the shoot begins to grow
In the presence of light the seed leaves (cotyledons) open
Foliage leaves open
Some seeds will not germinate and some seeds will germinate more slowly than others
Always over-seed by 15%
Select largest, healthiest seedlings for transplant
Most potential for growing into strong, healthy plants

16. Reference
Nelson, R. L. Aquaponic Food Production Raising Fish and Plants for Food and Profit Nelson and Pade, Inc. Montello, WI. Pgs
With contributions from John S. Pade