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Automated Aquaponics

By: Andrew Boring, Dennis Doyle, Anthony Escandon, Jackson McKissick, and Christy Rigsby

ENGR 4850

12/1/2014

ContentsSummary.................................................................................................................................................4

Problem Definition..................................................................................................................................5

Background.............................................................................................................................................6

Aquaponics..........................................................................................................................................6

Nitrogen Cycle.....................................................................................................................................7

Plant and Animal System Component Ratios.......................................................................................9

Nutrient and pH Dynamics................................................................................................................11

Solids Removal..................................................................................................................................13

Freshwater Prawns............................................................................................................................14

System Water Changes......................................................................................................................14

Vegetation Beds.................................................................................................................................15

Aquaponics Plants.............................................................................................................................17

Fish Tanks.........................................................................................................................................18

Sump Tank.........................................................................................................................................18

Filtration...........................................................................................................................................20

Lighting.............................................................................................................................................21

Circuitry............................................................................................................................................23

Sensors..............................................................................................................................................24

Computer Equipment.........................................................................................................................24

Description of the Design......................................................................................................................24

Physical Description...........................................................................................................................25

Operational Description.....................................................................................................................28

Description of Subsystems....................................................................................................................31

Filtration Subsystem..........................................................................................................................31

Filtration subsystem (RO/DI..............................................................................................................31

Fish Tank...........................................................................................................................................31

Sump..................................................................................................................................................32

Lighting Subsystem............................................................................................................................32

Vegetation Component.......................................................................................................................32

System Plumbing...............................................................................................................................33

Solenoid Valves.................................................................................................................................34

Terminal Blocks.................................................................................................................................34

DAQ and ISE.....................................................................................................................................35

Programming.....................................................................................................................................36

Electrical Subsystem..........................................................................................................................36

Detailed Description..............................................................................................................................36

Vegetative Components.....................................................................................................................36

Fish Tank............................................................................................................................................43

Filtration............................................................................................................................................44

Sump..................................................................................................................................................47

LabVIEW Virtual Interface..................................................................................................................52

Electrical Interface.............................................................................................................................60

Details of Purchased Components.....................................................................................................60

Description of Assembly.....................................................................................................................60

Pictures of Final Design......................................................................................................................61

Detailed Cost Estimate..........................................................................................................................72

Conclusions and Recommendations......................................................................................................73

References.............................................................................................................................................75

Appendix...............................................................................................................................................78

Summary

This report summarizes the progress made thus far and the remaining tasks. It explains each of the subsystems within the aquaponics project. The subsystems consist of: filtration, fish tank, sump, lighting, vegetation, plumbing, solenoid valves, terminal blocks, DAQ, programming, and electrical subsystems. To date, the team has spent $3269.

There have been numerous accomplishments throughout the summer and fall on the aquaponics system. The project has been constructed and is currently operational. The vegetation system includes a raft type vegetation bed and a media bed. A filtration system was added to remove solid waste from the fish tank. Head losses were calculated throughout the system. An emergency cut off system was installed to prevent excessive water loss in the event of a blowout. The LabVIEW interface was written to process real-time water parameter data and to actuate system solenoid valves. A hopper was added to the system and is regulated by a timer.

In conclusion, both vegetation bed systems worked well with the system. Certain plants worked better with a particular type of vegetation bed. The plants that are being grown directly in the fish tank, the fish will eat the roots. The pH turned out to be one of the biggest factors affecting the health of the system. It is easier to convert ammonia into nitrates then it is to convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. Some recommendations are to determine a better way to clean the corners of the tank and changing the wooden box for the media bed to a plastic box.

Problem Definition

Productive aquaponic systems require robust feed rates and high fish densities in order to supplement plant component nutrients and produce usable crops. The existing aquatic environment at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) lacks proper design for efficient plant and animal cultivation. While the current system functions properly and contains several automated subsystems, it does not support chemical-based water changes, usable crops, or edible fish. Current feed rates and fish densities are unable to adequately sustain the plant components made evident by the lack of nitrates within the system.

