MAE 188: AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS

MAE 188: AQUAPONIC SYSTEMSIndustry Sponsor: Thomas Grimm, OC Great ParkFaculty Advisors: Dr. Vince Mcdonell, PhD, Dr. Farzad Ahmadkhanlou, PhDStudents: Darren Zack,Teresa Nguyen,Henry Gomez,Mark Annevelink,Lee Tea

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From left to right, Tom Grimm, Henry Gomez, Darren Zack, Lee Tea, Mark Annevelink, Teresa Nguyen

Project GoalsDesign an aquaponics system for use in an educational environment. The model should include a 10ft. By 10ft. greenhouse, a composting unit, house freshwater prawns and 2 types of fish, grow plants and seedlings, and collect and store rainwater.3

New System4

System ComponentsGreenhouse10 feet x 10 feet, designed to be easily expandedRainwater Collection and StorageRainwater is collected and used to replace evaporated waterCompost BoxDrawers with a removable front panelSeedling BoxDrawers with slotted traysFish TankTwo tanks with tilted bases, circulated with air pumpsGrow BedTwo ebb and flow grow beds with nitrogen fixing plantsGrow TubesMultiple tubes hung above the grow beds for added plant capacityControl systemDigital controller to monitor sensors (O2, temperature, etc.)

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Greenhouse6

Base unit is 10 feet x 10 feet x 10 feetSide panels can open and close for access to hard to reach areasCan be expanded to create a rectangular shape, that is longer than wide

Rainwater Collection System 7Rainwater collected in guttersStored in tank at rear of greenhouseElevated so water flows into greenhouse without using a pump

Compost UnitGrow worms to feed fishTime for composting to finishWorms: 1-3 monthsBlack Soldier Fly: 3 weeksDesign of clear drawers to allow children to see the composting in actionDrawer pivots on central axis for easy compost removal

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Downselect of Compost Design

10Seedling UnitReplace mature plants with new seedlingsClear trays allow students to see root growthSell seedlings for profitSeedlings grown from seed or clone

11Fish TanksThere are two tanks, one for koi and the other for striped bassThey have tilted bases to facilitate the collection of wastesCirculation is done through an air liftWater is pumped to the growbeds and grow tubes with a water pumpThe prawn cages are located within the fish tanks (not pictured)

12Grow BedsThere are two ebb and flow grow bedsBell siphon used to control ebb and flowWater drains directly into the fish tank belowGravel used as a grow medium

13Grow Tubes3 tubes are suspended above each growbedContinuous water flow

14Control SystemA digital feedback system that allowing monitoring of system parameters Examples: Dissolved O2, pH, Humidity, Temperature, Water LevelIncorporation of controllers to simplify maintenance and allow remote monitoringIntegration of a control system is vital for realization of commercial Aquaponic systems in practice

Atlas Scientific Dissolved O2 Kit (Audrino Compatible)

Audrino Environment 15

256K Flash Memory54 Digital I/O pins16 Analog InputsCapable of running controllers / sensors in Aquaponic systemsOpen-SourceAllows greater collaboration with project community Simple programming suited for beginners/students Audrino Mega 2560 R3

Considerations to Aquaponic Control Systems System will have to have redundancy due to the system being continuously runThe maintenance and building of a control system circuit may be integrated into school curriculumsPower consumption will increase , adding to the total annual power costWater-based Ammonium sensor must be regularly replacedAmmonium BNC sensor deemed too costly Upwards of $2000 in cost 16

17Additional ComponentsTable for pumps and other equipment located in the back left cornerPipe circuit located on the inside of the greenhouse ceiling water runs through and is heated by sun (not shown)

Lifeforms in Our System18Life formsLiveable ConditionsBreedingFeedingStriped BassTemperature range around 80 F7-8.5 pHThree Phase growth12-16 months for harvestRequire varying levels of protein across phases1.5-2% of body weight per day50% protein , 12% lipids for brooding fishKoi59-77 F7-8.5 pHHarvest time variesMost successful reproduction after 2 years but can reproduce after 1Protein content around 30% with supplements for carbohydratesShrimp/ PrawnPrefer temperature ranges of 75-81 F7-8.5 pHHydrogen sulphide and chlorine absenseWill reach 1/10 lb in 4 months , 2-3 annual cropsBottom feeders, will eat leftover fish food and waste in the systemWorms59-77 FCan survive at 10 c but 30C and above will harm them2-3 weeks hatching6 weeks until reproductionFeed best at 15-25 C

