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Aquaponics Proposal

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.

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Aquaponics Proposal

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

  2. Tank Enlargement

  3. The Problem…

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Solar Panel Installation

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

  9. Proposed System

  10. System Components/Cost Energy Transfer/Components Sun Solar Panel Charge Controller Battery System Inverter Timer Pump

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

  12. Battery Sizing • 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! =

  13. 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

  14. Battery Charging

  15. 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?

  16. Water Testing

  17. Nitrogen Cycle • Ammonia & Nitrite • 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 References: http://www.aquaponicsusa.com/Aquaponics_USA_Water.html

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

  19. 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.

  20. Implementation

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

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

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. Questions?

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