Chilli Farm - AQUAPONICS - since 2012
Adrian Nuttall
IT Consultant Developed Payroll systems globally
Chilli Farmer Commercial growing since 2001 Moved to current site in 2006
Build a New Life in the Country Series 2 with George Clark (2006)
Aquaponics convert since 2012 Family Sized Systems Build a New Life in the Country - 2006
Community Sized Systems
Why Aquaponics
Replacing a Hydroponics System Used between 2006 - 2012
Challenges to existing system Bending Expensive Fertiliser Heavy water usage - even in Hydroponics
Advantages of Aquaponics Standing height beds Manageable Raft system Low water usage Cost effective fish food
Key decisions when starting Research, research, research... Upfront investigation will save time and money
Start small and grow You need to test everything you do before scaling up Inside/outside
Media bed, Raft system, NFT‌
What plants
What’s your market
What fish
Focus on costs
Version 1.0 Aquaponics created after 6 years of using Hydroponics
2012
Version 1.0
Trial System created in 2012 Based on “Barrel Ponics� 20l split containers Fish Tank used as Sump Varying water height Separate Filter Tank with Lava Rock End of line Auto Siphon
Lessons Learnt
Negatives End Siphons are difficult Fluctuating water levels are not ideal Tilapia = water heater
Positives Media beds work with small systems Filter tanks improve water quality Tilapia are resilient fish
Version 1.0 Aquaponics created after 6 years of using Hydroponics
2012
Feb 2014
1-2-1 weekend with Antonio at the BioAqua farm
Mar 2014
Melbourne, AUS Learn about IBC Aquaponic systems
Our Research Continued Melbourne IBC - Lindsay
Bioaqua Farm - Antonio
Version 1.0 Aquaponics created after 6 years of using Hydroponics
2012
Feb 2014
1-2-1 weekend with Antonio at the BioAqua farm
Mar 2014
Melbourne, AUS Learn about IBC Aquaponic systems
Apr 2014
Version 2.0 Aquaponics was born...
Version 2.0
Trial System created in 2014 64 square foot Flood & Drain 2 Beds filled with clay balls 100 square foot Raft system Above ground floating rafts 23 Dutch buckets Recycled Fertiliser containers NFT System Created from drain pipe
NFT Downpipe System United Nations: Food & Agriculture Organisation Published later in 2014
EURFE YouTube: Released Feb 2014
Lessons Learnt
Pests Butterflies Aphids Ants
What happens when pumps fail Media beds NFT Raft System
CEFAS Don’t tick “Crayfish”
Version 1.0 Aquaponics created after 6 years of using Hydroponics
2012
Feb 2014
1-2-1 weekend with Antonio at the BioAqua farm
Mar 2014
Melbourne, AUS Learn about IBC Aquaponic systems
Development of Family and Community systems
Apr 2014
Version 2.0 Aquaponics was born...
2016
Single IBC System - Chop & Flip Weekend Project 1 IBC 1 Fish Tank 1 Media Grow Bed No Separate Sump Tank
Family IBC System Weekend Project #2 3 IBC’s 1 Fish Tank 3 Media Grow Beds Sump Tank with 1 Pump
How we operate today Experiment with different plants Compare Growbeds vs Raft Compare plant spacing Keeping records Water quality, nutrients You cannot fix what you don’t measure
Selling our produce We supply the Deli on the Farm Investigating new markets Planning our expansion New Trout raceways Additional Raft systems
Engagement YouTube 35 Videos 2,000+ subscribers 300,000+ views
BAQUA - what it can do for us Chilli Pepper Institute Collecting and sharing knowledge and education Leading the way with research and new ideas Standardising processes and growing techniques
BAQUA ideas... Provide an online facility for sharing Facilitate institutional and corporate research Disseminate results of progress amongst members
BAQUA - what we can do for it Get involved Contribute to the collection of knowledge about Aquaponics Keep asking questions‌ But why‌ How can I...
Spread the word The more people that join - the bigger and more useful the Association will be. Word of mouth and a personal recommendation is the best marketing ever.
UK Aquaponics - where next Is Organic Certification possible What size to be commercially viable What Academic Study is happening Growing Inside or Out What Plants and Fish ROI for a given growing medium
Commercial Farming Bioaqua Farm GrowUp Urban Farms
Research and Development Qualifications
Summary of the approach we have learned Research
Test Build
Start Selling
Expand
Commerc ial
Questions?
Contact details Adrian Nuttall Chilli Farm, Norwich Road, Mendlesham, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5NQ
website www.chillicompany.com
email info@chillicompany.com