The Conversion from Hydroponics to Aquaponics (Part 2)

Last year's #hydroponic peppers!

The expense of organic nutrient solutions drove the decision to convert our successful hydroponics system to an aquaponics system.

We understand physics, monitoring for Ph, nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia, what could go wrong? We are responsible enough to grow duckweed to feed the tilapia, aren't we?

There are a few moving parts. We'd need to convince our facilities staff that a pond in the greenhouse would allow us to share with kids the wonder of a self-contained system that brings food to the masses (or at least a few salads and some salsa). We'd need to work in a limited amount (and shape) of space, creating custom systems that work around pre-existing teaching and plant locations. We learned permits aren't necessary in WA, but we'd need to look into locally sourced fish.

We'd need to manage the expense of taking a perfectly fine hydroponics system, working at 100% efficiency and sink some additional money into the conversion to a system with additional risk of things that could go wrong.

Yeah, we're in. We love a challenge.

The hydroponic table awaiting conversion.

We needed to relocate the system
(not too bad with the help of friends). Done

Built Affnan Bell Siphon
(one is complete - half table at a time).

Repair the drain broken in transport
(I didn't say it wasn't heavy - fell once) Done.

Started seeds. Done (We like the pressure of time).

Get permission to create an in ground pond. Done.

Part II -
The bell siphon is working, thanks to my partner Mao.
We did break a pump during the transition. Amazingly, our facilities director found another one, the same day the first pump broke. We have a new 1800 GPH pump plumbed to the table, and temporarily working out of a fish tank (enough water to cycle half of the table. The siphon is set up to feed into the small tank and/or add an extension and drain to the pond.

Temporary pump and drain in the pond.

The pond is dug. The assumption is that it is close to 1000 gallons (we are working on the math). The liner is in, and of course, we needed to fill the pond. It all cycles well, except the new pump is so powerful (not adjustable) that even when we minimize the openings on some of the valves, the table fills super quick, nearly at the speed of the siphon. We're assuming that when we split the flow to fill both halves of the table (and possibly a new NFT system), flow will be reduced and should work fine. We may need to operate on a timer instead of continuously. That should be fine. I wanted to add additional aeration, anyhow and on a timer it would be essential. I am a believer in massive amounts of dissolved oxygen to roots, to help with promoting growth.

We'll be adding a couple of sediment tanks to catch some of the solids moving through the system. It will be used as a spot to grow duckweed, too.

The to-do list...
1. Finish off some of the PVC work and design an efficient way to attach them to secure spots.
2. Build the two sediment tanks and plumb them into the system.
3. Purchase duckweed - get it growing
4. Plumb the aeration - we have big air on the other side of the greenhouse.
5. Area Beautification - Part of our commitment to get the pond in included making it attractive (funny, because Mao and i are all about function and physics).
6. Cycle the system - Let's get growing!
7. Get some fish.