1. Aquaponics short-course at the
University of Arizona
Kevin Fitzsimmons, Jason
Licamele, Eric Highfield
University of Arizona
6 April 2011

2. Trends in food markets
Demand for more locally grown, organic
foods
Increasing demand for vegetables and fish
for health reasons
Need to increase economic and
environmental efficiency (energy, water,
land area, recycling of nutrients)

3. Global food crisis
Rapidly increasing population
Diversion of foods to bio-fuels
Increased costs for water, fertilizer, fuel
Multiple demands for farmland (urban sprawl,
industrial and mining, solar and wind generation,
wildlife conservation, watershed protection,
global warming, etc.)
Demand for locally produced food

4. Need new model for food
production
Green Revolution – huge increase in food
production, but heavy reliance on irrigation,
fuel and fertilizer.
Blue Revolution – almost 50% of seafood is
farm raised, but many environmental
impacts (effluents causing eutrophication,
algae blooms, cage and raft conflicts with
other users in oceans, bays and lakes)

5. Development of hydroponics and
aquaculture
Fast growing sectors of global food
production
Hydroponics is more efficient use of water
and nutrients, controls the environment and
reduces use of pesticides and herbicides.
Aquaculture is more efficient production of
domesticated aquatic animals and plants.

6. Past Projects
The Land – Disney World, Florida
Biosphere 2 – Tucson, Arizona
High school education
Commercialization

7. Disney World – EPCOT – The Land
University of Arizona provided technical design,
layout, and training of staff.
Selected hydroponics and aquaculture as two critical
food production systems for the future.

8. Disney World – EPCOT – The Land
30,000 guests a day learn about hydroponics,
aquaculture, tilapia, and advanced farming
techniques
Products are served in the Good Turn Restaurant

9. Development trials for Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 – A one hectare greenhouse. Completely
sealed, with eight people living inside for two years.

10. Early trials for Biosphere 2
University of Arizona
provided overall
technical support and
designed the food
system.
Intensive food
production
Healthy foods with
minimal need for
external inputs
Replicated trials with
tilapia and lettuce

11. Various growing techniques
Growing in
gravel/biofilter
Growing in floating
boards

12. Density and micronutrient trials
Low density of fish High density of fish

13. Nutrient film technique
Growing in troughs/gutters with flowing water

14. Nutrient film technique
Flood and drain version in troughs/gutters

15. Fish and grain crops
Tilapia and barley Nutrient dynamics in recirc
Determined that integrated fish and irrigated crops were
most efficient food production system for Biosphere 2

16. Educational systems in high schools
Fish instead of traditional
Hydroponic vegetables and
farm animals
ornamental flowers

17. Water chemistry
pH
Conductivity
Dissolved solids
Suspended solids
Oxygen

18. Carbon Cycle
digestion and
respiration + 3O2
C6H12O6 6 H2O + 6 CO2 C6H12O6 + 3O2
sugars and
other organics
Photosynthesis
sugars and
other organics
and oxygen
water and
carbon dioxide
anaerobes and CH4 + COx
methanogens

19. Carbonate Cycle
CO2 + H2O H2CO3 H+ + HCO3
- H+ + CO3
2-
carbon dioxide
dissolved in water
carbonic
acid
bicarbonate
ion
carbonate
ion

20. Carbonate cycle

21. Nitrogen Cycle
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
De-nitrification

22. Nitrogen cycle in aquatic systems

23. Nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen is often a limiting element in
freshwater aquatic system
Adding nitrogen will cause rapid increase in
primary productivity
Nitrogen in anaerobic sediments
- denitrification (reduction to NH3 or N2 gas)

