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How It Works

Polyponic Systems

  Algepower utilizes our patented Polyponic systems combine polyculture and hydroponic systems, creating a sustainable and efficient environment that benefits the plants and any animals that are a part of the system, as well as the producers.  

Hydroponics

       Hydroponics aims to grow plants without the need of soil, fertilizer, or large quantities of land. Hydroponics does not require the waste of another living organism like fish. Wastewater is directly fed into the system. This wastewater can come from animals, other plant waste, and even industrial waste. 

       Algae has the potential to clean all these sources, extracting chemicals and metals out of the water. The now clean water is free to be used again, and some of the metals separated can be extracted for use again. Different types of algae can be used for different types of wastewater. For example, if the wastewater is rich in heavy metals, then brown algae may be the most appropriate choice as the algae most suited for the project.  

Aquaponics

        Aquaponics is the cycle of water between fish and plants. In this cycle, wastewater from the fish is moved to the plant’s growth bed. The algae then gets to work, cleaning the water of its Ammonia-rich waste. The Ammonia is transformed first to Nitrite, then to Nitrate. Nitrate can fuel the growth of algae. 

       The now clean water returns to the fish and the cycle begins anew. In such as system, the algae grown can be used as food for the fish, re-enforcing the cyclical growth of the system. Otherwise, the algae can be prepared for other uses. Astaxanthin, one of the primary byproducts of the Algeponics® system, has a range of applications in the feed and pharmaceutical  industries. 

Copeponics

        Copeponics is very similar to Aquaponics. Just like in aquaponics, an animal is used to produce the wastewater that algae use for its sustenance. In aquaponics, fish are traditionally used. In copeponics, copepods are the animals used to create waterwater. Copepods are small organisms that typically range between 2-4 mm in length. 

       While the application of the process is similar to aquaponics, copeponics can fill a different niche. Fish can be sold in restaurants and stores for human consumption. Copepods can be sold to fisheries and even other aquaponic businesses to feed the fish that keep the system alive.