19GrowthPhase 1- from hatching to fingerling sizeRaised in sump tanks or hatchery beds30-45 days before size gradingWill feed on zooplankton in this stagePhase 2- from fingerling to 525 g Grown to 125g before regarded and grown to 525gPhase 3- 525g to market weightGrowout to 725g (~1.75 lb)

Harvest occurs in 12-16 months

Striped Bass

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BreedingBred as show fishBest reproduction occurs after 2 years of growth, but can reproduce after 1Selective breeding can be used to increase the quality of their coloration.Harvest CycleEggs should be harvested immediately after spawningLonger harvest cycle since they are bred for show

Koi

21Special Traits and QualitiesWill clean out unwanted waste in the systemTerritorial, need horizontal room to prevent fightingMust be partitioned from fishHigher water flow will also prevent fightingReproduction and Harvest cycle CycleRequire brackish water for first 30-45 daysGrowpools with mixed freshwater and brineAfter brackish water period they are moves to larger tank for growoutWill reach 1/10 pound in 4 months, 2-3 crops annually

Shrimp and Prawn

22Prawn PartitionThe prawn will be partitioned from the fish with mesh wire along the rear gateLayers of netting will be strung between each vertical layer giving the prawn horizontal space to claim their own space reducing territorial disputesThe horizontal layers serve to reduce fighting between the prawn and maximize the efficiency of the space allotted for the spawn

23VermicompostingThe ProcessWorms are put into compost in order to tun the compost to worm castingCastings are a potent fertilizer and soil conditioner Castings and harvested and compost is replaced worms will feed on the compost and reproduce in a 6 week cycleThe BenefitsProvides worms and castings as two additional system productsProduced worms can be used as protein sourrce for the fishCastings can be marketed as a high potency fertilizerWorms of ChoiceRed Wigglers (Eisenia Fetida)English nightcrawler and white worms are also viable choices

24Cost AnalysisSystem AspectPart ListSKU/Serial #QuantityPrice Per PartCostControl SystemAtlas Scientific Dissolved Oxygen Sensor KitSEN-111941$189.95$189.95BNC pH Audrino Sensor ShieldP-00101$38.55$38.55RHT-22 Humidity/Temperture SensorSEN-101671$9.95$9.95Barometric Pressure Sensor - MPL115A1SEN-097211$12.95$12.95Pacific Sentry Ammonia Aqua Sensor5$8.99$44.95G1/2" Water Flow SensorPOW110D3B1$9.50$9.50Water Level SwitchSEN134B3B1$5.50$5.50MR-W1-P Flow SwitchSEN104A2B2$12.99$25.98Serial Camera Kit8150010011$29.90$29.908" eTapeLiquid Level SensorSEN-102211$39.95$39.95Graphic LCD 128x64 STN LED BacklightLCD-007101$19.95$19.95Arduino Mega 2560 R3DEV-110611$58.95$58.95Wires/ConnectorsVarious$50.00Total Cost$536.08

25Cost AnalysisSystem AspectPart ListSKU/Serial #QuantityPrice Per PartCostPlant/FishMain Tank2$400.00$800.00Caster WheelsMcMst. 9008T484$116.00$464.00Glass WindowACRYCLR0.750PM24X482$174.60$349.20Growbed2$250.00$500.00Growbed Stand2$200.00$400.00Total Cost$2,513.20Seedling BoxHousing & Drawers1$170.00$170.00Seedling Holder9$1.50$13.50slideMcMst.11435A289$20.57$185.13Total Cost$368.63Compost BoxHousing & Drawers1$160.00$160.00Total Cost$160.00GreenhouseAluminum BarsMetals Depot P412-60612$1,261.44$2,522.88Polycarbonate PanelingEnco 319-505534$126.77$4,310.18HingesMcMaster 8401A1713$13.17$171.21ScrewsMcMaster 91465A128184$6.07$111.69Total Cost$7,115.96Shrimp Box1-1/2x20 SCH40 PVC PipeUPC: 0385613012981$15.39$15.394x7 feet nylon fish netting2$19.99$39.981" PVC Sch. 40 90 ElbowSKU:413-01016$1.85$29.604 square feet mesh bird wire1$9.97$9.97Total Cost$94.94Cost of System:$10,788.81

Continued DevelopmentIn order to create a profit margin on this product we would need to find a way to find cheaper materials for the system.Research how to automate a response to a system failure. No human interaction required. Changes required to the product based on desired location of use (eg. Heating, cooling, ventilation)Other markets for similar product (eg. Red Cross, Peace Corps., restaurants)

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ConclusionWe have designed a concept for use by young students to gain greater knowledge on food health, water use, and space efficient growing methods. Our system is designed to require minimal human input while maintaining a highly functional system with substantial output of fish and food products.27