Commercial Aquaponics

Ken Semmens

Matthew Ferrell

This presentation
is intended to help you understand
more about aquaponics on a
commercial scale.
Examples Business Model
Production System
University of the Virgin Islands Recirculating
Aquaculture System
Flowing Water System at Reymann Memorial Farm

Business Model
Restaurant, Farm Market, System Sales
Rob Nash
Commercial system
Started as tilapia, but it was found to energy intensive in the
winter

Sells at local farmers market, contracts with restaurants

2-3 dollars a head lettuce, sells kale, peppers, and tomato's as
well

Brings lettuce still attached to net pots and roots

His farmers market activities drive system sales

Business Model
Retail and System Sales

Nate Story- Zip Grow Towers

Commercial Vertical system
Aim is to locate very close to city
markets
Sell live products in store
Use as much space as possible within
grow house
At one point used tilapia, but has
moved on to non food fish

Business Model
Off the farm, grocery, and franchises

Marc Laberge from Quebec (http://www.culturesaquaponiques.com/team.htm).

He raises rainbow trout and lettuce. He sells about
$1000 worth of smoked trout a week and 6,800
heads of lettuce. He has survived for 8 years just
doing production. Now he sells franchises.

Business Model
Wholesale , CSA , tours and education

Green Acre Aquaponics

Based on modified UVI system
Been in operation 3 years
Supplement their organic wholesale food and CSA
products
Large percent of income directly related to their teaching.
Commercial guide cost $995
Classes are $1295 per person

Growhaus - Variation on the UVI Design

Hybrid System
25% Beds with substrate
75% Rafts

Plants primary
Fish secondary

Tilapia
Fingerlings

Tilapia
grow out
Settle solid
waste

Substrate

Reservoir

Pump

3rd raft
channel

2nd raft
channel

1st raft
channel

Growhaus - Denver

Growhaus - Denver

Tilapia
Fingerlings

Tilapia
grow out
Settle solid
waste

Substrate

Reservoir

Pump

3rd raft
channel

2nd raft
channel

1st raft
channel

Business Models
Nonprofit, Educational and Agri-tourism

Will Allens Growing Power

Is a multi disciple agriculture
learning center

Aquaponics is a small part of the

system
Charge for tours and sell produce
Use mostly volunteer labor and
internships
Many paid positions are grant
funded or through Americorps.

Business Model
Nonprofit - contributors

Foundation

City of Chicago Community

Development Grants

Administration
City of Milwaukee, Community
Development Grants

Administration
Clif Bar Family Foundation
Community Benefit Trust Fund
Cream City Foundation Joseph R. Pabst LGBT

Infrastructure Fund
Critical Mass Leadership
Education

Dagoba Organic Chocolate

David & Julia Uihlein

Charitable Foundation
Farm Aid
First Unitarian Society of
Milwaukee
GE Foundation Matching Gifts
The Goggio Family Foundation

After School Matters

Allen Foundation

Andrah Foundation, Ruth Knoll

Anonymous Family Foundation

Bayshore Community
Foundation Fund
Bradshaw Knight Foundation
Brewers Community

Foundation, Inc.

Brico Fund
Bruce and Muriel Hach
Scientific Foundation

C.G. Schmidt Construction

Company

Ceres Foundation

Chicago Community Trust,

Searle Family Fund

Chicago Department of Family

and Support Services

Chicago Police Department

Force for Good
Chicago State University

Greater Milwaukee
Foundation
Greater Milwaukee
Foundation, Henry & Mary
Franke Idea Fund
Greater Milwaukee
Foundation, Frank Kirkpatrick
Fund
Greater Milwaukee
Foundation, Kopmeier Family
Fund
Greater Milwaukee
Foundation, Walter and Olive
Stiemke Fund
Green Bay Packers Foundation
H.H. Camp Foundation
Headwaters Foundation for
Justice Young Donors Circle
Fund

