FAQ

Questions and Answers for Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems

If you have a question that we have not answered in the list below, please send us your questions or call us, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.  cdavis@portablefarms.com – 760-208-2663

“The number of people living in water-stressed countries is projected to climb from 500 million to three billion by 2025.” – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF IRRIGATION: A REVIEW – Claudio O. Stockle – State of Washington Water Research Center Washington State University

 

UPDATE: TOUR A PORTABLE FARMS™ AQUAPONICS SYSTEM in North San Diego County, California, with 300′ of grow space in a 24’ x 46’ greenhouse which easily feeds 12 adults all the nutritious and organic food they need to remain healthy FOREVER. These adults will need to ‘grow their own’ or purchase root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, etc.) and grains which are not grown in Portable Farms. To book your tour, please CLICK HERE for more information.

Read about the Yield and Return on Investment for planting, growing and selling tomatoes.

Read about the Yield and Return on Investment for planting, growing and selling zucchini.

Read about the Yield and Return on Investment for planting, growing and selling peppers.

Read about the Yield and Return on Investment for planting, growing and selling cucumbers.

Other Yield and Return Articles will Be Posted Soon for other crops.

 

#1 Bestseller - Do-It-Yourself greenhouse plans for your  Portable Farms(TM) Aquaponics Systems or any other project you have. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee on the greenhouse plans.

Click  Here!

 

 

 

 

The price of a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System is based on the size of the farm that you want to build. To receive a FREE AND INSTANTANEOUS PRICE LIST, please provide us with your first name and email address. For a price list and more information for patio-sized PatioPonics Portable Farms™, CLICK HERE. We NEVER SHARE your contact information. The prices quoted on this price list are non-member prices. By joining our discount program, you become eligible for various discounts ranging from 10% to 30%. JOIN NOW and become a Portable Farmer TODAY.

* Email
* First Name
	* = Required Field

Email Marketing by iContact

Question: What does the interior of the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems look like?

Answer:Here is a simplified diagram:

 

Question: How do plants grow in beds of gravel?

Answer: Growing vegetables in a gravel grow-tray table is quite simple. The seeds are planted in small sterile planting medium and when they sprout and grow to about two inches, they’re planted in the gravel in the grow-tray tables. The warm, nutrient-rich water from the fish tanks flows through the gravel at timed intervals. When the roots outgrow the grow medium, they extend into the gravel.

 

 

 

 

Question: How long does it take for a fish to grow before I harvest it?

 

Answer: It takes between 6 1/2 and 8 months from 1″ fingerling sized Tilapia to harvest size, which is 1 1/4 pounds, and around 11 inches in length.

 

Question: What IS a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems?

 

Answer: A Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System is a proprietary combination of hydroponics and aquaculture that can be fully automated and can be solar or wind powered. Water is recirculated through gravel-filled vegetable growing trays and fish tanks, inside a climatically adapted greenhouse or enclosure. The system requires very little space, minimal water replenishment, no soil, no fertilizers, no herbicides, no pesticides, and very little upkeep. It can used to feed a family, a neighborhood or a village with fresh produce and a nutritious mild fish. The Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System is fabricated on your site.

Fish FAQ’s:

Q: What kind of fish does Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System use?

A. Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems recommends the use of the California Hybrid Tilapia, which is an all-male crossbred of Mossambicus and Hornorum Tilapia. This cross is called female fatal because the baby females die within a couple of days. The same number of offspring is produced but only the males survive. This male Tilapia is fertile, but there are no females for them to breed with, so these fish are legal in the state of California because they can’t breed in our water systems. Other types of fish can also be used such as catfish, perch and carp.

Q: How long does it take for a fish to grow before it’s harvested?

A: It takes between 7 1/2 and 9 months from fingerling size to harvest for the Tilapia. At that point, the fish weight 1 ¼ pounds and they are around 11 inches in length. Most other fish take slightly longer to reach harvest size.

Q: What do I feed the fish?

A: There are a variety of commercial feeds available for feeding the fish. Portable Farms Limited suggests soy based chow and strongly supports the use of duckweed and other vegetable matter as feed.  When they fish are small you may need to grind the commercial feed a little finer and then at about 2 to 2 ½ inches in length you can begin to feed them commercial feed as it comes from the bag.

You also need to start the fingerlings on other types of food when they’re young. We recommend duckweed (found at local nurseries which you can start your own system). Duckweed plants are very simple, they float on, or just under, the water surface and have more nutrition by weight compared to other plants. The protein level is 15% to 45% when grown under ideal conditions and duckweed also contains fat, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It is very easy to grow and we recommend you set up a separate duckweed growing area outside the greenhouses.

