This collection of questions and answers is constantly being updated and expanded. Activating a question will reveal the corresponding answer. If you would like to suggest your own questions, please feel free to submit them via our contact form.
Grundsätzliches
What can the aquaponics calculator do?
The calculator helps to visualize key relationships between area, productivity, costs, and economic indicators at an early stage. It serves as an initial structured preliminary assessment for aquaponics projects.
Does the calculator replace a feasibility study?
No. The calculator is a guideline, not a feasibility study. A project-specific study additionally considers the concrete local conditions, such as local market prices, investment costs, operating costs, and marketing opportunities.
Who is the calculator intended for?
For anyone who wants to deal with a potential aquaponics project in a structured way at an early project or research stage, for example in the context of preliminary considerations, project development, consulting or initial economic feasibility studies.
Where does the data for the modeling come from?
Aquaponik Manufaktur GmbH has been calculating large-scale aquaponics projects of varying designs for many years. These include different enclosure types, operating modes such as seasonal or year-round operation, and various cultivars. The experience and reference values collected over the years and regularly updated form the basis of the modeling and are incorporated into the calculations of the calculator.
Will the calculator be further developed?
Yes. The underlying calculation platform is significantly more comprehensive than the current web version. The calculator will therefore be expanded gradually. Plans include integrating further influencing factors such as different heating systems and additional cultivars.
Usage and input
What do I do if I’m unsure about an input field?
Many input fields include brief explanations. These can be accessed via the respective tooltip icon behind the field label.
Do I have to fill in all the fields?
No. Some entries are required for the basic calculation, others are used for refinement. The more accurate the information, the better the result can be interpreted. For fields you don’t fill in, our „default values“ are used, which, in our view, represent a calculated average.
What happens if I don’t know the exact values?
The calculator can still be used for initial guidance. However, the results should be understood as a rough preliminary estimate.
Can I experiment with different scenarios?
Yes. The calculator is well suited for comparing different assumptions and orders of magnitude and for better understanding the effects of individual parameters.
Results and Interpretation
How accurate are the results?
The results are based on modeled assumptions and serve as a guide. They show relationships and orders of magnitude, but do not replace individual project planning or on-site analysis.
Why might the actual costs or revenues differ on site?
Because local market conditions, regional price levels, supply chains, energy prices, construction costs, labor costs and individual project frameworks can vary greatly.
What do the diagrams and tables mean?
They show the modeled relationships of the entered assumptions, such as land use, production potentials, cost blocks and economic indicators.
Units, currency, location
In which units does the calculator work?
The calculator uses a metric system. Areas, quantities, and other input values are therefore processed in clearly defined metric units. All currency references also refer to the euro and the German market. This is important because the assumptions regarding costs and revenues used in the model are based on analysis and empirical data derived from the German market environment.
Why doesn’t the calculator work with other units of area?
To ensure consistent and transparent calculations, the tool is based on a uniform metric system. Therefore, any differing units should be converted before input.
In which currency are results displayed?
Die finanziellen Ergebnisse werden derzeit in der Referenzwährung Euro dargestellt. Diese dient der Orientierung und ersetzt keine lokale Kosten- oder Marktanalyse.
Why is a currency conversion alone not enough?
Because not only exchange rates differ, but often also the underlying cost structures, price levels and local market conditions.
What do I need to consider when choosing a language?
Even though the calculator’s language can be changed to English or French, the calculations and results displayed still refer to the German market. The language selection therefore affects the use of the tool itself, but not its automatic adaptation to international market conditions or projects.
Grenzen des Tools
Does the calculator take my specific local market into account?
No, the calculator works with modeled assumptions and reference values from Germany. Local specifics must be considered separately in a further analysis.
Does the calculator take individual special cases into account?
Nur sehr begrenzt im Sinne einer sinnvollen Kombination der einzelnen Parameter. Individuelle Vorteile oder Abweichungen, etwa besonders günstige Bauleistungen, bestehende Infrastruktur, lokale Abwärmenutzung oder Beschaffungsvorteile, können die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse stark beeinflussen.
Why is the tool still useful?
Because the calculator helps to visualize orders of magnitude, key variables, and relationships early on. It is a tool for initial orientation, not for final decision-making.