Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
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How much land does aquaponics take?
Aquaponics systems can range from countertop aquariums to 10,000 sq. ft. facilities with tanks holding more than 300 gallons of water.
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How much water does aquaponics use?
Since aquaponics systems are constantly cycling water, these systems on average use only 10% of the water that would be used growing the same crops through traditional soil means.
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Can I cycle my system without fish?
Yes! Since the cycling process can cause some stress on your fish, there's lots of ways to add ammonia to your system without introducing them first.
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Is aquaponics faster?
Since both the fish and plants are being exactly the right nutrients, like they would in nature, they grow on average 25% to 50% faster than they would in other artificial environments.
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How much do aquaponics farmers make?
This depends on the scale of the aquaponics system, although an average successful commercial venture can expect to make around $50,000 a year.
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What are the benefits of aquaponics?
Aquaponics imitates a natural ecosystem, reducing your water footprint and replacing many of the nutrients or additives that are required in soil-based agriculture.
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Can you eat the fish from aquaponics?
Absolutely! As long as the fish you're growing are meant to be eaten.
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What does aquaponics mean?
Aquaponics refers to a system of agriculture that capitalizes on the symbiosis between fish and plants living in the same manufactured ecosystem.
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Who Can Help Me Figure Out the Best Turbidity Control for my Site?
A stormwater consultant will be able to help you design your turbidity control solution, as well as take specific measurements of the area and it's conditions.
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Are There Different Ways to Anchor a Silt Curtain?
Yes, anchoring your silt curtain will change depending on where your anchors are attached, as well as what kind of anchor you use.
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When Should the Turbidity Curtain be Installed?
Turbidity curtains should always be installed at the beginning of any project, before any possibility of sediment incursion exists.
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What's the Best Way to Remove a Turbidity Curtain?
It's best to remove any built-up silt and install the new curtain before removing your old one, as this will prevent any silt from escaping.
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How Often Should I Remove the Silt From the Turbidity Curtains?
Removal is generally avoided, as this process discharges excess particles itself; however, if built-up sediment is toxic, or preventing the curtain from working, removing the silt may be required.
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My Construction Site is on Land. Why Do I Need Floating Silt Curtains?
If your project is even slightly uphill from nearby water, runoff and natural erosion will carry loose sediment into the local waterway.
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Can I Select and Install a Turbidity Curtain On My Own?
In calm waters where you expect to use a small curtain or simple design, you can absolutely install your own turbidity curtain with the right tools.
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Why Do Some Silt Curtains Allow Water Through and Some Don't?
Permeable silt curtains are best in places where you’re expecting a lot of waves or a strong current, as the ability to allow water to pass through lessens the chance of the floats being submerged under water.
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What is a Type 3 Turbidity Curtain?
Type 3 DOT turbidity curtains are the heaviest duty turbidity curtain recognized by the Department of Transportation, mostly found in rougher conditions with faster waves and stronger currents.
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What is a Type 1 Turbidity Curtain?
A Type 1 DOT turbidity curtain is designed for calm or “Type 1” conditions, where currents, waves, and wind are minimal.
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What is a Type 2 Turbidity Curtain?
Type 2 turbidity curtains are more resilient than their Type 1 counterparts, found in conditions with moderate wind, waves, or currents
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Where Are Floating Silt Curtains Used?
You’ll usually see floating silt curtains in water near or around construction or urban sites, meant to protect the local waterway from runoff solids, particles, and sediment like clay or silt.
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How Can I Tell if My Turbidity Curtain is Working Properly?
Turbidity can usually be fairly obvious to the bare eye, as highly turbid water will be murky and unclear; however, you can also use a nephelometer to get specific turbidity measurments if need be.
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What Conditions Require Using a Turbidity Barrier?
You'll want to use a turbidity barrier when your project is close enough to a waterway that erosion and runoff sediment may be a concern.
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Can I Use Turbidity Curtains in my Dredging Project?
Turbidity curtains are an excellent solution for minimizing the environmental impact that dredging can have on local waterways.
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