Q: How warm is the water in the fish tanks and how is temperature maintained?

A: The ideal water temperature is between 78 and 85 degrees F. In cool climates, the Fish Tanks need to be heavily insulated to maintain a constant temperature. In these installations, there is also one (or more) thermostatically controlled electric heaters in the bottom of each Fish Tank to maintain a constant minimum temperature.

Q: What do Tilapia taste like?

A: Tilapia are a very mild, medium textured, low fat, white fish that when cooked, taste like the seasonings that you used to cook them. They take on the flavor of the spices you use.

Q: Is Tilapia a popular fish?

A: YES. According to the National Fisheries Institute’s Top 10 List released in September 2011, Tilapia is ranked as 4th most popular fish: 1) shrimp, 2) canned tuna, 3) salmon, 4) Tilapia, 6) catfish, 7) crab, cod, 9) pangasius 10) clams.

 

Q: How many calories are there in Tilapia, compared to a chicken breast?:

A: Tilapia is a low fat, high protein, alternative to a skinless chicken breast. 4-oz Tilapia fillet   105 calories, 1 gram fat, 23 grams protein 4-oz skinless chicken breast   140 calories, 2 grams fat, 33 grams protein

Q: Where do I get Tilapia and can I raise my own?

A: There are breeders literally all over the world. Portable Farms Limited will help in securing a reputable fish breeder in your area. You can also start you own breeding colony (6 females and a male) to produce fry and we can refer you to a reputable fish breeder. A breeding colony can produce up to 30,000 fry (baby fish) per year. You can start your own side business by becoming a Tilapia fish breeder!

Q: How do I kill the fish when we’re ready to harvest?

A: Instead of taking them out of the tank and letting them die from oxygen deprivation (which is cruel), simply place the fish on a flat surface and put the tip of a sharp knife behind one eye, insert it into the fish, and turn it half a turn. Deed done and no suffering for the fish.

Q: What if I’m a vegetarian?

A: To work correctly, the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System does require fish of some type to provide the essential nutrients for your plants. If you do not want to eat your fish, you can give them to friends who do eat fish, sell them, or simply enjoy them. You can also put goldfish or koi in your Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System. We suggest naming them and keeping them as pets!

GREENHOUSE FAQ’s

Q: Do you sell greenhouses?

A: No, we do not sell greenhouses but we are happy to discuss your needs with you and we have direct contact with many greenhouse companies around the world who can offer you a quote on your greenhouse requirements. There are many choices for housing your systems which are dependent on your weather requirements, size, style and budget. Your greenhouse can range from a simple small greenhouse to an elaborate architecturally designed structure.

 

Q: Do I need to use grow lights to grow my plants?

A: For maximum yield, yes, we recommend the use of grow lights from mid November to around March 1 in the Northern Hemisphere to extend the day length to a little over 12 to 13 hours of usable sunlight. This creates maximum yield during winter months and the plants always think it’s a perfect summer’s day.

Q: Do you have to heat the greenhouse in cold weather?

A:  If the outside temperatures are down into the mid 20′s F, the interior of the greenhouse does not freeze because the warm water circulating through the gravel keeps the interior above freezing and the roots of the vegetables are bathed in warm water several times a day.

The only major requirement for cold weather operations is to keep the interior of the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System above freezing. This may require a small space heater to keep the temperature above 35 degrees F. The interior does not have to be heated to 70 degrees F as in a normal greenhouse, because the water is warm and circulates throughout the gravel.

Growing food in a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System

Q: How much food can I grow in a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System?

A: The answer depends on what size farm you have: A medium (10′ x 20′) farm produces 1,100 vegetables and 400 pounds of fish per year, or 800   4 ounce fillets A standard large (20′ x 30′) farm produces 3,600 vegetables and 1,400 pounds of fish per year, or 2,800   4 ounce fillets. A commercial size Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System, 90’ x 120’, produces 60,000 vegetables and 23,000 pounds of fish.

Q: What can I grow?

A: In a 10′ x 20′ Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System, you have more growing space and you can grow far more varieties of vegetables. CLICK HERE to see images of food grown in Portable Farms. You can also grow a large variety of flowering plants such as strawberries and any herb you enjoy eating.   In the 20′ x 30′ or the 90′ x 120′ Portable Farm, you have all the room you need to grow all the vegetables, flowering plants and herbs you could ever desire plus, you have the sunlight and the space to grow a wider variety of vine vegetables. In larger units, we reccomend the use of trellises for vertical growing (photo below):

We don’t recommend growing root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, potatoes, or field crops such as corn, soybeans, dry beans, or wheat in Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System.

