ROUTINE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Below are daily, weekly and monthly activities to perform to ensure that
the aquaponic unit is running well. These lists should be made into
checklists and recorded. That way, multiple operators always know
exactly what to do, and checklists prevent carelessness that can occur
with routine activities. These lists are not meant to be exhaustive, but
merely a guideline based on the systems described here in this
publication and as a review of the management activities.
Daily activities
• Check that the water and air pumps are working well, and clean their inlets from obstructions.
• Check that water is flowing.
• Check the water level, and add additional water to compensate for evaporation, as necessary.
• Check for leaks.
• Check water temperature.
• Feed the fish (2–3 times a day if possible), remove uneaten feed and adjust feeding rates.
• At each feeding, check the behavior and appearance of the fish.
• Check the plants for pests. .manage pests, as necessary.
• Remove any dead fish. remove any sick plants/branches.
• Remove solids from the clarifier and rinse any filters.
• Check that water is flowing.
• Check the water level, and add additional water to compensate for evaporation, as necessary.
• Check for leaks.
• Check water temperature.
• Feed the fish (2–3 times a day if possible), remove uneaten feed and adjust feeding rates.
• At each feeding, check the behavior and appearance of the fish.
• Check the plants for pests. .manage pests, as necessary.
• Remove any dead fish. remove any sick plants/branches.
• Remove solids from the clarifier and rinse any filters.
Weekly activities
• Perform water quality tests for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before feeding the fish.
• Adjust the pH, as necessary.
• Check the plants looking for deficiencies. Add organic fertilizer, as necessary.
• Clear fish waste from the bottom of fish tanks and in the biofilter.
• Plant and harvest the vegetables, as required.
• Harvest fish, if required.
• Check that plant roots are not obstructing any pipes or water flow.
• Adjust the pH, as necessary.
• Check the plants looking for deficiencies. Add organic fertilizer, as necessary.
• Clear fish waste from the bottom of fish tanks and in the biofilter.
• Plant and harvest the vegetables, as required.
• Harvest fish, if required.
• Check that plant roots are not obstructing any pipes or water flow.
Monthly activities
• Stock new fish in the tanks, if required.
• Clean out the biofilter, clarifier and all the filters.
• Clean the bottom of the fish tank using fish nets.
• Weigh a sample of fish and check thoroughly for any disease.
• Clean out the biofilter, clarifier and all the filters.
• Clean the bottom of the fish tank using fish nets.
• Weigh a sample of fish and check thoroughly for any disease.