Fab Labs. Advanced made simple.
Local Solutions for local problems.
Posted by James Akumu | For Fab Academy
Final Project
![](images/aquaponics2.jpg)
My final project is to design an automated family size aquaponics system. Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment.
![](images/aquaculture.jpg)
Aquaculture is a method of farming aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, etc.
![](images/hydroponics.jpg)
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water without soil.
![](images/aquaponics.jpg)
Aquaponics is a form of sustainable agriculture that blends aquaculture with hydroponics, and is beneficial to both the plants and the fish. The waste from the fish is used by the plants as fertilizer, thus cleaning the water for the fish. Clean water from the plants is returned to the fish and the cycle begins again.
Systems And Cycles
![](images/aquaponics cycle.jpg)
Maintaining this cycle, is the key to a successful aquaponics operation. Automating both the pumping and the water quality testing systems, to notify the operator of pump failure or change in Ph levels, will help prevent unnecessary losses in fish and plant yeilds.
![](images/water_flow.jpg)
![](images/aquaponic31.jpg)
These are the basic design setups for most family size aquaponic systems. These systems can be scaled up or down.