Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Subsequent Events (Details Narrative)

Subsequent Events (Details Narrative) - USD ($)	May. 18, 2016	Apr. 12, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, issued			14,137,442	14,137,442
Interstate Battery System International, Inc. [Member] \| Definitive Agreements [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Company's equity and debt securities	$ 10,000,000
Common stock, issued	702,247
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.12	$ 7.12
Gross proceeds from investment	$ 5,000,000
Description of coversion of convertible note and warrants		If Interstate converts its convertible note and exercises both warrants in their entirety, it will own slightly less than 20% of the common stock of Aqua Metals at an average price per share of approximately $7.93.
Interstate Battery System International, Inc. [Member] \| Definitive Agreements [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Warrant [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Expiration date	May 16, 2019
Number of shares vested	1,605,131
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 9.00
Vesting period	Nov. 16, 2016
Interstate Battery System International, Inc. [Member] \| Definitive Agreements [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Financing Warrants [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Expiration date	May 16, 2018
Number of shares vested	702,247
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.12
Interstate Battery System International, Inc. [Member] \| Definitive Agreements [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Loan amount	$ 5,000,000
Face amout	$ 5,000,000
Expiration date	May 16, 2019
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.12
Interstate Battery System International, Inc. and Other Investors [Member] \| Definitive Agreements [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale of equity and debt securities	$ 15,100,000
National Securities Corporation (Placement Agent) [Member] \| Definitive Agreements [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member] \| Accredited Investor [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale of equity and debt securities	$ 5,100,000
Common stock, issued	719,333
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.12
Gross proceeds from investment	$ 5,121,650
Percentage of NSC commision on accredited investor investment	6.00%