Articles
What are lab tests and how can I use them in my aquaponics system?
You will most likely be farming your aquaponics, hydroponics or aquaculture system for a few years before you enter the world of lab tests. It should absolutely be sooner. But there are all these reasons why we don’t reach out to labs… Top reasons we don’t reach out to labs 1. Which lab tests are necessary? In your system you will always want to do a water quality test. This will tell you the contents and nutrients of your water which is valuable if you want to know what is bioavailable for your plants and bacteria.
· Jonathan ReyesUsing Aquaponics for Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Plumbing, Carpentry and all aspects of Business!
23 years of offering Aquaponic 101 workshops to teachers! David Cline of Auburn University’s joins us from the E. W. Shell Fisheries Learning Center in Alabama. He’s passionate about education and sharing innovative ways to explore STEM through Aquaponics. Jump in and learn more about how aquaponics make an excellent teaching tool and how you can even do it yourself at home. David Cline of Auburn University is an Associate Extension Professor at the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences.
· Jonathan ReyesAquaponic Systems Utilize the Soil Food Web to Grow Healthy Crops
Brian Filipowich*, Sydni Schramm, Josh Pyle, Kevin Savage, Gary Delanoy, Janelle Hager, and Eddie Beuerlein Summary of Research 1. Where does the soil food web live in a bioponic system? Microbes aggregate on all surfaces within a bioponic system and suspended in the water column. Roots are a hotspot of microbial activity in both bioponic systems and in soil. Micro niches within the systems provide bacteria with ideal conditions for growth.
· The Aquaponics AssociationSystem Cycling and Nutrient Uptake in Aquaponics
Nutrients are substances that nourish plants and animals by providing energy for growth and maintaining life. Individual plant and animal species require different nutrients to thrive. In aquaponic systems, fish receive essential nutrients from specially chosen, crafted, and stored food. Companies specialize in producing food for various species such as trout, salmon, catfish, and tilapia. Alternatively, plants in aquaponic systems rely on bacteria to transform fish waste into nutrients. The plants absorb the nutrients out of the water, thereby clarifying the water before it circulates back to the fish tank.
· Julianne GrennImportance of Following Standard Operating Procedures at your Aquaponic Farm
Protocols are set, followed, and enforced for a reason - to protect you, your farm, and the plants and animals you rear. Disregarding protocols or selectively choosing which practices to follow can lead to negative ramifications. These consequences can affect your entire operation and potentially result in crop and fish loss. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensure that farms run smoothly and that all employees, volunteers, and workers are on the same page.
· Julianne GrennAquaponic Software and Mobile Application Feature Highlights
Aquaponic Software Features Hi there! We want to highlight and share with you some features found in our platform. As Aquaponic practitioners we’re working on transforming how the world views food production and food security. We also grow awesome nutrient-rich crops, healthy fish and enjoy innovating within our grow spaces. Yet, we still need to understand more. Our community can only grow and expand if we understand our systems more, have better diagnostics, and have clear insights into the workings of our farms.
· Julianne GrennCommon Problems in Aquaponic Systems
Aquaponics combines hydroponics and aquaculture to create a more sustainable and efficient farming process. Fish and plants are reared together in systems that share water. The fish generate ammonia waste that bacteria transfix into a nitrogen product that the plants can absorb and use for food. Aquaponic systems are scientifically complex and must be properly monitored and maintained to ensure success. As a technology company we offer solutions to issues commonly faced by aquaponic growers.
· Julianne GrennThe Importance of Tracking Water Temperatures in Aquaponic Systems
Water is the lifeblood of an aquaponic system. Therefore proper monitoring and insights into water temperature is crucial to maintaining water quality, fish and plant health. Water attributes to monitor include ammonia levels, PH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and water temperature. Monitoring and regulating the temperatures outside of and within your system are key to running a successful aquaponic operation. Plants and fish in aquaponic systems must live within certain temperature thresholds for biological reasons, to optimize growth patterns, and to limit the spread of disease.
· Julianne GrennWhat is Hydroponics?
The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture. Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil. Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner. Popularizing indoor agriculture in areas where it would be difficult, if not impossible to grow crops outdoors (deserts, high altitudes, cold regions).
· Ethan OttoA brief history of Hydroponics, Next-Gen Farming, and Soil-less Farming
Now, Hydroponics has many applications. It is used worldwide to grow plants on land or in water without dirt or soils, for both commercial and home use. The roots of the plant do not contact the growing medium or soil, but instead reside in a solution containing all of the nutrients that are required for plant growth. The environmental conditions within which hydroponic plants are grown can be controlled to create optimal growing environments.
· Ethan Otto