Business Model
Nonprofit - contributors

Helen Bader Foundation

Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation
Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
J.R. Albert Foundation
Kohls Stores A-Team
LaSalle Bank
Lawson Valentine Foundation
L.E. Phillips Family Foundation, Inc.
Liberty Property Trust
Linda and Jock Mutschler
Foundation
Lubar Family Foundation - Sheldon
& Marianne Lubar Charitable Fund
Manaaki Foundation
Medical College of Wisconsin,
Healthier Wisconsin Partnership
Program
Meshewa Farm Foundation
Miller Brewing Company
Milwaukee Area Workforce
Investment Board
Milwaukee County Community
Development Block Grant
National Education Association

Foundation

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Patrick and Anna Cudahy Fund

Parkways Foundation

Richard and Ethel Herzfeld

Foundation

Rotary Club of Mitchell Field

Charitable Foundation
Scotts Miracle Grow

Service Club of Milwaukee

Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
St. Pius Congregation
State of Wisconsin Office of Energy
Independence
The 11-10-02 Foundation

The Barnwood Foundation

The Cleveland Foundation
The Community Foundation
Serving Boulder County

The E-Z Coffee Stand

The Gardner Foundation
The J.M. Kaplan Fund
The John D. and Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation
The McCormick Foundation

The Monches Foundation

The Robert R. McCormick
Foundation
The Seed Fund
University of Wisconsin Extension
USA for Africa
US Environmental Protection
Agency Environmental Justice
Grants Program
USDA Community Food Projects
USDA Farmers Market Promotion
Program
The following businesses and
individuals have contributed their
time, money, and materials:
Growing Power's Board of
Director's and the Chicago Advisory
Board for their guidance and
generosity with their time
Will Allen, Milwaukee

Business Model
Nonprofit - contributors

Joan Jacobs, Milwaukee

Alterra Coffee
Jonathans Bagel,
Milwaukee
Avec, Chicago
Lakefront Brewery,
Blackbird, Chicago
Milwaukee
Bleeding Heart Bakery,
Kitchen Chicago, Chicago
Chicago
Magilo's Produce,
Breadsmith Bakery,
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Columbia College, Chicago Elizabeth Malone,
Milwaukee
Dagoba Organic Chocolate
Marburg,
Dave Ditscheit, Milwaukee Arthur
Milwaukee
First Slice Cafe, Chicago
Marcus Corporation,
Floriole Bakery, Chicago
Milwaukee
Fraiche Kitchen, Chicago Outpost Cooperative,
Get Me Greg's, Chicago
Milwaukee
Gino's Deli & Catering,
The Publican, Chicago
Milwaukee
Red Hen Bread, Chicago
Goodness Greeness,
Seedling Fruit, Michigan
Chicago

Sendik's Grocery,
Milwaukee
The Signature Room,
Chicago
The Simple Soyman,
Milwaukee
Sprecher Brewery,
Milwaukee
Sunday Dinner, Chicago
Dave Swanson, Milwaukee
Vella Cafe, Chicago
Whole Foods, Chicago
Wild Flour Bakery,
Milwaukee

Take home message:

Currently aquaponics is a viable business that seems
to require diversification of products and services.
It is difficult, though possible, to run a farm with
revenue from the produce alone.

Reymann Memorial Farm (WVU)

Cold Flowing Water System
Wardensville, WV

Cold Flowing Water System

Spring

Trout
Raceway

Aquaponic
Channel
with rafts

Polishing
Pond

Discharge
to Stream

Facility Components at Reymann Memorial Farm

Greenhouse
Plants adapted to cool root zone:
Watercress
Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Kale
Kohlrabi
Broccoli
Cabbage
Nasturtium
Calendula
Dianthus
Mums

High Tunnel

Reymann Memorial Farm (WVU)

Nutrient levels low, do not accumulate
Seeking to determine what grows well and rates of
production
First goal - product value, second goal - improve
water quality.
More information on this work covered in Research
Update part of todays program.

UVI -best known, most well researched

aquaponic production system

Diagram from Recirculating Aquaculture Systems by Timmons et al 2002, pg 637. NRAC pub 01-002

Slides from Plant Production Presentation at the 2012

Aquaponics Association Meeting

James Rakocy,
PhD
Director/Consultant of The Aquaponics Doctors
http://theaquaponicsdoctors.com/
Formerly:
AES Director, Professor of Aquaculture at University of the Virgin Islands
Pioneered Aquaponics research and development.

