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Aquaponics

Our not-for-profit mission is to incorporate aquaponics mini eco systems into our homes .

We see the following benefits: Healthier communities, Creation of green jobs, Generation of income, Stronger social networks, Alignment with community partners, and Highly Nutritious Organic Food for families.

Basic Aquaponics Setup

Our 1,000 sq ft Personal Size System



Basic Personal Size System

Our 1,000 sq ft personal size system takes Aquaponics to the smallest workable scale with growing space for vegetables, greens and fish. A built in nursery provides for the seed raising requirements for the system. Not limited to a single crop, the system is sized to handle a mix of crops from Kale, spinach, lettuce to tomato and beans. The RAS components also showcase the possibility for high density trout production with the addition of oxygenation. Although a small system the design is capable of year round production under greenhouse fully equipped with environmental control, thermal screens, and the best materials to flourish in the northern winters.


FEATURES:

  • Polycarbonate Greenhouse
  • Propane Heating
  • Thermal screen
  • LED grow lighting
  • Fish tanks (4500 ltrs) x2
  • RFS Filter
  • Drum Filter
  • MBBR Filter
  • Sump Tank
  • HDPE Media beds
  • DWC Steel troughs
  • Work station x1
  • Seedling Raising Rack
  • Oxygen supply system
  • Speece cone


GROW ZONE:

  • • FISH (Rainbow Trout)
  • • 9,000 Litres
  • • 500 kg/yr

 

  • • VEGETABLES (Tomato, Cucumber, Zucchini)
  • • 75 sq ft
  • • 300 kg/yr

 

  • • GREENS (Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Pak Choi)
  • • 80 sq ft
  • • 1,400 kg/yr



Medium Size Family System


Medium Aquaponics Setup

This 2,000 sq ft medium size family Aquaponics greenhouse is truly a family oriented system. It not only provides the best performance numbers to support a family’s dietary requirements for fish and produce, but it also provides scope for a the experience of greenhouse production in its true element. Having a more diverse technological footprint including environmental control through a built in weather station, coupled with mechanized ventilation systems, this greenhouse boasts the most carbon conscious solutions for all season performance. The RAS system design allows for staggered production of medium to large fish for both smoked fillets and whole consumption, with differing growing periods.


FEATURES:

  • Polycarbonate Greenhouse
  • Geothermal thermal battery
  • Thermal screen
  • LED grow lighting
  • Fish tanks (4500 ltrs) x4
  • RFS Filter
  • Drum Filter
  • MBBR Filter
  • Sump Tank
  • HDPE Media beds
  • DWC Steel troughs
  • Wicking beds
  • Work station
  • Seedling Raising Rack
  • Oxygen supply system
  • Speece cone


GROW ZONE:

  • • FISH (Rainbow Trout)
  • • 16,000 Litres
  • • 1,000 kg/yr

 

  • • VEGETABLES (Tomato, Cucumber, Zucchini)
  • • 140 sq ft
  • • 700 kg/yr

 

  • • GREENS (Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Pak Choi)
  • • 300 sq ft
  • • 2,900 kg/yr



Ideal Sustainability Design


Ideal Sustainability Aquaponics Setup

This 5,000 sq ft ideal sustainability design has been perfected in partnership with leading passive solar greenhouse supplier CERES. This model requires no fossil fuel based heating or cooling to maintain environmental suitability. It presents the possibility of expansions as well, but owing to financial feasibility this design is presented in the 5000 sq ft scale. The solar greenhouse also features a photovoltaic array mounted on the roof for energy self-sufficiency. The model works best for off grid production, however requires the availability of a grid connection for baseline balancing the power supplied through the solar inverters. The production environment is catered to suit the thermal dynamics of the greenhouse design. The business case for this style of a system is a rather interesting one, where at least a partial commercial sale is preferred to recover the high initial investment. Although, it is possible to run the system in a self-sufficiency model, in the interest of financial justification of the initial investment it recommended to operate this system as a part commercial and part captive consumption business model. The RAS system featured does have all the industry standard technology to proliferate production that is above market standards. The ponics design certainly takes advantage of the thermal battery environment providing ideal growing conditions in the presence of LED grow lighting.


