THE BIOFILTER OR BIO DIGESTER

There is some conjecture about what is the correct terminology so maybe there is a reason for this title or maybe its just not worth the effort. Maybe Id be better employed talking about other things. One thing is certain, you are now going to have at your disposal quite a few differing opinions.....

I thought Id start with a Novel and cost effective bio-filter media.

Powered by sunlight, enriched by oxygen from the waterfall, nourished by fish-waste nutrients, the pond is home for a treasure of microscopic creatures.

The solids removal tank in an aquaponics system is designed to remove solid waste from the fish tank before the water passes through the biofilter. The biofilter in a backyard or home aquaponics system is usually a gravel bed.

Again, citing Alexanders Intro to Soil Microbiology, this attribute is not rare since up to one half of soil bacterial isolates tested usually are capable of solubilizing calcium phosphates, and the counts of bacteria solubilizing insoluble inorganic forms of phosphorus may be as high as 10^7 (10 million) per gram of soil. Such bacteria are often especially abundant on root surfaces.

There are many different sizing approaches for media bed aquaponic systems, but none of them are actually based on the use of sound or established scientific or technical principles. Our new sizing model uses established and well known associations for gravel bed biofilter sizing, fish feed input to plant use ratios and gravel bed solids mineralisation ratios.

The model is provided as an excel spreadhseet for ease of use and we also provide a document that explains the model and explains how to use the model. We hope this assists you with designing your backyard or hobby scale aquaponic systems. Happy aquaponicing!

Integrating hydroponic and aquaculture systems (aquaponics) requires balanced pH for plants, fish, and nitrifying bacteria. Nitrification prevents accumulation of fish waste ammonia by converting it to NO₃^--N. The difference in optimum pH for hydroponic cucumber (Cucumis sativa) (5.5 to 6.0) and nitrification (7.5 to 9.0) requires reconciliation to improve systems integration and sustainability. The purpose of this investigation was to: 1) determine the ammonia biofiltration rate of a.....

The ancient Aztecs developed chinampas, man-made floating islands, which consisted of rectangular areas of fertile land on lake beds. Aztecs cultivated maize, squas­h and other plants on the chinampas and fish in the canals surrounding them. The fish waste settled on the bottom of the canals, and the Aztecs collected the waste to use as fertilizer [source: Growfish]. Additionally, countries in the Far East like Thailand and China have long used aquaponic techniques in rice paddies.

From the biofilter, water is pumped to the top of a slanted hydroponic growing area, most often constructed with PVC piping. The typical system uses an inert growing medium, such as porous clay pellets or rockwool, a spun glass wool made of volcanic rock, to hold roots in place while water moves through the system and overflows back into the fish pond.

A handfull of Video clips on the subject

Water pH Impacts Sustainability of Recirculating Aquaponic Systems



Now to other matters

Hot off the PRESS

A practical workshop on how to produce your own organic vegetables and fresh fish in one sustainable, closed-loop system, in your own backyard.

Title:     Sydney Autumn Aquaponics

When:   2 Apr 2011 - 3 Apr 2011  9:00am - 5:00pm

Where: Alexandria Park Community Centre - Alexandria

Category:Aquaponics Workshop

 

His passion for teaching science is evident in the many past and present student projects throughout the school and community, including revegetation, vegetable and wildflower gardens, nesting boxes, aquaponics and permaculture gardens, community recycling, orchard and earth worm farms all constructed by the students themselves under Mr Whittome’s guidance.

Description of Basic Aquaponics System in Australia. Single grow bed media based systems.

The Fair

Jesus Rodriguez, front, and Bimmer Torres, members of 2 Kool media, spray paint UCD professor Greg Cronin’s electric car Nov. 10 at the Auraria Sustainability Fair. Cornin’s car was painted to help promote www.350.org, a website working to “inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis.” Photo courtesy of Photoroadies.com, special to The Metropolitan

Of the variety of booths and displays to behold there, the aquaponics tank and the electric car getting tagged definitely drew the most attention.
Shawn Cruze, a Metro junior, answered questions about the aquaponics tank — a fish tank with plants growing out of it.

Colorado Aquaponics Greenhouse #5 – February, 2010

I hope again that I am providing the type of information you require. If not please contact me with your needs.

Untill next time 

Be good to yourself

OZZIE