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

Tank Enlargement

The Problem…

Tank EnlargementShooting for 200-500 gallons (estimate)Wood frame (~$100), rubber liner (~$200-

300)Need ample woodRubber liner kit/system

Cement Pool (~$1000?, no firm estimates)Need framing materials, concreteDrain at the bottomStrong base for pool to rest

Tank Enlargement (cont.)Pre-made Container

100-300 gallon containerNeed to explore options for such solution in

Honduras (availability)Build from Steel (welded supports/plates)

Need ample scrap metalRequire assistance from students/people at

school

Pre-Trip Decision ConflictNew 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 ObjectiveEquip 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/CostItem 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

Sun Solar Panel

Charge Controller

Battery System

Inverter

Pump

Energy Transfer/Components

Timer

Daytime PowerPowering 2 X 80W

pumpsAeration pumpCirculation pump

200 W inverter required

Each panel delivers 50W maximum

Pick 5 panels for safety!We have more if we

need it….

Required Power

1 Panel 5 Panels 17 Panels Total

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Solar Power Capacity

Pow

er

(W)

Battery SizingAt night, we must run from

battery powerAssume we will run 18

hours without sunlight…160 W load when the

pumps are onCharge must stay above

20%

Pick duty cycle, then size battery bank!

=

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Battery Bank Capacity vs Duty Cycle

Duty cycle (%)

Capacit

y (

Ah)

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

Battery Charging

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 1000.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

18.00

Panels Required vs Duty Cycle

Duty cycle (%)

Num

ber

of

panels

(50W

each)

ChallengesBatteries are very expensiveMust 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 systemWhere do we install the solar panels?We can install more, but is there room?

Water Testing

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

Water Testing KitsNitrite & Nitrate

Dissolved Oxygen

Ammonia & pH Master Test Monitor

($11) Also measures

Temp Refills ($14 /2month

supply)

60 tests worth $11

25 test strips $11

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

Safety Risks• Sick fish and plants could cause human illness• Electrical equipment could be dangerous if exposed (will be contained)

Tasks will be shared by all group members.

Development Schedule

Reliability• Will produce fish and plants if kept healthy•Self sustaining power system

Implementation

Tank EnlargementCould 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 EnlargementFuture Recommendations:Find more durable materials for plant bedIncrease the power output from the solar

panels to move more water in an expanded fish tank

Further explore water cycling demands

Solar Panel Installation9 Panels were

installedPump duty cycle

was reduced to 50%

Actual energy usage by the pumps were found to be much less than expected

Solar Panel InstallationFuture RecommendationsUse more solar panels to charge battery on a

more efficient time scaleResearch better duty cycle

Water TestingTesting 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 0 0 - - 5B Sunday 7:30 PM - - 0 7.4 -A Sunday 7:40 PM 0-5 0 0 - 7C Sunday 7:45 PM 0-5 0 - - 5A Monday 7:20 AM - - 0 7 7B Monday 7:30 AM - - - - 4C Monday 7:30 AM - - 0 - 5

School Wednesday 8:45 AM 5 0 0 6.6 9A Wednesday 4:45 PM 0 0 - - 10C Wednesday 5:00 PM 0 0 0 - 8B Wednesday 5:15 PM 0 0 0 - 8

Water TestingFuture RecommendationsContinue with water testingKeep records of water statusIncrease testing near significant changes

such as adding new fish or harvesting plants

CostsThe 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?