Nutrients Required for Plant Growth

Macronutrients

C
O
H
N
K
Ca
Mg
P
S

Carbon*
Oxygen*
Hydrogen*
Nitrogen
Potassium**
Calcium**
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Sulfur

Micronutrients

Cl
Fe
Mn
B
Zn
Cu
Mo

Chlorine
Iron**
Manganese
Boron
Zinc
Copper
Molybdenum

* Supplied by CO2 and H2O ** Must be supplemented

Rakocy 2012

Production Methods
Staggered

Allows weekly harvests

Facilitates market development
Maintains uniform nutrient uptake
Batch
Easier management
Can deplete nutrients

Rakocy 2012

Seedling Production
Greenhouse

or shade house

Protected area
Keep

it clean

Metal tables
Install drain if concrete floor
Weed barrier if gravel floor
Planting

media and dead plant material can

harbor
insects and disease
Rakocy 2012

Planting Media
Soilless

potting mix
Coir (coconut fibers) + Vermiculite
60% + 40% mix
Free from pythium
Requires fertilizer supplementation
Labor required to prepare mix

Rakocy 2012

Planting Media
Peat

potting mix (i.e.

Promix BX)
Inexpensive
Readably available
Contains micronutrients
for seedling growth
Can have pythium
spores

Jiffy

peat pellets

Expensive
Easy to use
Can have pythium
spores

Oasis root cubes

Expensive
Requires additional
nutrients
Dries out quickly in
greenhouse

Rockwool
Expensive
Non-biodegradable

Rakocy 2012

Seedling Production

Fill flat with mix

Seed at required depth for plant variety
Automatic seeder for small and surface planted seeds
Cover flat until seeds germinate
Many seeds germinate better in the dark
Keeps mice from stealing seeds
Keeping covered too long causes seedlings to elongate
and have weak stems
Water as needed
Some seeds prefer dryer conditions than others
Use mist nozzle for first week
Fertilize 2-3 times weekly
Rakocy 2012

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Watering Equipment
Hozon

Siphon Mixer

1:16 proportioning device

Rakocy 2012

NPK Nitrogen, Potassium,

Phosphorous
N

- Nitrogen - shoots
P - Phosphorous - roots
K - Potassium - flowers and fruit
Use

9-45-15 for seedling production

Promotes strong root formation

Rakocy 2012

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Deep Flowing Channels

Six

channels
100 ft x 4 ft x 16 in
Total water volume
18,000 gallons
3 hr retention time
72 rafts
8 ft x 4 ft
Growing area
2304 ft2
Rakocy 2012

Raft Preparation
Closed-cell

polystyrene (Dow blue board, not

scored)
Dow Styrofoam Square Edge Extruded
4 ft x 8 ft x 1.5 in
Paint
White, latex, non-toxic, roof paint
Plant holes 1.87 in
Use template for spacing
Spacing varies for vegetable variety
Net pots: 2 in x 2 in
Rakocy 2012

Rakocy 2012

Production Management
pH

maintained at 7.0

KOH
Ca(OH)2
Chelated

iron

2 ppm (mg/liter)
Chelated iron is 13% pure so multiply by 7.7
(i.e., 15.4 mg of product gives 2 mg of iron)
Manage

net tanks with cleaning schedule to

control nitrate levels
Biological pest control
Rakocy 2012
Integrated pest management

Rakocy 2012

Rakocy 2012

Lettuce
High

nitrogen levels promotes leafy growth

Short production cycle generates steady
cash flow
Strong demand

Rakocy 2012

Lettuce Production Cycle

Greenhouse Phase

Week 1
Day 0: seed
Week 2
Day 7: thin flat
Day 7, 10, 13: fertilize
Week 3
Day 14, 16, 19:
fertilize

Aquaponic System Phase

Week 4
Day 21: transplant to
aquaponic system
Day 23, 26: spray with BT
Week 5
Day 30, 33: Spray with BT
Week 6
Day 37, 40: Spray with BT
Week 7
Day 42, 45: Spray with BT
Day 49: Harvest
Rakocy 2012

