The Aquaponics Media Cleaning System is designed to clean lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) and other similar plant-supporting media between harvests. It utilizes an optimized, multi-stage process that streamlines the cleaning process, significantly reducing labor costs and water usage while enhancing operational efficiency. This process is driven by a microcontroller and is fully automated. Background: Aquaponics systems rely on efficient and effective growth media to achieve optimal plant growth, and lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) has been found to be a high-performing choice of medium for certain crops. However, after a harvest, used LECA becomes ineffective unless cleaned. Currently, LECA is either disposed after a single use or cleaned by hand in a labor-intensive process, which limits its adoption on a commercial scale. This technology offers an efficient automated cleaning solution for LECA and other reusable plant media. This system reduces water waste and labor costs, allowing for more widespread use of these media in aquaponics systems. Applications:
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