FEATURES:

  • Passive Solar Greenhouse
  • Solar Panels
  • Thermal Battery
  • Thermal Screen
  • LED grow lighting
  • Fish tanks (12,000 litres) x2
  • RFS Filter
  • Drum Filter
  • MBBR Filter
  • Sump Tank
  • HDPE Media beds
  • DWC Steel troughs, 2 level
  • Work station
  • Seedling Raising Rack
  • Oxygen supply system
  • Speece cone


GROW ZONE:

  • • FISH (Rainbow Trout)
  • • 24,000 Litres
  • • 2,200 kg/yr

 

  • • VEGETABLES (Tomato, Cucumber, Zucchini)
  • • 220 sq ft
  • • 1,000 kg/yr

 

  • • GREENS (Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Pak Choi)
  • • 1,900 sq ft
  • • 20,000 kg/yr



Co-Operative Commercial Design


Co-Operative Commercial Aquaponics Setup

This 10,000 sq ft Co-operative system is a flagship commercial model that stands to generate a revenue of $240,000 annually with an estimated 40% profit possibility and a payback of 4.5 years. It is the perfect co-op prototype that can provide for both community engagement and/or community self-sufficiency. The system features a state of art RAS model which can produce trout consistently through the year. Additionally, it features elaborate growing techniques with the option of integrating vertical growing and microgreens as well. Crop production can be planned weekly making going to the market a consistent pattern. As for temperature control the structure goes the extra mile in utilizing technology to maintain ideal growing conditions throughout the year, coupled with LED grow lighting to maintain flourish under low light conditions as well. Commercial production of fish is also possible for localized consumption both in form of large fish as smoked fillets and plate sized fish for culinary outlets.


FEATURES:

  • Polycarbonate Greenhouse
  • Propane Heating
  • Thermal Blankets
  • LED grow lighting
  • Fish tanks (4,500 litres) x4
  • RFS Filter
  • Drum Filter
  • MBBR Filter
  • Sump Tank
  • HDPE Media beds
  • DWC Steel troughs
  • Work station
  • Seedling Raising Rack
  • Oxygen supply system
  • Speece cone


GROW ZONE:

  • • FISH (Rainbow Trout)
  • • 50,000 Litres
  • • 5,000 kg/yr

 

  • • VEGETABLES (Tomato, Cucumber, Zucchini)
  • • 550 sq ft
  • • 2,400 kg/yr

 

  • • GREENS (Lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Pak Choi)
  • • 3,850 sq ft
  • • 37,000 kg/yr

 

What Does AQUAPONICS Look Like?

From Purdue University, a 15-minute introduction to recommended practices and guidelines for starting a successful Aquaponics operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aquaponics


What is Aquaponics?
In an Aquaponic system fish are farmed in coordination with crops. It's a highly efficient closed-loop system that yields more food than traditional farming with virtually no waste.

It works by creating a healthy symbiotic relationships between plants, fish, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Aquaponics incorporates fish to provide the natural fertilizers and nutrients plants need, eliminating the need to add “food” for the plants.

Fish excrete into the water which is pumped to the plant beds where bacteria help break down the waste so the plants can absorb it. The plants absorb the nutrients and filter the water to be re-used by the fish. The only water added is to replace what the plants take up and from evaporation. Plants typically grow in half the time and are packed with nutrients that out perform most organic farms.
How is it different from Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in a soil-less medium (such as gravel, pelletized clay, etc.) where nutrients are added to the water for the plants to absorb. The system requires the addition of fossil fertilizers or other supplemental nutrients so the plants can grow. Over time, the water quality will decline and will require it to be discharged creating a potential for contamination of streams and other water sources.
Does the produce taste “fishy?”
Produce grown in the aquaponic system DOES NOT taste fishy. Plants absorb the minerals and nutrients that are broken down from fish waste using microbes and worms. The produce tastes the same, if not better than traditionally grown produce.
What Can You Grow Using Aquaponics?
Aquaponics systems are best suited for warm fresh water fish and leafy crops.
FISH: tilapia, carps, barramundi, catfish, koi, angelfish, guppies, tetras, swordfish, mollies, etc.
PLANTS: lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, watercress, chives, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, peas, squash, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, onions, carrots, micro greens etc.
How much space is needed to grow enough food to support myself?
A total of 25 sq ft of grow space will support one person for life.

PFWCES

• Empowering families and communities

• Collaborating with & helping those in real need in today's society

• Supporting self-sustainable and healthier life styles with zero-emission products

Contact Us


[email protected]

+ 416 848 9813

25 Sheppard Ave W
3rd Floor
North York, ON
M2N 6S6

Office Hours


  • Monday - Thursday (9am - 5pm)

  • Friday (9am - 4pm)

    statutory holidays excepted

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