Figure 30. Professional Aquaponic Setup
2.3.2.6.4 Conclusion
The more professional setup appeared to be the floating rafter method. This method was
reserved primarily for professional applications or advanced greenhouse setups. While the
setup requires more equipment in the beginning, making this method more costly than the
media, but the way that the system functions, it is easier to maintain and regulate. The floating
rafter method makes for greater growing capacity than the media based design. The media
method of aquaponics seems most fitting in do it yourself home growing. It requires minimal
equipment but does have the flexibility that a floating rafter growing bed has. The floating
rafter method seems to be the most fitting style of bedding for the construction of the IQP
greenhouse.
Media
BasedFloating
Rafter
Initial Setup Cost Low High
Maintenance Ease High Mid
Growing Capacity Low High
Efficiency of
ResourcesMid HighProfessionalism Low High
Table 9. Comparision of growing bed styles
2.3.2.7 Growing Media
To be able to grow the vegetation we will need a support medium. The medium is made usually from
natural earth sources, but we have also artificial and synthetic ones. Different types of plants need
different types of growing media so it's important to pick the right one for the plants that we are
planning to grow. The growing media is specific and it has some crucial roles in the proper growth of
pants and seedlings.