The previous project’s purpose was to create an aquatic environment with automated self-sustaining capabilities. The existing system utilizes automatic feeders, pumps, and filters to maintain conditions suitable for both fish and plant life. The client has expressed interest in a compact, productive aquaponic system with automated system controls and maintenance features.

The goal of this project is to create a stable aquaponic system which will produce edible crop of plants and fish. A secondary goal of this project is to automate the system based on the chemical levels of the water. The proposed project will incorporate the knowledge from the previous project as well as information gained from further research in designing a new, fully-functional, small-scale aquaponic system.

Design Objectives Sustainability Economical satisfying Requires minimal human interaction Fish and plant production Sufficient circulation and flow rate System stability Compact

Aquaponic systems are highly beneficial to entities in need of low-maintenance, long-term, low cost supplements to their food supply. They greatly reduce the overall water usage of plant components due to the constant circulation process. Additionally, plants grown in aquaponic

environments tend to grow at a faster rate than traditionally planted crops. Unlike in traditional gardens and farms, insects, rodents, and other animals are not a danger to aquaponic systems. In addition to more rapid growth, plants grown in an aquaponic system can be grown closer together, which allows for an increase in plants that can be grown in the same area as a traditional plant bed. Additional benefits of automated aquaponic systems include real time system monitoring capabilities, enhanced system stability and consistency [24].

Background

In order for the aquaponic system to be productive on a small scale, regard to efficiency and maximization of space must be incorporated into every aspect of the system design process. A complete project background will incorporate the knowledge and research completed by the previous aquatic environment group with current industry aquaponic farming methodologies. Research should be conducted relating to the plants and animals that will be most successful in an aquaponic system. In order to maintain system stability, a method of calculating plant to animal component ratios must be adopted and implemented. Because space is limited, background research relating to the optimization of grow bed areas is necessary. Plant and animal components should be selected after taking into consideration design goals and limitations. Information is also needed in the determination of sensing hardware and system automation components.

Aquaponics

Increases in population density and land premiums have prompted entities within the agriculture sector to look for alternate means of food production. Aquaculture farming (the controlled cultivation of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans) has been the only sector of animal food production that has consistently grown in the last thirty years [12]. Globally, the aquaculture industry today produces around 66.5 million tons of fish and the hydroponic industry (the cultivation of plants in a non-soil medium) is growing produce inside 400,000 acres of greenhouses [10].

The Food and Agricultural Organization of The United Nations (FAO) projects that in order to maintain current levels of per capita consumption, global aquaculture production needs to be around 80 million tons by 2050 [12]. This is an increase of 30 million tons from current production rates.

Aquaponic food cultivation systems combine the cultivation techniques of hydroponics with those of aquaculture [2]. Hydroponics systems require a means of supplementing essential nutrients and aquaculture systems require some mode of waste removal. By incorporating these two farming systems into one symbiotic environment, the demands of each respective system are ideally met. Such dual crop systems drastically reduce the need for external interaction by recirculating system water while simultaneously removing toxic waste products [2].

Aquaponic systems use around 5% of the water used in traditional farming methods because water is filtered and cycled. The FAO estimates that total global water demand will rise by over 35-60% by 2025 [12]. With agriculture using around 70% of global water supplies, the future farming industry will be in increased competition with urban populations for water [12]. Aquaponics has the potential to help lessen agricultural water usage.

There are many additional benefits to aquaponic systems. Plants grown in such systems have faster growth rates than soil farming leading to faster crop maturity and higher yields. Because aquatic animals cannot tolerate fertilizers and pesticides, customers are guaranteed that produce grown in aquaponic systems is completely organic [21]. Such crops can be grown on land that is undesirable or in urban environments. Because the grow bed media is soil free, aquaponic systems are also able to avoid many soil diseases and pest issues [12].