24. UAAQ CEAC
Nitrogen Mass Flow
Nitrogen Mass Flow
– Introduced via feed
– Input: 108 g nitrogen / day
Oxygen
– Consumption
Fish
Plant root zone
Plant respiration
– Generation
Plant photosynthesis
Microalgae / Phytoplankton
photosynthesis
F e e d ( 2 8 % P r o t e i n ; 5 . 7 % N )
2 % F i s h B i o m a s s )
T i l a p i a s p p .
O 2 D i f f u s i o n
N R e t e n t i o n : 2 7 %
M e c h a n i c a l
F i l t r a t i o n
T o t a l : 1 0 0 % N
( 1 0 % N d i s s o l v e d i n H 2 O )
( 4 0 % N e x c r e t e d i n t o H 2 O b y f i s h )
1 0 % S l u d g e
B i o l o g i c a l
F i l t e r
N c o n s . 1 %
1 ) C o n v e r s i o n o f f e e d t o f i s h b i o m a s s
2 ) S e p a r a t i o n o f s o l i d s a n d s l u d g e
3 ) C o n v e r s i o n o f n i t r o g e n t o n i t r a t e
T o t a l : 7 3 % N
( 5 0 % D i s s o l v e d N )
( 2 3 % P a r t i c u l a t e N )
T o t a l : 6 3 % N
H y d r o p o n i c s L e t t u c e
4 ) C o n v e r s i o n o f n i t r a t e t o p l a n t b i o m a s s
D a t a C o l l e c t i o n : 5 - 6 g - N / k g d r y w e i g h t
5 ) R e s i d u a l n i t r a t e
i n H 2 O
N H 3 - N H 4
N O 2
N O 3
T o t a l : 6 2 % N
A i r B l o w e r
( A i r a p p r o x 2 1 % O 2 g e n
F o r c e d i n t o w a t e r )
F i s h
O 2 c o n ( R e s p i r a t i o n )
P h y t o p l a n k t o n / A l g a e
( O 2 g e n D a y )
( O 2 c o n N i g h t )
L e t t u c e
( O 2 c o n R o o t z o n e )
O 2 D i f f u s i o n
P h o t o s y n t h e s i s
O 2 g e n D a y
R e s p i r a t i o n
O 2 c o n n i g h t
O 2 c o n = O x y g e n C o n s u m p t i o n
O 2 g e n = O x y g e n G e n e r a t i o n
M e c h a n ic a l / B i o lo g ic a l
F il t e r
( O 2 c o n N i t r i f y i n g B a c t e r i a )
( O 2 c o n M i n e r a l i z a t i o n o f s o l i d s )
O x y g e n D y n a m i c s o f t h e A q u a p o n i c s S y s t e m G H # 3 1 1 8

25. Phosphorus cycle
Phosphorus and
orthophosphate.
Organic P
decomposes and
releases PO4,
taken up by algae
and plants or
adsorbs to clay
particles and
precipitates.
Anaerobic
conditions can re-release
P to water.
Wetland Ecosystem Management

26. Tilapia and other fish
Oreochromis species
Catfish
Koi
Yellow perch and bluegills
Sturgeon and ornamental fish

27. Fish feed as nutrient sources
Fish feed is the basic input for nutrients to
fish and plants
Protein is source of nitrogen for plants
Phosphorus and potassium from fishmeal,
bone meal, or feather meal
Micronutrients from vitamin and mineral
premixes in fish feed

28. UAAQ CEAC
Aquaponic Inputs
Inputs:
– Water
– Star Milling Co.
1/8” Floating Tilapia Feed
– Dolomite 65 Ag
CaCO3 46.0%
MgCO3 38.5%
Ca 22.7%
Mg 11.8%
– Biomins
Biomin Fe+ (5%)
Biomin Mn+ (5%)
Biomin Zn+ (7%)
– Nutrient Content Analysis
CCrruuddee PPrrootteeiinn 3355%%
CCrruuddee FFaatt 55%%
CCrruuddee FFiibbeerr 33..55%%
AAsshh 99%%
FFIISSHH FFEEEEDD
%% NN 55..9977
%% PP 11..5533
%% KK 11..4466
%% CCaa 11..6611
%% MMgg 00..2266
%% NNaa 00..2244
%% SS 00..4466
mmgg//LL CCuu 1155
mmgg//LL ZZnn 114433
mmgg//LL MMnn 9933
mmgg//LL FFee 446611
mmgg//LL BB 1188