Rakocy 2012

Lettuce Harvest Procedures

Move sheets with mature plants to one end of the raft
Lift sheets to harvesting stand or harvest in place
Cut off lettuce stalk with a sharp knife and remove
lower poor quality leaves
Discard any poor quality lettuce
Pack 24 lettuce heads to a box
Weigh several randomly selected boxes minus the
empty box weight to calculate total harvest weight and
average weight per head of lettuce.
Count box to determine total lettuce number and
percentage of marketable yield

Rakocy 2012

Lettuce Harvest Procedures

Lettuce

that is not distributed immediately should

be stored in a moist refrigerated room
Surface of the sheets should be washed with
dechlorinated water to remove any dead leaves
and quickly returned to hydroponic tanks
Plants roots and growing media should be
removed from net pots and discarded
Cleaned net pots should be disinfected by soaking
them in water containing bleach, rinsed and then
dried before they are used again.
Rakocy 2012

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Lettuce Production Values

Type
Variety

Romaine Crisphead

Leaf

Bibb

Parris
Island

Montello

Sierra

Boston
Bibb

Density
(plants/raft)

48

60

60

88

Harvest
(cs/sheet)

2.5

2.5

3.67

Value
($/case)

30

25

25

20

Total

60

62.5

62.50

73.4

Leaf Lettuce
Sierra
20/m2,

60 per raft
Staggered production
18 rafts harvested/week
Market value
$1.00/head
Value
$196/m2/year
~$41,900/system/year
Rakocy 2012

Rakocy 2012

Romaine Lettuce
Parris Island
16/m2, 48 per raft
Staggered production
18 rafts harvested/week
Market value
$1.25/head
Value
$157/m2/yearr
~$33,600/system/yearr

Rakocy 2012

Pythium spp.
Root

fungus
No IPM control
Low temperature
reduces growth and
impact of some
Pythium species
Select resistant
varieties

Rakocy 2012

Basil Production
48

plants/sheet
Staggered production
Complete harvest recommended
Cut and come again at 4 week intervals is
alternative
Grow for 3 months
Harvest (cut) three times then remove
Reduces survival and increases pythium
Seedlings
3 weeks in greenhouse

Rakocy 2012

Basil
Genovese

16/m2,

48 per

raft
Market value
$10.00/lb
Value

$515/m2/yr
$110,210/system/yr
Rakocy 2012

Melon Production
2

plants/sheet

Use one side only and allow plants to run on

ground
Plant other side with companion crop

Or construct narrow hydroponic tanks

<

3 month crop
Plants die as melons ripen on the vine
Seedlings
1-2 weeks in greenhouse
Rakocy 2012

Cantaloupe
Jaipur

0.67/m2,

2 per raft
Market value
$3.99 each
Value

Each: $46.28/m2/yr
$9,900/system/yr

Rakocy 2012

Revenue for Various Crops

$/m2/yr

$/ft2/yr

Leaf lettuce (20/m2)

196

18.22

Romaine lettuce
(16/m2)
Basil (16/m2)

157

14.59

515

47.86

Okra (3.7/m2)

15

1.39

Cantaloupe (0.67/m2)

46

4.28

Crop

Rakocy 2012

Plant Pest and Disease Control

No

synthetic chemical pesticides

Biological

IPM

controls used to control insects

to reduce pest pressure

Rakocy 2012

Biological Controls
Dipel
Bacteria
Controls
caterpillars

BotaniGard
Fungus
Controls soft bodied
insects (white flies,
aphids)

Armicarb
Potassium
bicarbonate
Controls fungus,
powdery mildew.
Changes pH of leaf
surface making it
unsuitable for
fungus growth

Rakocy 2012

Application
of Dipel with
gas powered
backpack
sprayer

Rakocy 2012

Soaps and Oils

Coats

insect causing

death.
Kills all insects
Including beneficial
Ladybugs, wasps, bees

Rakocy 2012

Barriers
Shade cloth
Tangle foot

Rakocy 2012

Thank you, Jim, for sharing these

slides.
Questions?