sam houston state university - aquaponics project

What’s He Doing Over There?

The aquaponics project at SHSU

Self-IntroductionLived and worked abroad most of my adult life

Mexico, China

Have had many professions, teacher, lecturer, TV star, radio host…..

Speak English, Spanish and Chinese

I have a beautiful 11 year-old daughter named Emily, and a wonderful wife of 13 years named Thelma.

Me at my last lecture

AQUAPONICS

Topic Introduction

Part One: What is aquaponics?Part Two: My AP JourneyPart Three: SHSU Project

Define APHistorical vs Modern AP

Types of AP SystemsImportance of AP

Part One

The Definition of Aquaponics

Aquaculture Hydroponics

Fish FertilizePlants Filter

The Aquaponics circle of life

Fish FertilizePlants Filter

Historical AP

Where have you seen this symbol before?

Old-School Aquaponics - Chinampas

Aquaponics supported one of the largest cities in the world

“appear so wonderful… that even we who have seen these things with our own eyes, are yet so amazed as to be unable to comprehend their reality.

Hernando Cortez

Chinampas

Historical AP = Fish + Rice + Ducks

At least 1200 year history in southern China

68% less chemical pesticide use and 24% less chemical fertilizer (ZheJiang University)

"globally important agriculture heritage system“ (FAO United Nation)

Carp Tales

Chinese love carp…. Americans, not so much.

Apparently American animals also don’t like carp They love bass or perch

Historical vs. Modern

Began in the late 1960’s “is often attributed to the various works of the New Alchemy Institute and the works of Dr. Mark McMurtry et al. at the North Carolina State University.” (Wikimedia Corp.)

Modern version is active (historical passive)

Involves continuous recirculation with a pump

Modern materials – tank and growing media are separate.

Importance of AP

Requires little energy Processes fish waste (instead of dumping it)Sustainable

3 Modern SystemsMedia Filled BedsNutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

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3 Types of Modern Aquaponics Systems

July 22, 2012

Media Filled Beds1.Simple Flood2.Flood and Drain

(also called ebb and flow)

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3 types of Modern Aquaponics Systems

July 22, 2012

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

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3 types of Modern Aquaponics Systems

July 22, 2012

(DWC) Deep Water Culture• Grown in net

pots• Floating rafts• Roots are

constantly exposed to water

Part One

Part TwoMy personal aquaponics journey…..

What and Why…. aquaponics?

People invent many things because they are

lazy.

Part Two

Flavio PelayoMy father-in-law, and Mexican mechanical engineer

My first intro to AP – System 1.0

I’m lazy….Hated cleaning out my fishtank….

Biological and plant filtration

With lucky bamboo!

My 60 cent maid refused to help!

Small-Scale (aquarium) System 1.2

From lucky bamboo to tomatos and an herb garden

System 1.3 and beyond

I dreamed of bigger and better things…..

Part Two

Part ThreeBigger and better The SHSU

system…..

The journey to the SHSU system…..

SHSU AQUAPONICS SYSTEMTHE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT

Part Three

Photos Used

Without Permission

Special thanks to Mrs. FreyAnd Mr. Coogler

Independent Study

Industrial Technology Design, build and test a working aquaponics system in

the SHSU greenhouse.DesignBuilt

How Does it Work?

How does the system operate

Media Filled Beds

Design… Build… Operate

Buttercrunch – Week 0 Buttercrunch – Week 3

3 Week Growth

Chard – Week 0 Chard – Week 3

3 Week Growth

Basil / Kale – Week 0 Basil / Kale – Week 3

3 Week Growth

Tomatoes– Week 0 Tomatoes – Week 3

3 Week Growth

Peppers– Week 0 Peppers – Week 3

3 Week Growth

3 Week Overall

Things I’ve Grown

Part OnePart Two

Part Three

What… Why…. Of Aquaponics…

My journey in AP – Leading to the SHSU project

The SHSU project…..

Part Four - You

Thank You

The End