Aquaponics Proposal Group Members: Killian Llewellyn – System Support Research Lisa Reisenauer – Water Quality Testing Research Nial Tilson – Container Research and Design Tom Zajdel – Electrical Component Design

Tank Enlargement

The Problem…

Tank Enlargement Shooting for 200-500 gallons (estimate) Wood frame (~$100), rubber liner (~$200-300) Need ample wood Rubber liner kit/system Cement Pool (~$1000?, no firm estimates) Need framing materials, concrete Drain at the bottom Strong base for pool to rest

Tank Enlargement (cont.) Pre-made Container 100-300 gallon container Need to explore options for such solution in Honduras (availability) Build from Steel (welded supports/plates) Need ample scrap metal Require assistance from students/people at school

Pre-Trip Decision Conflict New information about system component ratios limits tank size More plants would be needed to expand the tank A larger pump would be needed to achieve healthy circulation A larger tank may not be needed to support the system

Solar Panel Installation

The Objective Equip the Overholts’ aquaponics system with solar panels Two 80W pumps run continuously We have 17 50W solar panels to install/use

Proposed System

System Components/Cost Item Cost Solar Panels $0 Sunforce Q-Controller - 12V, 450 W $64.10 Batteries - 12V, 105Ah (X2) $160.00 Cobra Inverter - 200W $29.72 Timers (X2) $20.00 Mounting Parts (estimated) $30.00 TOTAL $303.82 Energy Transfer/Components Sun Solar Panel Charge Controller Battery System Inverter Timer Pump

Daytime Power Powering 2 X 80W pumps 200 W inverter required Aeration pump Circulation pump 200 W inverter required Each panel delivers 50W maximum Pick 5 panels for safety! We have more if we need it….

Battery Sizing Pick duty cycle, then size battery bank! At night, we must run from battery power Assume we will run 18 hours without sunlight… 160 W load when the pumps are on Charge must stay above 20% Pick duty cycle, then size battery bank! 𝐶𝑝𝑐𝑡𝑦 [𝐴ℎ] = 160 𝑊 10 𝑊 𝐴 ×18ℎ× 1 .80 ×𝐷𝑢𝑡𝑦 %

Battery Charging Battery bank charges fully during 10 hours of sunlight Charges when pumps are off (off cycle) Charges when panels exceed 160W (on cycle) Panels deliver 3.27A max

Battery Charging

Challenges Batteries are very expensive Must finalize scope of project Power only one pump with solar? Solves the duty cycle issue (keep it at 100%) Lower duty cycle? New information suggests that lowering the duty cycle may disturb the system Where do we install the solar panels? We can install more, but is there room?

Water Testing

Nitrogen Cycle Ammonia & Nitrite Nitrate pH Dissolved Oxygen Toxic for fish Nitrate Plant food pH 7-7.5 Dissolved Oxygen Temperature dependant higher temp. lower O2 content Optimum ~6-7 mg/L 3 mg/L minimum Temperature Plants optimum ~73°F Tilapia ~ 70-85°F Tanks stabilize in 20-30 days nitrobacter nitrosomonas 10-30kg fish / 1000L water 6-7 mg/L (80% saturation) References: http://www.aquaponicsusa.com/Aquaponics_USA_Water.html

Water Testing Kits Nitrite & Nitrate Ammonia & pH Dissolved Oxygen 25 test strips $11 Master Test Monitor ($11) Also measures Temp Refills ($14 /2month supply) 60 tests worth $11

Tasks will be shared by all group members. Sustainability Provides food upon growth of fish and plants Only requires regular input of fish food Daily water testing recommended for system health with a guide for use Reliability Will produce fish and plants if kept healthy Self sustaining power system Safety Risks Sick fish and plants could cause human illness Electrical equipment could be dangerous if exposed (will be contained) Development Schedule Tasks will be shared by all group members.

Implementation

Tank Enlargement Could not expand the overall system size due to energy and pump restraint Expanded the plant grow beds Achieved proper ratio of grow bed to water

Tank Enlargement Future Recommendations: Find more durable materials for plant bed Increase the power output from the solar panels to move more water in an expanded fish tank Further explore water cycling demands

Solar Panel Installation 9 Panels were installed Pump duty cycle was reduced to 50% Actual energy usage by the pumps were found to be much less than expected

Solar Panel Installation Future Recommendations Use more solar panels to charge battery on a more efficient time scale Research better duty cycle

Water Testing Testing was performed on all tanks Before and after testing was performed when changes were made No noticeable affect from changing duty cycle Pond Date & Time Nitrate (ppm) Nitrite (ppm) Ammonia (ppm) pH Oxygen (ppm) B Sunday 9:10 AM - 5 Sunday 7:30 PM 7.4 A Sunday 7:40 PM 0-5 7 C Sunday 7:45 PM Monday 7:20 AM Monday 7:30 AM 4 School Wednesday 8:45 AM 6.6 9 Wednesday 4:45 PM 10 Wednesday 5:00 PM 8 Wednesday 5:15 PM

Water Testing Future Recommendations Continue with water testing Keep records of water status Increase testing near significant changes such as adding new fish or harvesting plants

Costs The total cost of materials that were acquired before the trip was $197.45 after shipping and taxes. While in Choluteca, $314.69 was spent on batteries, wire, and transfer switches The net cost of the entire project totaled to $512.14

Questions?