29. Organic micronutrients
• Biomins
Biomin Fe+ (5%)
Biomin Mn+ (5%)
Biomin Zn+ (7%)
Biomin Calcium is created using an encapsulation
(chelating) of the mineral calcium with glycine and
natural organic acids.
Biomin Z.I.M is a true amino acid chelated multi-mineral.
The chelating agent is mainly glycine, the
smallest amino acid commonly used by and found in
plants.

30. System design
For fish – tanks vs raceways
For plants – variety
Gravel and sand beds
Floating rafts
Gutters and trays

31. Tilapia and lettuce

32. Lettuce Plant
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
– Butterhead variety
– Quick turnover
5 weeks
– Cultivars
Rex
Tom Thumb

33. Varieties of Romaine and Bibb

34. Data collection and analysis
Light measurements (PAR) Computer monitoring

35. Nutrient Balance
Nutrient Balance
– Feed
32% Protein
2-4% System Biomass
FCR 2:1
– Filtration
Clarifier
Nitrification
– Hydroponics
Nutrient uptake
Water
Water Chemistry
N, TAN, NH4, NO2, NO3, K, P,
Ca, Fe, pH, alkalinity, T, EC

36. Aquaponic Inputs
Inputs:
– Water
– Fish Food
Star Milling Co.
1/8” Floating Tilapia Feed
– Dolomite 65 Ag
CaCO3 46.0%
MgCO3 38.5%
Ca 22.7%
Mg 11.8%
– Biomins
Biomin Fe+ (5%)
Biomin Mn+ (5%)
Biomin Zn+ (7%)
– Nutrient Content Analysis
Crude Protein 32%
Crude Fat 5%
Crude Fiber 3.5%
Ash 9%
FISH FEED
% N 5.97
% P 1.53
% K 1.46
% Ca 1.61
% Mg 0.26
% Na 0.24
% S 0.46
mg/L Cu 15
mg/L Zn 143
mg/L Mn 93
mg/L Fe 461
mg/L B 18

37. pH Oxygen
pH Range Tilapia 6.5-9
– Fish = 6.5 – 8.5
– Plant = 5.0 – 7.5
Diurnal pH Flux
– Reduce shifts to stabilize pH
Shifts can inhibit organism's physiology thus reducing growth
Acidic pH can effect solubility of Fertilizers
– Alkalinity
Optimal: 75-150 mg/L
Stabilizes pH ; provides nutrients for growth
Dissolved Oxygen
– 4 mg/l (ppm)

38. UAAQ CEAC
Methodology
Data Collection
– Fish : Lettuce
Fish FCR
Fish Biomass (1 kg)
Plant Wet/Dry Weight
Plant Height/Diameter
– Lettuce quality
Apogee CCM-200
Chlorophyll Concentration
Index (CCI)
– Relative chlorophyll value
– Compare a cultivar of
lettuce growing in different
systems

39. UAAQ CEAC
Biomass Density
CEAC GH#3118
– Tilapia Density
0.04 – 0.06 kg/L
2% Biomass / day
1.6 – 1.8 kg feed / day
Harvest weight 1kg
– Lettuce
32 plants / m2
6” off center
Harvest head wet weight
150-200 grams

40. UAAQ CEAC
Water Chemistry
Nutrient Deficiency
Succession
– [ Fe+, Mn+, Mo+]
– [Ca+, Mg+]
– [Zn+]
Hydroponic Water
Parameters
– pH 6.5-6.7
– EC 1.5 – 2.0
– DO 4-7mg/L
– T = 23-25oC
Water Chemistry (mg/L)
CEAC
Lettuce
GH#3118
Target
NITROGEN
Ammonia NH3-N 0 0
Nitrate NO3-N 180 50
Boron (B) 0.35 1
Calcium (Ca) 200 60
Copper (Cu) 0.05 0.05
Iron (Fe) 2.4 2
Magnesium (Mg) 40 20
Manganese (Mn) 0.55 0.5
Molybdenum (Mo) 0.05 0.05
PO4-P 50 50
Potassium (K) 198 150
Sulfate (SO4)-S 52 20 100
Zinc (Zn) 0.34 0.3

