Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone. I am investigating the possibility of starting a commercial operation in Canada. The biggest factor is energy because of the climate we need to heat our systems on a large scale. Solar is not viable where I live (pacific west coast) because we rarely have clear sunshine especially in the winter. I was wondering if anyone had looked into or has tried using the fish/veg/algae waste materials to produce methane or Bio-gas? My hope is to produce enough methane to produce steam which I can heat the greenhouse (through the use of a condenser/heat exchanger) with as well as create electricity enough to sustain my pumps and lights. I know I could just pump the gas to a generator but it is my understanding that steam is a more efficient route than an internal combustion engine. Any thoughts comments etc greatly appreciated. Maybe we can all save this way!!

Methane bio-digesters have been around for a long time.... but they still need xxx amount of inputs.. to produce yyy amount of methane...

You need to determine if you can supply enough "fuel"... to produce enough "fuel"... to produce enough "heat".. to acheive what your aims are...

And whether it's cost effective compared to other methods... or just a supplementary cost saving... acheived through waste reclaimation...

Time will tell There have been studies done the found that adding spirulina maxima to cellulose materials in a digester doubled the methane production so that is why I want to try this. On further investigation it would be easier just to use the methane in a non-pressurized hot water boiler and run a closed loop heat exchanger to heat the water. Hydrogen can also be produced in the algae extraction, which could run a generator for power. I know its all a "what if" scenario but given today's energy costs and global warming it would be best if we all keep an open mind and explore every possible way to save and produce our own energy. The costs involved in establishing such a system on a small scale for commercial greenhouses could easily be recouped in energy savings over a few years if you were saving 25-30% (actual results may be higher) of your energy costs. the cost of growing algae can be really low and it is possible to harvest it daily. Spirulina in itself is also a good cash crop selling for anywhere from $10-$20 A Pound for its nutritional value.

Look up 'The Urban Farmer Guys' on youtube, sorry I can't provide a link 'cause I'm on my phone right now, they're doing something of the sort!