Further to our story on 14th Feb “10 year old Bonython girls leads the way”, we now have a newly produced “How To Manual” which we hope to be the first of many.
This one explains how the French family of Bonython developed their “Double Tub Aquaponics System” in the January school holidays.
You can download the manual on our Resources page.
Here is the contents verbatim as written by Liam French (13 years old).
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FRENCH DOUBLE TUB AQUAPONICS SET
List of Parts:
From Bunnings:
- Two 44 litre clear tubs, we bought UV resistant ones and made sure they had no wheels on the bottom. ($20 each)
- Arlec outdoor timer power switch. ($35)
- Wire mesh – small gauge to cover fish tub. ($7.50)
- Shade cloth – ½ a metre, it only needs to cover the fish tub. ($2.50)
- (You can also buy plants and seeds at Bunnings].
- From South Pacific Hydroponics, 84-86 Wollongong St Fyshwick:
- One 80 litre black tub ($55)
- Clay pebbles – 50 litre bag ($40)
- 2 input and 2 output drainage points and 4 extension risers ($50)
- Black tubing pipe – 2 metres ($3.30)
- One T-joiner ($0.75)
- One adapter to attach pipe to pump outlet. ($0.75)
- One tap to regulate the water flow ($0.75)
- One submersible pump 2300 watts ($85)
From the Aquarium shop, Wollongong St Fyshwick:
- Water testing strips. ($75) (these can be found cheaper on the internet if you look hard, they should test ammonia, pH, nitrate, nitrite, alkalinity & hardness)
From Officeworks:
- One 4’ trestle table. $40 (these can also be found at Bunnings)
Tools you will need:
- Shovel, Mattock, wheelbarrow, a leveller & a drill.
Now to start building:
Find a shady & spacious spot with an outdoor power plug nearby. Dig a level hole wide enough to fit the black tub in but leaving 10cm of the black tub above ground to prevent leaves and dirt and rain water washing in your fish tank. Putting it underground insulates it.
Use the trestle table to support the two clear tubs over the top of the fish tank. First put the two tubs onto the table making sure they were an equal distance apart. Using a drill with a 33mm drill bit drill a hole through both the clear tub and the table. One person should drill while another person stabilises the clear tubs. Drill four holes, one at each end of each tub. The input (flood) and output (drainage) points unscrew so that one part is inside the tub and one part is screwed onto it from underneath. Screw it to both the tub and the table. The input ones go in the holes closest to the outsides of the table and the output ones go in the other two holes near the centre of the table in the tubs. The extension risers go on the drainage points near the centre of the table so that the water goes in through the low point and drains out from the higher point.
Place the trestle table over the top of the black tub. Cut two pieces of pipe and connect them to the the inlet points on the underside of the table. Use the T-joiner and join the two pieces of pipe together. Connect a small piece of pipe to the bottom of the T-joiner and attached the tap for regulating the water flow. Below the tap add another piece of pipe and connect the inlets to the pump. We needed an adaptor to fit the pipe to the outlet on the pump. Cut two pieces of pipe and attach them to the outlet points. Make sure the outlet pipes end about 10cm above the water so that the water draining into the fish tank is oxygenated.
The outdoor timer has tiny red pegs. 1 in every 4 pegs must be moved outwards and the other 3 inwards. This is quite fiddly so small fingers or a small tool may be needed. Each peg represents 15 minutes so when the pump is plugged in it will pump the water for 15 minutes in an hour and provide nutrients for the plants. Plug the pump into the timer switch and the timer into the power. The pump should be submerged in the fish tank. Remove the filer sponge so that the fish waste will go through and up into the grow tubs. Don’t turn the power on yet. Wash the clay pebbles. We used rainwater since the pH level is better for the fish. Fill the clear tubs with the clay pebbles. Fill up to just above the drainage points. Fill the fish tank, again with rainwater if you have it. Don’t fill to the top of the tub but fill about 10cm-15cm below the top of the black tub. For two grow tubs you probably need six goldfish. We went to our local pet store and chose comets but any type of goldfish will do. While you’re there, buy the goldfish flakes to feed them. When you get home put your fish in the black tub and sprinkle a pinch of goldfish flakes.
Use the wire mesh, cut to the size of the tank having a little bit extra to bend over the lip of the tub. Place wire over the top of the black tub. Place the pipes through the holes of the wire and make sure the tap section is connected to the pipe. Cut a piece of shade cloth and cover the wire mesh. Cut holes in it to create room for the pipes.
Buy any seasonal seeds or plants from Bunnings or a nursery. Plant your seeds and seedlings in the grow tubs 3cm below the surface of the clay balls.
You now have finished the French Double Tub Aquaponics Set. Turn on the power and watch it go.
Blog by Liam French (13 years old)
4th March 2013