Aquaponic method and apparatus for use in arid environments

摘要

An aquaponic method and apparatus used to raise fish in fish rearing tanks is combined with hydroponic channels for growing crops, in which fertilizer nutrients from the aquaculture effluent are utilized as fertilizer. The aquaponic method and apparatus produce a first water circulation system during the day in which water is repeatedly cycled from a sump, bypassing fish rearing tanks, to a clarifier for removing solids, a degasifier for removing volatile compound, then to the hydroponic channels, and then, back from the hydroponic channels to the sump. The aquaponic method and apparatus also produce a second circulation system during the night in which water is repeatedly cycled from the sump to the fish rearing tanks, from the fish rearing tanks to the clarifier, then from the clarifier to the hydroponic channels and then back from the hydroponic channels to the sump.

主权项

1. An aquaponic system, comprising:
fish rearing tanks, a clarifier for removing solids, a water sump, hydroponic channels for raising plants, a first fluid flow path connecting the fish rearing tanks and sump to the clarifier, a second fluid flow path connecting the sump to the clarifier in bypassing relationship to the fish rearing tanks, a third fluid flow path from the clarifier to the hydroponic channels, wherein the third fluid flow path is devoid of the water sump, a fourth fluid flow path connecting the hydroponic channels with the water sump, and a valve arrangement, wherein said valve arrangement has a first operating mode which creates a first water circulation path in which water is repeatedly cycled from the sump to the clarifier via the second fluid flow path, then from the clarifier to the hydroponic channels and back from the hydroponic channels to the sump via the third and fourth fluid flow paths, respectively; and wherein said valve arrangement has a second operating mode which creates a second water circulation path in which water is repeatedly cycled from the sump to the fish rearing tanks and to the clarifier via said first fluid flow path, then from the clarifier to the hydroponic channels and then back from the hydroponic channels to the sump via the third and fourth fluid flow paths, respectively, and further comprising a device structured to maintain a pH of the water in the first operating mode at a lower level than the pH of the water in the second operating mode, wherein the device is structured to add phosphoric acid to the water only during operation of said valve arrangement in the first operating mode in an amount for maintaining the pH of the water in a range of 5.5-6.5, and for stopping the addition of the phosphoric acid to the water prior to the end of the first operating mode such that, by the beginning of the second operating mode, the water reverts to a pH of at least 7.0from the pH in the range of 5.5-6.5.