Aquaponics is a method by which plants are grown and at the same time aquatic animals are fed in a system that recirculates the nutrients produced, for the benefit of plants and animals. The aquaponic approach is gaining popularity as a sustainable gardening method, and if you're curious to try it for yourself, there are some great guides for building your own system. This article is an example that uses components commonly available from IKEA and some others available at local stores. The system looks good enough to keep in the living room or bedroom, or just to make your family happy!
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Prepare the Frame
Step 1. Visit IKEA to purchase the frame
IKEA's Antonius frame is required for the main frame. It will consist of one or two baskets and two plastic containers. Use the 50 liter container as a fish tank at the bottom and the 25 liter container for the grow bed at the top. Assemble all the parts, based on the relevant package instructions.
If you can't find the frame at IKEA, ask around to see if friends have one more, or make a request on a site like Freecycle
Step 2. Use the basket as a support for the 25 liter plastic container that will house the grow bed
It is not strictly necessary to have the 50 liter plastic container for the fish tank at the base if you just put it on the floor. You should cut the plastic edge of the upper container to ensure a better fit; in this tutorial, the handles were also cut from the end of the container. However, this is not strictly necessary. To cut the plastic, use a small saw or standard wire stripper pliers.
Step 3. If you want to customize the system to suit your interior style, now is a good time to do so
The pictures show an example of a fish tank tank that has been decorated with a PVC strip:
Method 2 of 5: Standpipe
Plumbing for the aquaponic system isn't too complicated, and you can rely on a few basic principles to help make the system as efficient as possible.
Step 1. Use a small 600 liter / hour submersible pump in a corner of the fish tank that will bring the water up to the grow bed
The water flows through the growth bed and exits in the opposite corner to the entrance. When the water returns to the fish tank, it pushes any solid waste towards the pump, which will take it to the grow bed.
It uses a by-pass valve in this system. This diverts some of the water from the pump back into the fish tank. This allows you to control the amount of water that will need to serve the grow bed, while diverted water creates movement in the fish tank, as well as provides additional aeration. In this tutorial, 13mm PVC pipes were used throughout the system. Initially, it is recommended that you also start with the grow bed and siphon used here
Step 2. Get the male and female threaded adapters
Drill a hole in the right place in the grow bed - you need to make sure that the female adapter fits into the square of the frame grid. Make the hole about 6 or 7 centimeters from the edge of the container in each direction; the hole must fit perfectly with the male thread adapter.
Step 3. Thread the male adapter through the top of the grow bed
Then mount rubber seals on the threads. Then screw the female adapter to the male one until you get a complete and watertight fit. If you want, but it's not strictly necessary, you can add silicone to the bottom. Finally, use a reducer on top of the male adapter. The one shown here is a 25mm to 13mm reducer.
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This whole piece is called a standpipe and will allow water to drain out of the grow bed. Overall height is recommended to be approximately 2.5cm below the top of the grow bed; therefore, it will be necessary to cut the pipe so that it is at the right height. At this point, let the silicone dry if you have used any.
Method 3 of 5: Bell Siphon and Protection
The bell siphon is a very effective method for slowly flooding the growth bed and thus quickly draining the water. And it does so with a non-mechanical action, moreover, it has no moving parts that can break.
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 7 Step 1. Look at the 25mm - to 13mm reducer in the pictures
This is where the water will come out of the grow bed.
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 8 Step 2. Place the 60mm bell siphon in the center
This is a 60mm piece of tubing with an airtight cap on top. The bell siphon is shown in the photos with some pieces cut off at the bottom, with some holes on the sides - it is recommended that these holes are no higher than about 2.5cm from the bottom of the pipe. The water will drain down to this level and then stop.
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 9 Step 3. Finally, the 100mm media guard is intended simply to keep the grow bed material away from the bell siphon
The shroud has holes drilled or cut out to allow water to enter - and to keep the roots and material out! The stopper is optional, but it helps keep things out of the bell siphon.
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 10 Step 4. Bell siphons can be complicated to put into operation
The mechanics of a siphon are relatively complex, but you only have to worry about the practical application of the siphons, so that you can quickly empty a grow bed into a tank or fish tank, using a simple mechanical method with no electrical parts. or on the move.
Method 4 of 5: Bypass Ball Valve
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 11 Step 1. Add a bypass ball valve
This allows you to control how much water flows into the grow bed and is therefore an important addition. The bypass ball valve also allows water to be diverted to the fish tank, providing additional movement of aeration and water in the tank. This improves fish health.:
In the images shown you can see the small pump of 600 liters / hour with a small piece of 13 mm tube inserted. This then has a T-piece attached and continues up to the 90 degree elbow at the top, which brings the water to the growth bed with a 13mm tube. In the second outlet of the T-fitting there is a simple ball valve that controls the flow of water that is diverted back into the fish tank
Method 5 of 5: Finish
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 12 Step 1. Once you have assembled everything together with the frame, containers and plumbing, add water to the fish tank and start the pump
Test to see if everything is working properly and to make sure the system is watertight!
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 13 Step 2. Fill the top container (the grow bed) with some growth material
This could be hydroton (aggregate expanded clay pellets), lava stone, perlite, river stones, or other similar material. Use something that allows water to flow through the grow bed and is non-toxic.
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 14 Step 3. Once all of this is done, you are ready to add the fish and start putting plants into the system
Initially, add only a couple of small fish, just to start producing the ammonia needed to start the system.
Make a DIY Indoor Aquaponics System Step 15 Step 4. Read about aquaponics for more details
Setting up the system is just the beginning - you'll need to keep learning more about its use and benefits in order to make the most of them. For this reason, it is recommended that you acquire more information on how to actually make your system work and to get an in-depth overview of how to make it work properly. You can search for other resources online, buy books on aquaponics or visit the local library for more information.
