Designing an Aquaponic Greenhouse for an Urban Food

Ponics Pump

PP12005

EcoPlus

728310

Ponics Pump

PP29105

Hydrofarm

AAPW550

Hydrofarm

AAPW1000

Average User

Rating

(4 / 5) (4.2 / 5) (4.3 / 5) (4.6 / 5) (4.6 / 5)

Gallons Per Hour

(GPH)

120 GPH 396 GPH 291 GPH 550 GPH 1000 GPH

Adjustable Flow

Rate

Inline Option

Filter

Static Head 4 ft. 6 ft. 6 ft. 3" 7.9 ft. 12.13 ft.

Rated Output

Pressure

N/A N/A N/A 3.5 PSI 4.9 PSI

Recommended

Tank Size (gallon)

20 40 30 55 100+

Weight N/A 2 lbs. N/A 3 lbs. 4.5 lbs.

Dimensions (L x W

x H)

1.97" x 1.73"

x 1.26"

8.6" x 5.7" x 4" 3.50" x 2.80" x

3.27"

7.9" x 5.5" x

4.5"

9.4" x 5.3" x
5.1"
Price $30 $26 $46 $50 $70
Table 22. Different Water Pumps

The recommended pump is the Hydrofram 1000 because it is powerful, it has a relatively high static
head without losing pressure and also has a variable flow rate that is very important in case we change
water tank configuration. The pump has also a filter and we can connected it inline. In our system this
specifications are important because we can change the configuration

4.4 Operating Schedule

Aquaponic Greenhouses require an ambient temperature of approximately 70F to support the
ecosystem present. The constraints that the climatic conditions here in Worcester present are very
limiting. The average low for the months of January and February are below 20F. This makes operation
in the winter months very questionable. The following table is a tentative schedule that attempts to
maximize profitability of the green house by closing it down during the colder winter months. An
organized schedule of the greenhouse is important for maintenance and will also help to educate others
about the difficulties faced in managing an eco-system in this cold climate region.

Month Additional Comments

January "Sales of Winter Crops" - High Cost of Heating

• Lack of Natural Sunlight


• Plants will include lettuce and
  leafy vegetables
  February Prepare seedling beds - High Cost of Heating


• Lack of Natural Sunlight
  March (Assume we start the
  greenhouse at this month)

Begin Planting Seedlings

Stock Fish

• Risk of Frost still Present (Very
  Dangerous to Seedlings)