Instructions for making simple recirculating aquaponic system out of

Instructions for making simple recirculating
aquaponic system out of an IBC tote.
By Matthew B Ferrell, WVU Extension
Materials needed
1 - IBC tote
15” - ¾” pvc pipe
1-¾” to 1 ½” adapter
1-6” pipe
1-Bell cover
1- Silicone
1- ¾” uniseal
1- ¾” elbow
20’- 1 ¼” pipe
10’- ½” pipe
1 -½” thread to slip adapter
1- ½” end cap
4- 1/2” elbows
2- ½” tee
1 ¼ hole saw
1” hole saw
Skill saw or jig saw
Caulk Gun
PVC cutter
Tools Required
Sawzall
Drill
Star bit driver
Step 1 Disassembling of tank and cage
Remove star shaped screws from cross members and remove cross members, do not discard.
Step 2 Marking for plant bed
Mark container one level down from top rail all the way around. This is the cutting guide for step 4.
Step 3 Remove tank
Carefully roll container on its side so plastic tank can be removed.
Step 4 Cut the Container
Using marks from step 2, draw straight line, and use skill saw or jig saw to cut top off. It helps to have
two people on this step, one to cut and one to keep container from pinching on itself. Roll container,
and cut only on side at a time.
Step 5 Cutting the cage
Using a sawzall, cut the first level of the tank cage off. We will be using 1 ¼ pipe to cover sharp edges
later. Until then be careful they can and will cut you.
Step 6 Remove black cap, insert Uniseal and install stand pipe.
Remove black cap from container top. Drill 1 1/4inch hole and insert uniseal in center of cap. Uniseal
require specific hole size for proper performance.
PROPER STAND PIPE LEGNTH:
If grow bed is greater than 9 inches tall then cut equivalent to grow bed height.
If the grow be is less than 9 inches, cut a 9 inch length.
Combine ¾ pipe and ¾” to 1 ½” adapter. Measure from bottom of tank where cap will be to top of bed.
Cut pipe with adapter to length using window cleaner as a lubricant, insert ¾” pvc pipe at proper length
in regards to grow bed height. Adapter should be about 2 inches from top of grow bed. This can be
adjusted later. Add ¾” elbow and excess pipe to other side of pipe.
Step 7 Locate fish tank and add support.
Place fish tank where you want, and rinse out. Add two wooden cross bars across the top for additional
support for the plant tank.
Step 8 Reassemble plant bed, make metal rod covers.
Reattach metal cross bars to tank top, screw to hold in place. Starting with one side and continuing to
do one side at a time, measure 1 ¼” pipe and cut to length taking in consideration of elbow length. It is
okay to cut it a little larger and then trim. Once cut, bring back pipe and spot measure and mark for rod
location. Use appropriate hole saw size (we used 1”) that just fits the rod in, and cut holes in straight
line. Remember metal fingers will bend for you if you are slightly off. Continue until all sides are done.
Until the media is in the bed, the top will bend and cause grief, don’t worry it will get better.
Step 9 Reassemble cap to plant bed
Dry lid completely and add silicone to the gasket area, it will leak if you don’t. Screw in lid. Wait at least
a couple hours before adding water to the plant bed.
Step 10 Put it all together
Turn plant bed 90 degrees in reference to the fish tank and place on wooden support beams.
Step 11 Plumb the system
Use ½” thread to slip adapter to connect ½” pipe to pump. Cut a ½” pipe at length at least as high as the
drain of syphon, but below the grow bed and add ½” tee with two sides of the 3 pointing up and down.
Continue to plumb towards the grow bed by adding more ½ pipe to height of grow bed. Add elbow,
short piece of ½” pipe and another elbow so that the line is now pointing at bottom of grow bed. Again
add a short piece of pipe and then a tee. Cut a pipe for both sides of the tee to bring water to end walls
of plant bed. This pipe will sit on top of grow media (do not add this yet).On horizontal opening of tee in
the fish tank add a small piece of ½’ pipe and connect ½” valve followed by a “rain bar”(instructions
below, use left over ½” pipe for construction).
Rain bar- ½ pipe with cap on one side and holes drill in a row. Spacing and hole size is up to end user,
flow will be controlled with valve. It is suggested you use about 8 holes that are ¼”- 3/8” in size. This
prevents clogging from biofilm later. Bar can be long or short.
Step 12 Gravel Guard and Bell Cover
Take a 6 inch pipe, and cut silts or drill holes that are smaller than the media. This pipe should be the
same height as the grow bed. Remember that it will not sit down in the cap area, as it is too large. The
bell can be made of a pipe twice the size of the stand pipe’s end (1 ½”). In this case 3” pipe will do with
an end cap on one side.. However it is usually much cheaper to find anything that will create the same
effect. Cups from the dollar store work very well and are easy to work with.
Take cup or pipe and cut several notches on uncapped side or mouth of the cup to allow water to go
beneath it. Also find the height of the cap hole, and then drill a ¼” hole at that height on the bell. This
will break the syphon when the water gets low enough.
Step 13 Added water and turn on
DO NOT ADD MEDIA YET!!! Check and adjust siphon, ensure all of you fittings are tight, and not leaking.
Let it run one day. Set standpipe hieght so that the water begins to over flow at a minumum of 2 inches
from the top of plant bed. If siphon will not break make breather hole bigger, higher, or turn down
water velocity entering plant bed. It takes a little while to tune the siphon. You might need to “help” it
on the first round. When the water level is full lift up on the bell gently until you feel suction, then
release.
Step 14 Wash media then add
Rinse media thouroughly before adding it to the system, Once in continue to rinse it in the plant bed
and letting it siphon as you fill. Drain fish tank if solids emerge. You want no “dust” in the water. Do
not run pump during this rinsing.
Step 15 Turn on pump
Fill water line to just below siphon outlet without pump on. Turn on pump. Let it cycle a few times,
adjust water going to beds with rain bar valve. If siphon will not break, turn water flow to beds down.
Step 16 Cycle
Pour in the ammonia and walk away. Begin to check water at 1 week. Add ammonia when levels fall to
1ppm.
Step 17 Make it pretty.
Besides making th esystem look good, covering the outside will reduce algae problems, and degration
from UV rays on plastic. Some choose to insulate the system, the choice is yours. The possibilities are
endless.