This 400 liter CHOP system was designed, and built in two days, during summer 2014.
You can use the Layer function in SketchUp, to get a step-by-step building instruction. All parts are made as components for easy use if you want to design your own system. You may copy and share parts or all if you link to this original. Comments and likes are appreciated.
MATERIALS
I used LACK tables from IKEA and food grade plastic containers for fish tank (1x140 liter), plant cells (5x70 liter) and sump tanks (2x140 liter). Even though the total volume add up to 770 liter.
The plastic containers are all covered by 30mm Styrofoam sheets to keep it warm, reduce evaporation, noise and algae growth.
The plastic containers are also clear so I can watch the water levels in the plant cells (and even in the bell siphon), the fish in the fish tank and the filters and pump in the sump tank through closable "windows" in the Styrofoam. The grow lamps are placed in an angle so the sun never reach any of the windows.
I use "volcanic rocks" as media to reduce weight and for easier and more comfortable planting.
I installed green LED light strips (5W) underneath the fish and sump tanks for easier inspection, cool effect and reducing algae growth.
The plumbing are 25mm PVC tubes and fittings. The overflow plumbing are all 32mm PVC tubes and fittings.
The CHOP system only use 1 pump (1000l/h, 22W) and one air pump (3W). But air pump is strictly not necessary in this system, because there are a lot of waterfalls. But better too much air!
SYSTEM READY
The fish (6 Gold fish, 7cm long), plants and 25 worms (Red wrigglers) were all introduced in October 2014 and now 3 months later everything is working perfect!
PH is still a little high (7,5) as it is still a young system. But the bacteria's and worms keep Ammonia and Ammonium levels at practically zero while producing more nutrients than my young plants are able to consume. I have eaten my first tomatoes, paprika, parsley, oregano and strawberries already!
Last week I had to add iron as my plants started to develop brown spots. Today, they are all fine again.
Temperature in room: 25 degrees Celsius.
Temperature in water: 22 degree Celsius.
Humidity in the room: 55% (No protection on walls or furniture was necessary to my surprise!)
Air ventilation in the room: none (but recommended!)
Smell: No smell except from my mint and oregano. :-)
Noise: Next to nothing. The Styrofoam keeps all the noise from running water and the pumps, inside the tanks. A fridge make more noise!
Timer: The pumps run 24/7. The grow lights are on from 21:00 to 09:00. At 08:30 The fish are woken up slowly by green light, then 15 minutes later yellow light are added. The lights are turning off again at 21:15 and 21:30. They get a 1 hour break in the middle of the day.
I have an automatic fish feeder that give them half a teaspoon pellets 5 times a day. Now I have my duck weed production up and running and feed them 1/4 a cup once a day instead of pellets. I save my pellets for when I go on holiday.
MAINTENANCE
I can easily adjust the water flow with only one valve. The valve direct water to the fish tank or back to the filters from the sump tank. By sending more water to the filters, less water goes to the fish tank and then to the plant cells. By turning the 90degree PVC fitting at the outlets of each plant cell, I can decide how fast or slow each individual plant cell are filled up. By turning the valve below each bell siphon, I can decide how fast or slow the water is drained from the plant cells.
The ebb/flow cycle is now at 9 minutes and all the plants seems to be very happy with that!
It took me about 4 weeks with daily check ups and try and error, to get the perfect setting of all the valves. Basically they are all now at "1 o'clock".
I built swirl filters to remove particles and extra solids, and so far they work very good! They cleaned up all the sand from the volcanic rocks within 2 weeks(!) The water is now totally clear and I have not yet had any need for any manual cleaning or extra filtering. The worms clean up the plant cells for me too! Me? I just plant seeds and eat! lol.
#aquaponic #Aquaponics #aquarium #DIY #fish #food #hydroponics #IKEA #plants #PVC #styrofoam #sustainability #table #Tilapia #vegetables
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