Skip Navigation LinksHome > Research > AES > Aquaculture > Application

Agricultural Experiment Station (AES)

Aquaponic Systems - Application


UVI has designed a commercial-scale aquaponic system for the production of tilapia and vegetables 

 

 

 

 

 

 

System Design

  • Four fish rearing tanks, 2,060 gallons each
  • Two cylindro-conical clarifiers, 1,000 gallons each
  • Four filter tanks, 185 gallons each
  • One degassing tank, 185 gallons
  • Six hydroponic tanks, 3,000 gallons each
  • Total plant growing area, 2,300 ft2
  • One sump, 160 gallons
  • Base addition tank, 55 gallons
  • Total water volume, 29,000 gallons
  • Land area – 1/8th acre

 

Tank Dimensions

  • Rearing tanks: Diameter: 10 ft, Height: 4 ft, Water volume: 2,060 gallon
  • Clarifiers: Diameter: 6 ft, Height of cylinder: 4 ft, Depth of cone: 3.5 ft,
  • Slope: 45 degrees, Water volume: 1,000 gallons                                
  • Filter and degassing tanks: Length: 6 ft, Width: 2.5 ft, Depth: 2 ft,             
  • Water volume: 185 gallons                                                          
  • Hydroponic tanks: Length: 100 ft, Width: 4 ft, Depth: 16 inches, 
  • Water volume: 3,000 gallons                                                      
  • Sump: Diameter: 4 ft, Height: 3 ft, Water volume: 160 gallons                     
  • Base addition tank:  Diameter: 2 ft, Height: 3 ft, Water volume: 50 gallons
  • Total system water volume: 29,375 gallons                                          
  • Flow rate 100 gpm
  • Pump: ½ hp
  • Blowers: 1½ hp (fish) and 1 hp (plants)
  • Total land area: 1/8th acre

Operation

Aeration

Feeding

·         A floating polytube manifold contain 22 air stones (6 in x 1.5 in x 1.5 in)

·         Clean air stones every week with high water pressure and replace another set of air stones that has been dried for a week

·         Install manifold loosely so it does not touch tank sides or else feed will accumulate between manifold and side wall

·         Cut threads into manifold and use Teflon tape as nipples are screwed into manifold

·         Use plastic ties or wire for extra security so that a nipple will not dislodge

·         If a nipple pops out, air to the other lines will be cut off and fish can die

 

·         Feed three times daily with floating feed.

·         Use complete diet with 32% protein, ¼ inch pellets

·         Feed ad libitum an amount of feed fish can consume in 30 minutes

·         When fish finish feed faster increase ration by 100 g per feeding

·         If feeding takes longer than 30 minutes, reduce feed ration

·         Aeration around perimeter of tank keeps feed in the middle of tank and it is not splashed out of tank during the feeding frenzy

 

 

Production

  • Tilapia - 5 mt annually , 580 kg every 6 weeks, 160 kg/m3/yr
  • Stocking rate: Niles, 77 fish/m3; reds, 154 fish/m3
  • Leaf lettuce - 1,404 cases annually, 24-30 heads/case,  27 cases/week
  • Basil – 5 mt annually
  • Okra – 2.9 mt annually

 



St. Croix: (340) 778-1620 | St. Thomas: (340) 776-9200
Contact Us | Forms | Publications | Policies | Webmaster | Sitemap
Accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools
Copyright © 2008-2013 University of the Virgin Islands | Site by OmniSystems