You can also grow flowers to create colorful bouquets of flowers for the house and patio.

Q: Why can’t I grow root vegetables in my Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems?

A: Most root vegetables such as potatoes prefer a dryer growing medium. And, the Grow Trays are shallow with only 4 2 inches of gravel for the root vegetable to grow. If you’d like to try growing radishes or spring onions, try it. Early one spring, we grew short, fat carrots. They were 2.5” long and very ugly, but tasty.

Q: Can I sell my organic vegetables and fish?

A: Yes, you can. To call your vegetables ‘organic,’ you’ll need to contact your agricultural commissioner in your county to investigate your requirements to call your vegetables ‘organic.’ Our system produces ‘organic’ vegetables if used properly (no pesticides, fertilizers, etc.).

Call your local farmer’s market organizers to ask them their requirements for selling fish and vegetables in your area. For information about selling fish to individuals or businesses, contact the Fish and Game Department in your state. To sell fish in California, you will need to obtain a Fish Processor’s License from the California Fish and Game Department. http://www.dfg.ca.gov

Q: Why no soil?

A: Water flows very slowly through soil (think mud) and will not work in a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System. Plus, soil has pathogens that create 99% of the problems related to disease and infestations in your plants.

Q: Where can I get the starter media to use in the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System?

A: Home centers and nurseries carry peat pots in the spring, so stock up when they’re available. After that, you can buy them online at a variety of outlets. We recommend the 1” Oasis cubes from Hort Americas and these are available on a year round basis or you can use rockwool cubes.

 

Q: What are the ongoing costs for a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System?

A: Electrical: On the grid, using SDG&E prices:

• Medium 10′ x 20′ farm without grow lights: In winter, heaters run more often and fans run less often but almost balance each other out on a yearly basis: 14 kw per day or $1.53 a day * Standard Large farm without grow lights: 19.7 kw = $2.15 per day
• Please note, adding Grow Lights more than triples the electrical usage even using the Grow Lights only three hours per day.
• Fish food, peat pots, water, seeds and some small amount for miscellaneous expenses are also ongoing costs.
• Feed costs: Approximately $25 for a 50-pound bag of Purina Commercial Catfish Chow found at Feed and Grain Stores.
• Fish costs: Fingerlings can be purchased with approved fish breeders. The fingerlings range in price from $.50 to $1.00 per fish + shipping, depending on size and availability.
• Starter media: Peat pot cost are approximately US$.10 each. Oasis cubes are US$.03 each.
• Seed costs: Seed packet prices range from $1 to $4 per seed packet.

Q: Can I put a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System in the garage or in my basement?

A: Yes. You’ll need to provide Grow Lights for 14 hours per day because there is no sunlight. And, since you won’t have a greenhouse structure, the heaters in the fish tanks will run more often because there is no heat gain from the sun. On the other hand, if you live in a very cold climate, your basement will provide more protection from the cold than an exterior building will provide.

Q: What is the cost of a turnkey Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System at my location, and for my size requirements?

A: Turnkey price for a medium sized Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System   10′ x 20’. Starts at $12,000 and can exceed $20,000

Turnkey price for a standard large sized Portable FarmJ   20′ x 30’ will be from US$10,000 to US$25,000.

Q: How can a medium security prison facility with 3,600 inmates, in a remote location, utilize a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System?

A: There are two ways a Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System can serve your prison:

1) With 3,600 inmates in your correctional facility, we assume that you are serving 10,800 meals every day, or nearly 4,000,000 meals a year. Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System can have an impact on your institution=s food budget: A 90 x 120 foot, 10,800 square foot Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System, provides 60,000 heads of lettuce per year or other vegetables, (5,000 heads per month or 165 heads per day) on a year round basis, and 23,000 pounds of fish per year. Other vegetables can be grown depending on your needs.

2) If the inmates in your prison work on the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System, they will also be learning valuable vocational skills.

 

Q. What are the requirements to purchase a PFAS Technology License?

A. There are several PFAS Technology Licenses available: Click here for more information.

– Expandable License covers a single site, has no territorial protection and License Holder may not sell additional Units. An individual or company may purchase this license.

– Territorial License covers a specifically defined territory and allows the License Holder to build and sell if they so desire as many Installations as they can within that territory. They may not sell or build any PFAS Units outside of their defined territory. This license requires a company as the License Holder and one partner must reside within the territory at all times.

– Country License covers a country or state/province and allows for the training of locals in how to build and operate the installations. This license is held by either a company or a Ministry.