ECF Aquaponik-Farmsystems

ECF MONITORING TECHOLOGY

Intelligent success factor
The ECF monitoring technology is the combination of innovative measuring and control units, synchronized and programmed with the know-how of ECF Farmsystems. As part of the ECF monitoring technology, real-time measurements
of relevant parameters come together. Based on defined requirements, the values are compared and a control signal is sent in real time to the unit in question in either the aquaculture or hydroponics system. The result is an optimal
aquaponics production environment and a high standard of resource efficiency. To ensure the production process, the ECF monitoring technology also includes remote maintenance and alarming.

ECF AQUACULTURE

Tailored fish production
The ECF aquaculture circulatory system consists of a system-specific number of fish basins, the most modern filter system and oxygen reactors. The components are mainly made of BPA-free plastic. The ECF monitoring technology calculates the optimal pH values, water temperatures and food amounts. The resulting increase in the fish’s well-being boosts their immune system, lowers their mortality rate and enables a continually stable harvesting volume without compromising size or quality.

SAVE WATER

Reuse approach for fish and vegetables
In the aquaculture half of the aquaponics system, fish are produced in their own circulatory system. Through the daily exchange of 3 to 5 per cent of the existing water in the circuit with fresh water, nutrient-rich waste water is gained. This means that your ECF aquaponics farm can be planned to the size which covers the amount of water needed for the vegetables – significantly reducing your water costs.

SAVE FERTILIZER

Fish fertilizes plant
Fish excrete ammonium through their gills. Through a biological process in the moving-bed filter in aquaculture, the ammonium dissolved in the water is turned into nitrate, a main element of plant fertilizer in hydroponics. This nitrate enriched water is then channelled into the individual hydroponic circuits thanks to the ECF monitoring technology, where it covers the majority of the fertilizer needs of the specific plants being cultivated.

GREEN GROUNDS

The complete ECF aquaponics farm
Operate aquaponics fish and vegetable production in the city or in the countryside. Produce high-quality food in the resourcefriendly ECF aquaponics system – depending on the location and size of your farm, you can save up to 7 per cent of your operating costs compared to individual production thanks to savings in water and fertilizer. In an urban location, you can also aim for higher profits by selling the food directly on site. The sustainable and transparent production also increases customer loyalty.

EXISTING GREENHOUSES

Your plant production + AQUACULTURE
Expand your existing greenhouse to include ECF aquaculture. For example, by using unviable greenhouse sections which would otherwise require investment in new heating systems, fertilizer systems or infrastructure. The expansion of your field of business with the production of high-quality fish for everyday consumption reduces your operating costs and optimizes the utilization of your workforce through rotations between plant and fish production.

INDUSTRIAL WASTELAND

Revitalization + New utilization concepts
Integrate an ECF aquaponics farm project into the development of your property. Create an innovative concept to revitalize your location and make it more attractive. The reuse of business parks, industrial wasteland, existing empty lots and buildings to produce fish and vegetables in a resource-friendly way is a sustainable alternative for urban planning developments with low traffic density. Lots difficult to sell can be given a boost and in highly frequented areas, they can even be expanded to include restaurants and cafés.

ROOF UTILIZATION

Resource efficiency thanks to synergies
Use aquaponics in conjunction with a building – in the form of rooftop greenhouses, car park roofing or indoor farming. Profit from the project-related synergies, such as heat recovery for the building, existing channels of distribution, rainwater cisterns and basins or human resources. We will gladly examine for you the opportunity to use existing buildings at your location.

#1 // ECF Farm Berlin

Urban Farming, in the middle of Berlin

• Initial startup: 2015
• Plant size: approx. 1.800m2
• Aquaculture production: Perch
• Hydroponics production: Basil
• Consumer: Food retail market
• Website

#2 // Rooftop farm ecco jäger (CH)

Building integrated farming

WATER FOOTPRINT

Intelligent reuse
Seventy per cent of the freshwater used by mankind goes towards agriculture and its further processing. ECF aquaponics farms enable food to be produced using up to 90 per cent less water compared to conventional agriculture. Thanks to the use of circulatory systems, a high efficiency of water consumption is achieved – and this is then doubled through the twofold utilization of water for both fish and vegetable production.

CARBON FOOTPRINT

CO2 optimization in the production process
Up to 34 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions come from agriculture and the processing of agricultural products. Long cooling chains and often long transport routes also have a negative impact on the carbon footprint. In ECF aquaponics farm systems, the CO² from the aquaculture circulatory system is channelled to the plants, where it serves as additional fertilizer and is turned into oxygen. This results in an improved carbon footprint for the production site.