Is it possible to sustain a basic (v/v: 1/6) iAVs indoors with plant grow lights only?
Yes – getting the required light is an “operator specific” issue, meaning it is the responsibility of each operator to ensure there is enough light for the plants. If there isn’t enough light, than supplementation would be required.
The same applies to the option of running an iAVs indoors – it comes down to the operator, and is a decision based on your own circumstances – and iAVs itself is not affected by the location, per se, but iAVs needs the required range of temperature and light for the plants to grow.
I have experience with ‘old school’ lighting, but no experience with the modern LEDs and other options. I will caution that it might raise costs, and I have also spoken to an iAVs operator that had one in the corner of a factory workshop and over the years the humidity started to become an issue.
Also, to clarify:
v:v = fish tank volume to biofilter volume 1:2.
v:a = fish tank volume to biofilter surface area 1:6
John, thanks for your detailed information.