Setup for aquaponics

The procedural layout for aquaponic systems is more or less the same. They consist of rearing tanks for the fish, a drum screen for sludge separation, a fixed-bed reactor for nitrification of the storage water, a buffer tank that is connected between the aquaculture and the hydroculture, and the plant cultivation areas.

Aquaponics is very demanding both operationally and technically, since aquaculture and hydroponics have different requirements with regard to the composition and temperature of the water. Up until now, aquaponics has developed from empirical experience gained from combining different fish and plant species in different facility sizes. About six fish and 120 plant species have come into consideration, depending on what the climatic conditions are. Systems ranging in size from a few square meters to 500 square meters have been described.