In April a new system for aquaponics was taken into use by PCG, a Belgian trial centre. In this system the nutrient-rich water from fish farming is used for the fertigation of tomato plants.
The launch of this new system was preceded by months of designing and building. PCG’s experiences in recent years with fish tanks under the tomato gutters served as the basis for this design.
Special about the new system are the nine individual water recirculation systems in the aquaculture and horticulture areas. As a result, three treatments can be tested in three repetitions. To make this possible, the system consists of:
Aquaculture area
- 9 fish tanks in an isolated area outside the conservatory;
- 9 drum filters for automatic mechanical water treatment;
- 9 bio filters for biological water treatment;
- 9 catch basin for nutrient-rich process water.
Water technical area
- Fertilizer unit with three selections A and B basins, acid base and dietary element basin;
- 9 daily stocks;
- Chlorine dioxide dosage installation for water sanitation based on online measurement.
Horticultural area
- 9 hanging gutters for substrate cultivation of tomatoes under glass;
- 9 drip systems controlled by the climate computer;
- 9 catch basins for drainage water.
In the upcoming months PCG will conduct tests for this project to investigate the effect of the use of fishing water on the accumulation of sodium in the root environment in tomatoes.
Read more about the project here.