While aquaponic systems may be more ecologically friendly than traditional farming methods, the claim that such systems are completely sustainable are often false. This is because the feed pellets that are used in most commercial aquaponic systems are made from fish caught in the wild at a rate that outstrips the capacity for population recovery [21].

Nitrogen Cycle

A productive aquaponic system relies on the symbiotic interaction of plants and animals as a means of filtration and fertilization facilitated through the nitrogen cycle [2]. The nitrogen cycle plays a vital role in aquaponic systems, as it provides nourishment for the plants and converts ammonia into useful chemical compounds. Fish produce waste through both their breathing and their feces production. The solid organic waste, which is primarily ammonia, is inherently toxic to fish if system levels are allowed to build. In the aquatic nitrogen cycle, bacteria known as nitrosomonas convert the ammonia into nitrites. The nitrites are then broken down by additional bacteria, known as nitrobacter, into nitrates, which serve as a fertilizer when absorbed by the plants in the grow bed as shown in Figure 1 [18].

There is much confusion associated with the differences between nitrification and de-nitrification within aquaponic systems. The reaction processes of ammonia being converted into nitrites and nitrites being converted into nitrates are both nitrification processes. Such processes are acid producing and will lower system pH levels. The process of nitrates being broken down into free nitrogen and oxygen is known as de-nitrification. The de-nitrification process is facilitated by additional anaerobic bacteria which can grow where solid buildup creates anaerobic conditions. The de-nitrification process is basic and will raise the pH of the aquaponic system [29].

Figure 1. The Aquaponic Nitrogen Cycle [29]

A well-developed aquaponic system should be able to convert all waste produced by the fish in the form of ammonia into nitrates and nitrites as seen in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Aquaponic System Nitrification Time Response [30]

Plant and Animal System Component Ratios

One of the major challenges associated with the design of an aquaponic system is the determination of the ratio of plant to animal components. In order for aquaponic systems to be successful, the needs of both plants and animal must be met concurrently on a long-term basis with minimal operator intervention. Plant components require nutrients beyond what the nitrogen cycle associated with fish waste decomposition provides [12]. This presents a number of design problems that must be overcome in order to achieve a stable aquaponic system. There are a variety of approaches to the determination of plant and animal component ratios. Though successfully employed by backyard enthusiasts, many of these methods lack scientific foundation and are developed on a trial-and-error basis. Some approaches compare the volume of tank water to the volume of water in the vegetation bed. Other techniques compare the volume of tank water to the volume of media in the vegetation bed. Additional alternative methods suggest a fish ratio compared to the volume of vegetation media. According to Dr. Wilson Lennard “The only really predictable ratio associated with aquaponic system design is based on the amount of fish feed that enters the system as related to the number of plants we grow. Any other aquaponic design ratio cannot express the direct association between the two major components of the system; the fish component and the plant component [29].”

There are two prominent theories within the aquaponic industry that offer scientifically sound approaches to plant versus animal ratios. The UVI method, which was developed by Dr James Rakocy at the University of the Virgin Islands, supplies additional plant nutrients by increasing the feeding ratio of the fish component as compared to the plant component [20]. If fish waste solids are allowed to build, a process known as mineralization occurs and essential nutrients are produced through the decomposition of organic waste (see Nutrient and pH Dynamic section). A second technique, known as the Lennard method, was developed by Dr Wilson Lennard in conjunction with Aquaponic Solutions™. This approach has lower feeding and fish density ratios compared to the plant components than the UVI method. Lennard plant to animal ratios will eliminate the buildup of excess nutrient salts, however additional nutrient supplements must be added to such systems in order to sustain plant components.

Both the UVI and Lennard approach use the same general method of determining plant and animal component ratios [12]. The steps for system component sizing are as follows:

1. Assess plant area available.2. Determine how many plants for the given area.3. Develop a feeding rate to supply determined number of plants with essential nutrients.4. Determine the number of fish required to eat the given amount of fish feed. 5. Calculate the necessary volume of water required for determined number of fish.

