Desk Top Aquaponics system

thingiverse

The main objective of this project is to discover the minimum size of an aquaponic system that can still operate efficiently as a single unit. Aquaponics combines fish farming and hydroponics in a unified system where both plants and fish thrive together. The waste produced by the fish serves as a natural fertilizer for the plants, while the plants naturally purify the water for the fish. Two primary types of aquaponic systems exist: horizontal and vertical. Both are efficient, but the vertical type requires less space. A vertical aquaponics system is a compact and water-efficient way to cultivate vegetables in columns above a fish tank. This method allows for about twice as many plants as a hydroponic system of equal area can produce. One five-foot tower can yield more than 200 heads of lettuce per year, making it an attractive option for space-constrained areas. By harnessing the power of fish waste, aquaponics puts this organic fertilizer to work in crops. A small pump draws nutrient-rich water from the fish tank up to the vertical columns. As the water trickles down through plant roots, it absorbs oxygen from the air before returning to the tank. Given its space-saving design, a vertical system is particularly well-suited for urban areas with insufficient space for traditional gardening.