Due to the high initial investment, aquaponic systems typically rely on low-cost solutions that allow for producers to be profitable at a smaller scale. Examples of these low cost solutions include bell siphons or gravimetric filtration such as radial flow or baffle clarifiers. While these low-cost solutions are invaluable for the success of small-scale producers, commercial producers are limited by the ability of these low-cost solutions. Therefore in order to meet the needs of commercial producers, the incorporation of Automated Nutrient Delivery Systems (AND S) should be explored.
In brief ANDS are nutrient transport systems that are connected to a n automated program that easily allows for precise and real-time control of the transportation of nutrients to and from the hydroponic component. AND S has been successfully integrated onto media bed aquaponic systems in replacement of a low-cost siphon (Figure 1) . While ANDS increases the upfront cost, the benefits to c ommercial producers is increasing the grow area through the removal of a siphon apparatus, reducing required footprint as the sump volume is reduced, and potentially increasing plant nutrient uptake through the consistent real time control of nutrient delivery. Due to the novelty of integrating AND S and media bed aquaponic systems there is a lack of peer-reviewed data on the effects of controlling nutrient delivery on a species-specific level throughout the growth cycle of a plant. Additionally there is a lack of peer-reviewed data on the economic benefits of utilizing ANDS and at what scale the incorporation of the novel technology becomes the most economically feasible .
The incorporation of ANDS doesn’t stop at media bed systems either. There is also potential for ANDS to be integrated into NFT systems as well as a novel aquaponic system design that incorporates aeroponics as the hydroponic subsystem (Aeroculture) (Figure 2).