In Class Aquaponics

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This image is from the YouTube video, “Cheap and Easy $35 Aquaponics / Hydroponics Setup.”

Materials From left to right & top to bottom: Water conditioner Rockwool (to germinate seeds) Gravel (for bottom of fish tank and inside of net cups) Fish tank Duct tape Net cups Styrofoam Fish Seeds for plans Fish food Air pump to put in tank Tubing to attach to air pump Air stone that attaches to tubing for air pump Water test strips Fish net Goldfish Image Source: http://www.cutagulta.com/goldfish/

Net cups

Aquarium Strips These strips allow the pH, hardness, nitrate levels, and chlorine levels of the water in the tank to be measured It is important to use this before adding fish/plants to the project and periodically to ensure that the project will be successful

Water Conditioner Water conditioner removes chlorine from the water This must be added to the tank before any fish can be put in

Getting Started Find a sunny spot for the fish tank A plant light will also work Gather materials on previous slides Plant seeds in net cups (see next slide) about 5-7 days before you are ready to put the project together When plant roots are sticking out of bottom of net cup and the plants are 2-3” tall, set up fish tank  

Planting Seeds Get net cups, gravel, seeds, and a container for plants Fill net cup halfway with gravel Wet gravel Pour some water over it This will make sure the seeds stick to it Drop 2 seeds into center of each net cup Cover seeds with more gravel The seeds do not like sunlight Put net cups in a container (covered dish, tupperware, etc) to stop water loss from evaporation Pour more water over net cups whenever the gravel seems dry

Setting up the tank Clean out tank with water/vinegar Tape top half of outside of tank so light will not hit the plant roots Put a layer of gravel at the bottom of the tank This is where bacteria that turn the fish waste into nutrients live Fill the tank with water Place the Styrofoam on the tank and put in a net cup The water level should be at the very bottom of the net cup Follow the directions on the water conditioner and add an appropriate amount Use the aquarium test strips to make sure the water is safe for the fish

Setting up the Styrofoam Note: You will want a separate surface to cut on (ex: cutting boar, cardboard) and to keep a trash can near you.When the foam is cut, little pieces fly all over the place. It is much easier to clean up if you can simply shake the cutting surface over a trash can to remove all of the foam pieces.

1. Gather Styrofoam, duct tape, scissors, fish tank, an X- acto knife, a ruler/measuring tape, a net cup, and a marker 2. Measure the inside of the opening at the top of the fish tank and record your measurements 3. Lay the Styrofoam on a flat surface 4. Trace out your measurements and cut out a piece of Styrofoam that will fit snugly inside the top of the tank 5. Cut a small hole through the Styrofoam that the oxygen tube will fit through 6. Cut out a cube to make a hole to feed the fish though. Keep the cube to in the hole so less water leaves through evaporation 7. Cover the top or bottom with duct tape (this will be the side that is in the water), leaving room for the air tube to fit through/the cube to be removed 8. Take the net cup and lay it upside down on the Styrofoam 2-3” from the edge of 2 sides and trace along the side that touches the foam (the rim flares out from the cup, so trace a circle that is a bit smaller than the circumference of the rim so there is no gapping when the net cup is put in) 9. Use your knife and the marked circle to cut out a hole for the net cup 10. Repeat the above step until there is no space for more net cups, keeping approx. 3’’ between each hole 11. Line the inside of the holes with duct tape so water does not enter

Measure the inside of the opening at the top of the fish tank and record your measurements Inner ledge You want the foam to be sitting on an inner ledge/ on top of the tank. These measurements do not have to be perfect! Just do your best.

Lay the Styrofoam on a flat surface Trace out your measurements and cut out a piece of Styrofoam that will fit snugly inside the top of the tank After cutting, duct tape the cut edges so little pieces of Styrofoam do not enter the tank

Take the net cup and lay it upside down on the Styrofoam 2-3” from the edge of 2 sides and trace along the side of the cup that touches the foam Use your knife and the marked circle to cut out a hole for the net cup a little smaller than the traced circle Repeat the above step until there is no space for more net cups, keeping approx. 3’’ between each hole Cut a hole for the oxygen tube and remove a cube to make a hole to feed the fish through

Line the inside of the holes with duct tape Cover the top or bottom with duct tape (this will be the side that is in the water) Line the inside of the holes with duct tape Hole to feed fish through Oxygen tube hole  

Completed Styrofoam Top Bottom

Putting It All Together Put fish in the tank filled with treated water Try to stick to a ratio of 6 plants per fish More fish can always be added if the plants need more nutrients Fit the Styrofoam piece into the top of the fish tank Put in the net cups with the plants that are ready Put the air pump into the tank through the hole in the Styrofoam Feed the fish according to the directions on the food container Use a fish net or something similar to stir the water in the tank every few days at first to make sure the nutrients are evenly distributed