Items required

01. IBC tank:

Intermediate bulk containers are stack-able containers mounted on a pallet that are designed to be moved using a forklift or a pallet jack. IBCs have a volume range that is situated between drums and tanks, hence the term "intermediate“.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_bulk_container

 

1000L IBC tank

IBC tank cap closer view. The Bell Siphon will be fixed on this.

02. Air pump + Protective container: 

Plants, bacteria and fish all require Dissolved oxygen (DO) to be present in the system. Without it nothing would survive. Plants require DO around their roots to help with photosynthesis, beneficial bacteria require oxygen to help breakdown the waste material in the system and fish breathe by absorbing DO through their gills. In fact low DO concentrations are the number one cause of fish deaths in an Aquaponics system

In most cases Air pump is not necessary as the return water from Bell Siphon as well as the off-take from main line back to the fish tank breaks the water surface and thus allowing oxygen from the air to enter the tank water.

But to be on safer side I am simply over oxygenating the water.  Let them enjoy!!!

384L/hr Air Pump

Protective container for Air pump. Also act as Junction Box for electrical connection

03. Water pump + Hose + Hose to 3/4" PVC connector :

Pump is 1500L/Hr. Purchased two for emergency situations where active pump fails


More details about sizing the pump is available in the below link

http://brightagrotech.com/pumps-for-aquaponics-or-hydroponics/

 

For connecting pump outlet to grow bed inlet.

For connecting hose to 3/4" PVC pipe

04. Bell Siphon parts.

01. stand pipe  -  3/4'', Length 11.5''

02. Bell Siphon - 1.5'', Length 12''

03. Gravel guard - 4.0", Length 13''

04. Bell Siphon end cap - 1.5''

05. Gravel guard end cap - 4.0"

For connecting the 3/4 grow-bed stand-pipe to the IBC cap.

05. Flow control valve:
 
The flow control valve is attached to the off-take output on the main line, back to the fish tank. This control the water flow to the grow bed without stressing the pump.  Just one valve is used.

3/4" flow control valve. Three shown, but only one used :)

06. Shellac and solvent cement

Shellac is for gasket sealing and solvent cement for PVC bonding

07. Wire tie:

Wire tie

08. Elbow's and Tee's

Obviously, for plumbing :)

09. Plug points with ELCB:

A dedicated the plug point with ELCB is provided for IBCAS to protect from any shocking hazard.

More info regarding ELCB: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_leakage_circuit_breaker

Two plug points: One for Water pump and other for Air pump

10. HDPE liner:

HDPE sheet is used to cover the Fish tank as well as grow-bed. First of all I wanted to make sure that
chemical inside the tank(even though cleaned) is not getting mixed to Fish tank or grow bed and also it can protect the tank from UV rays.

HDPE sheet

11. Gravel

Many things can be used as grow medium.  Gravel (Baby Metal) is the cheap and easily available grow medium here.

12. Water test kit.












Tags: IBC, Aquaponics, Kerala, Aquaculture, Fish, Grow Bed, Fish tank, Bell Siphon