Small DIY Aquaponics System

This is a small aquaponics system i built so i could experiment with the concept. If it works out well for me I'd love to build a large version of this system but before I do want some working knowledge of how it works and any problems i might encounter before I invest a lot of time, effort, and most importantly $$$ into it. This way was a cheap and easy way to gain that knowledge as well as a fun little project. I also want to see what will grow well in the grow bed.

Step 1 Tools and Materials

First things first! Tools and materials.

Tools:
1. Drill
2. 3/16", 1/2", 7/8" Drill Bits
3. Hacksaw
4. Pipe Cutter
5. Razor Blade
6. Cutters
7. Thread Seal Tape

Materials:
1. 15 Gallon Plastic Bin (Grow Bed)
2. 1/2" Irrigation Tubing
3. 2 1/2" Ball Valves
4. 3 1/2" Barb Adapter
5. 1/2" Flex Pipe Tee Insert
6. 1/2" MNPT X Barb 90 Elbow
7. 2 #14 O-Rings
8. 2" PVC Pipe 8 3/4" long piece
9. 2" PVC Cap
10. 1 1/4" PVC Pipe 6 5/8" long piece
11. 1 1/4" PVC Cap
12. 1/2" PVC Pipe 5 5/8" long piece
13. 1/2" Male Adapter
14. 1/2" Female Adapter (Electrical Conduit)
15. 2 1/2" PVC Pipe 3" long piece
16. 2 1/2' 90 Degree Elbows
17. Growing Medium (I used a combo of hydroponic rocks and pea gravel)
18. 30 Gallon Plastic Tote (Fish Tank)
19. Black Plastic Sheeting
20. Plastic Storage Shelves
21. 100 - 130 GPH Submersible Pump

Some of the lengths here are approximate because you have to cut to fit and fine tune the system by taking a little off here and there. Also I had to use an electrical conduit fitting because normal pipe threads are tapered and you can't screw them down all the way. I needed a tight fit to prevent leaks from the grow bed.

Comments

[jeffrey4283]

Just a quick update. The ammonia levels in my tank spiked yesterday to around 4 ppm so i changed out about half my water for fresh. Unfortunately I had 2 fish floating this morning. These were the 2 smallest so hopefully there will be no more.

[Hayzr]

One trick I learnt if not using Hydroton and the water becomes acidic, is to crush egg shells and bury them in the grow medium. The Calcium Carbonate will neutralize the acidic water.

I have a system close to your size, I struggled to produce good lettuce but was able to get Pak Choi, peppers, tomato with a few Tilapia. I am re-designing my own to include a Sump and actually reduce the flood time to around every hour or so. I found the 15 min flood was actually damaging the roots.

[slamfist]

ive been building and using different aquaponics units for about 3 years now and yours looks like it will work really well, depending on what your growing the gravel bed is the best setup in my opinion, i was getting 2 crops of romaine lettuce in the gravel to every 1 in the dirt.. good luck and happy fishing, ps if your close to the kootenays i might be able to help you out in getting tilapia.

[jeffrey4283]

Thanks. I'm actually in Tampa, FL so no joy o the fish. I hope to build a much larger system in the 300 gallon range when I get some more space and I've learned all I can from this smaller setup.

[mstyle183]

nice.. i definitively want to incorporate fishes in my next hydroponic set up.. check out my hydroponic set up for a cheap way to get lots of plants growing

[jeffrey4283]

That's a nice setup. Ive never tried hydroponics. This evolved from container gardening but I have a very chaotic schedule so they'd dry out. I'll have to try out hydroponics when I get a chance.