41. Data and video live on Internet
http://ag.arizona.edu/tomlive/gh3118_idx.html

42. UAAQ CEAC
Environmental Data
Set Points:
– Hydroponic Treatment
Day Tair = 20 - 22oC
Night Tair = 16 - 18oC
TH2O = 23 - 25oC
pH = 6.5 - 6.8
DO = 4 - 7 mg/L
UAAQ 2009 Daily PAR
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12 3/26 4/9
Time
Moles M-2d-1
Exp.1
Exp.2
Exp.3
UAAQ 2009 Environmental Data Exp. 1
2
Mean Daily PAR 19.33 16.60 moles/m2
Total PAR Exp.2 2 924.00 829.82 moles/m2
Mean Night T17.14oC
a a 17.09oC
Mean Day T21.56oC
a a 21.19oC
Daily Mean Ta 19.35oC
Daily Mean Ta 19.14oC
Daily Mean RH% 60.85%
Daily Mean RH% 59.47%
UAAQ 2009 Water Parameters Exp. 1
Mean Water Temperature 24.29oC
pH 6.75
Dissolved Oxygen 5.89 mg/L
Electrical Conductivity 0.97 dS/cm
UAAQ 2009 Water Parameters Exp. 2
Mean Water Temperature 24.22oC
pH 6.73
Dissolved Oxygen 6.74 mg/L
Electrical Conductivity 0.93 dS/cm

43. UAAQ CEAC
Nitrogen Mass Flow
Fish Feed
– % N = 5.97
1800 grams/day
107 grams nitrogen/day
Sludge
– N = 3.38% per g dry weight
5 Liters day produced
Collect dry weight / day
Fish
– 27% nitrogen retention
Lettuce
– Samples to be analyzed
Water
– 40-60 mg/L Nitrate
UAAQ Water Chemstry
NPK
250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12
Time
mg/L
NH3-N
NO3-N
K
PO4-P
Exp.1
Exp.2
Exp.3

44. UAAQ CEAC
Water Chemistry
Macronutrients
– Accumulation reaching steady state
– Calcium and magnesium supplementation
Experiments 2-8
Micronutrients
– Biomin Iron supplementation
Experiment s 4-8
– Biomin Zinc supplementation
Experiments 5-8
– Biomin Manganese supplementation
Experiments 6-8
UAAQ Water Chemistry
Macronutrients
250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12
Time
mg/L
SO4-S
Ca
Mg
UAAQ Water Chemistry
Micronutrients
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12
Time
mg/L
B
Cu
Fe
Mn
Mo
Zn
Exp.1
Exp.2
Exp.3
Exp.1
Exp.2
Exp.3

45. UAAQ Exp. 2
Aquaponics vs. Hydroponics
Hydroponic Solution
– Nitrogen uptake
– Experiment 2 Data
40-60 mg/L NO3-N
10-20 mg/L P
100+ mg/L K
UAAQ 2009 Water Chemistry
H1 Primary Nutrients
250
200
150
100
50
0
Feb-09 Mar-09
Time
mg/L
NH3-N
NO3-N
K
PO4-P
UAAQ 2009 Hydroponics Water
H2 Primary Nutrients
250
200
150
100
50
0
Feb-09 Mar-09
Time
mg/L
NH3-N
NO3-N
K
PO4-P

46. Arizona Aquaculture Website
ag.arizona.edu/azaqua

47. What’s needed next?
Investment in production
and more research
Best technologies of ag
and aquaculture
Limited governmental
regulation
Trained production staff
and semi-skilled farming
staff