Educational Aquaponics System

FAQs

Do you include seeds for plants? 

Yes, we include a starter package that contains lettuce seeds, germination tray, humidity dome, and rockwool. Additionally, our Educational Aquaponics System User Guide includes suggestions for acquiring your needed materials after the initial starter package is used.   

How long would you say it takes for the growth of the plants and fish? 

Growth time depends on what you’re growing. For instance, lettuce typically can be harvested in approximately 30 days, but it can vary from 25-40 depending on a variety of factors. For fish, the younger your fish are, the longer it will take for them to grow. Within a school year, you should be able to grow fry to fully harvestable fish, though time may vary depending on the fish type.

Can I move the aquaponics system once it’s filled with water?

No, you should not move the system once it’s filled with water. Caster wheels are intended only for moving an empty system. Do not move the system while filled with water. If movement of the system is required, drain it first.

What do you have to do to keep it going, clean, etc.? 

Our aquaponics unit has been built as a learning lab for the aquaponics system, a place where you can learn about the filtration of the fish waste and growth by the nutrients of the fish waste. We have included a black water tank and cover to help prevent algae growth. The tanks have large spickets for water removal and cleaning of the tanks, both fish and plant tanks. We also have sensors included with the product to make sure there are no fully clogged drains. The system’s removable parts are easy to clean.  

If students are on winter or spring break, do they need to feed the fish every day?   

With our system, you can set the timers for the water pump, lights, and fans. Those are all programable. Our product allows you to also add a self-feeder to be able to have the feeding of the fish when you are not around.  

NOTE: We do not include a self-feeder with this product. If you do not purchase one, you will need to feed manually. There are many different self-feeders that you can purchase from various online and in-store options. Most self-feeders will work with the aquaponics system without any issue.   

What are the dimensions of the Educational Aquaponics System?

• Overall Dimension: 38.5” x 22.25” x 76”  
• Shelf Spacing (grow height): 13.25”  
• Weight: 130 lbs.  

What are the best fish for aquaponics systems?  

Tilapia, koi, goldfish, catfish, perch, cod, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and bluegill are ideal for aquaponics system

What do you use to feed the fish? 

There are many different fish foods you can pick. Part of the experience is trying different foods and monitoring/testing the fish growth to find the best ratios and types of food.

For a year’s worth of growing, what should we expect to spend on maintaining these systems?  

This can vary depending on how many plants you grow and how often you harvest them, this is the same for the fish, how many you grow and the harvest rate. On average, with the number of fish we suggest and the number of grow spots, we would say the school year maintain costs would be between $15 and $50 for purchase of the fish (fry), fish food, plant seeds, and any extras that you might need.  

Will we have access to live support once we get these systems?   

Yes, we have great product support resources that can help with your needs. We have video tutorials, FAQs, user guides, and in-person product support help during normal business hours.   

With aquaponics, is there ever an issue with bacteria or fungal growth? 

There can be, this is something you will need to monitor and can check on periodically. This is also part of the learning process. We do include a black fish tank and covered tray for the plants, this helps to reduce any growths especially from algae blooms.   

If we are getting started with the new system, what fish/plant combo do you recommend exploring? 

The product includes a package of lettuce seeds, we suggest starting with lettuce due to its hardy ability to grow in aquaponic/hydroponic systems. When you are looking for fish, there are several options, some of the hardier fish are tilapia, koi, and goldfish, but depending on what your wants and needs are, it could vary to other fish (see question on “What are the best fish for aquaponics systems?”).

Do you recommend purchasing adult fish or buying them as juveniles in these systems? 

It depends on what you are trying to teach. To gain the full experience, you may want to start with fry (baby fish) and grow them from very early stages. However, depending on how and when you start caring for your fish, you may want to start with fish that are older/bigger with.   

Can you have mixed fish species systems? 

You can! There are some fish that work well together and some that are more aggressive to each other, so learning about what fish can work well together is important and a fun research project.  

How do you set the system up?

Setup is easy! The system arrives fully assembled. All you have to do is add water, plug the system in, allow it to run for 24 hours, add your fish, and add your plants.

How many systems would you recommend for a 20-student classroom?

It depends on your budget and how you want to implement the system. In general, we recommend one system for a 20-student classroom.