The amount of electricity aquaponics uses varies from one region to another. Those who have winter will use more electricity because they are compelled to use tank heaters for their fish and plants. On the other hand, practitioners in the tropics do not have to deal with such a challenge.
Why is aquaponics becoming popular?
Over the years, aquaponics has gained popularity among entrepreneurs, farmers, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, environmentalist groups, government bodies, gardening gurus, etc. This recognition that aquaponics receives can be attributed to the fact that it offers numerous benefits. Check them out below:
Plants grow fast in aquaponics. - Aquaponic plants develop three times faster than soil plants when nutrients and an oxygen-rich environment are directly provided to their roots. The plants' flavor is also improved because they have more time to focus on healthy growth rather than expanding their root system searching for water.
Better growing conditions for fish and plants - Unlike many fish acquired from the sea, the fish you cultivate are pollution-free. This situation also applies to vegetable and herb produce; you have complete control over what enters the system. All of the produce grown in an aquaponics system is beneficial to one's health.
Localization of food - Long-distance transportation of food consumes enormous amounts of energy and gas, pollutes the environment, and increases the region's carbon footprint. Also, such a situation implies more hands touching the food items, more refrigeration in many locations, more packaging, increased food safety issues, and less nutritious food because it has been out of the field for days or weeks. Due to aquaponics, food can be grown with the community. This implies greater nourishment because the foods we receive are fresh and less of the drawbacks associated with long-distance travel.
Use of synthetic chemicals is lessened if not eradicated - There are extremely few bugs to manage when an aquaponics system is put up within a greenhouse or insect mesh. Due to the possibility of fewer chemicals being introduced, you may expect clean, non-toxic, totally organic produce. Pesticides are particularly harmful to fish and should not be used in aquaponics.
What components of aquaponics run on electricity?
Pumps - Water pumps are essential for ensuring that the water in an aquaponic system circulates appropriately to maximize the system's efficacy. Their primary function is to circulate the water so that both plants and fish acquire the nutrients they require.
Aerators - In aquaponics, an air pump is utilized to provide oxygen to your fish and plant roots. Failure to provide enough air for your aquaponics system will result in root rot and other issues.
Coolers - These devices you use to lower the ambient and water temperature.
Heaters - These are equipment designed to adjust the temperature of the surroundings in case it drops to the preferred degrees.
Propagators - These are small incubators used to raise seedlings in the best possible conditions. They usually consist of a transparent cover and an undertray filled with a growing medium. This effectively generates a small greenhouse that allows light while retaining moisture and heat.
Lights - These are electric lights that aid in the growth of plants. Grow lights may try to replicate the sun's light spectrum or give a more customized range to the demands of the plants being developed.
What is the total electricity consumption of aquaponics?
A particular 2015 study about energy and water usage in small-scale raft aquaponics gives us an idea about the total kWh usage of aquaponics in a month. Based on the research paper, the total electricity use in 2013 and 2014 was 10,903 kWh and 10,844 kWh, respectively, with monthly variations due to seasonal temperature changes. In 2013 and 2014, total energy costs were $2035 and $2074, respectively. This result was calculated using a USD 0.10 per kWh pricing.
Now, this total may vary with your particular country since every nation has its kWh pricing. To date, the global average price for household users is 0.136 US dollars per kWh, while the price for business settings is 0.124 US dollars per kWh.
Another consideration would be the location of your country. If you live near the tropics, there is not much need to use water heaters compared with those who experience the winter season. Apparently, this entails a lower electricity consumption.
How to protect an aquaponics system when there is a power failure?
The primary components of an aquaponic system, such as the water and air pump, rely primarily on the stability of the power source to keep the system running.
When a power outage occurs, an aquaponic system can be protected by keeping a backup supply on standby to keep the system running. To give dissolved oxygen and maintain water circulation for the plants and fish, both the air pump and the water pump should be maintained running.
Another option to consider is using solar energy to operate the electrical devices within the aquaponics system. You can run those heaters, pumps, and aerators by installing solar panels, even if you are not plugging these devices into your electrical outlets.
Is it possible to build an aquaponics system without electricity?
The Chinampas
An electricity-free aquaponics is possible, but this will not be as efficient as those that run with electronic devices. In discussing the history of aquaponics, I mentioned the Aztecs, whose agriculture system serves as a precursor to modern-day aquaponics.
The Aztecs made use of floating gardens to cultivate their plant foods. These floating beds are known as Chinampas.
Chinampas are artificial islands made by piling mud from the bottom of a small swamp to form islands with clear canals running between them in swampy locations.
The islands need to be surrounded by flora to keep the mud in place. The roots have evolved to thrive in marshy environments, and they form a dense enough tangle to keep the muck in place.
Edible fish can be cultivated in canals. If you reside in a swamp, raising fish is essential since they are the most effective way to kill mosquito larvae.
Rice-Fish Farming
A rice-fish system is a combined rice field or rice field/pond complex in which rice and fish are farmed simultaneously or alternately. Fish may be intentionally stocked (fish culture), enter fields naturally when flooding occurs (rice field fisheries), or combine the two.
By keeping field gates open and bunds low, wild fish can be encouraged to enter rice fields. Catfish and eels can be lured by putting trees in the field that give the fish shelter or buffalo or cow skins to attract catfish and eels.
Netting, hooking, trapping, harpooning, pitching nets, or emptying rice fields can all be used to catch wild fish. Fish may be diverted into neighboring trap pond areas as water levels fall, where they can be kept alive until needed.
As you can see, aquaponics without electricity is possible, but you are only operating on its fundamental principles, such as integrating fish in cultivating fruits and vegetables.
For many growers, one of the things to consider in adopting an aquaponic project is how much money they will use. Electricity usage is one factor to ponder. You gained much information on how much electricity an aquaponics system utilizes through this article. By now, you should have an idea about how you can properly maintain your chosen aquaponics system.
