The nuts and bolts

The FishGlassHouse enables researchers to conduct experiments on both coupled and decoupled aquaponics systems. It consists of an aquacultural unit (300m²) with three different water-circuits (42m³ total water volume) and a hydroponic unit (600m²) built in a Venlo-style greenhouse. Three different fish stocking densities (extensive, semi-intensive and intensive) produce process water of different nutrient loads, which can be transferred to the hydroponic unit. One separate aquaculture unit consists of nine holding tanks (each 1m³) and an attached water treatment installation (mechanical and biological filtration). The hydroponic unit is divided into four cabins of 100m² and two cabins of 50m² for various experiments.

One building, various fields of research

Several current strands of research can be conducted simultaneously in the same building:

• Enhance the economic viability of aquaponics production systems
• Research on the nutrient-balance of fish and plant species combinations
• Identify the reduction potential of using fertilizer in hydroponic plant production
• Study the risk management and prevention of harmful human- and fish‑pathogenic germs
• Search for suitable substrates for plant cultivation in hydroculture
• Analyse the carbon and nitrogen cycle to determine the conversion of gases - this question is not only climate-relevant but ultimately serves to control and optimize production.
• Control quality of products as well as health and safety