The determination of the fish feeding rate will depend on the plant to animal component ratio methodology selected (UVI or Lennard).

Dr. Rakocy’s UVI method is the global standard in the design of aquaponic systems. In correspondences with our team, he has shared with us examples of his methodology for determining plant and animal component design ratios (see Functional Description section for application of UVI method for the determination of system sizing and productivity rates).

The UVI approach suggests 60 grams of feed per square meter of vegetation bed per day [20]. The Lennard approach will recommend a lower feeding rate that is more specifically tailored to the crop to be cultivated along with other specific design parameters (see Figure 4).

Once the desired feed rate is determined, the amount of fish needed to consume the food imputed into the system can be found using aquaculture industry Feeding Conversion Ratio (FCR) metrics [20]. The respective species FCR is the ratio of pounds of feed to pounds of growth that a species is able to achieve. Figure 3 presents the FCR metrics for a number of fish species that are common to aquaponic farming. The inverse of the FCR (1/FCR) is the feeding efficiency. Multiplying the feeding efficiency by the annual feed rate (as dictated by either the UVI or Lennard feed rates) will yield the pounds of fish produced by the aquaponic system on an annual basis [20].

Figure 3. Aquaculture FCR metrics [22]

Once the annual fish production in terms of pounds of fish is known, the number of fish produced by the system can simply be found by determining the harvesting weight of the desired crop and dividing the annual pounds of fish production by this harvesting weight [20].

The UVI method recommends a fish density of no more than half a pound of fish per gallon of water. Multiplying this recommended fish density ratio by the annual pound production will yield the volume of water needed for healthy fish production [20].

Dr. Lennard has also developed spreadsheets to aid in the determination of proper plant to animal ratios. Though mathematical models for the Lennard approach are proprietary, spreadsheets for plant and animal sizing which employ his method exist publically and can be accessed freely online (figure 4).

Figure 4. Media Bed Sizing Spreadsheet for Lennard Approach [29]

Nutrient and pH Dynamics

A successful aquaponic system maintains a chemical balance that allows system functions which are critical to stability and productivity to be optimized. Special attention should be given to system nutrient and acidity levels in the design process.

Plants need 16 essential nutrients for optimal growth. Three of the most common nutrients required are carbon (C), oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H). These macronutrients are supplied mainly by water and carbon dioxide gas [20]. Other important macronutrients include: nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S). Some of the less abundant micronutrients that aquaponic plant crops require are: chlorine (Cl), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) [29]. In order for plants to be successful, the aforementioned macro and micronutrients need to be balanced properly. Excess of one nutrient can inhibit the uptake of another. For example, excess of potassium may reduce the uptake of magnesium or calcium or visa-versa [20].

When higher organic load aquaponic system water is allowed to recirculate with less than 2 percent daily water exchange, an excess of non-toxic nutrients accumulate within the system [20]. This aerobic decomposition process, known as mineralization, is essential if the vegetation

bed is to be successful without external supplement. A proper balance of the accumulation of solids and appropriate PH levels will result in the greater accumulation of these important inorganic nutrients that are necessary for healthy plant growth [20].

The method of determining the system plant to animal ratio has a big role in determining how the system nutrient dynamics will be. The Rakocy UVI approach which supplements plant nutrients by increasing feed rates and fish densities as compared to plant components, allows an excess of nitrogen to build within the system to allow for the mineralization of other nutrients. The advantages of this system are that most or all of plant essential nutrients are supplied by the fish component. This eliminates the need for an excess of buffers and nutrient supplements. The disadvantage to the UVI approach is that nutrient levels can fluctuate. High levels of nutrients can lead to phytotoxicity (an excessive buildup of nutrient salts), which will kill plant growth [20]. While the majority of essential nutrients for healthy plant growth are supplied by the fish component in the UVI approach, potassium and calcium levels are usually insufficient. Potassium is often added to the system in the form of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and calcium is added as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). The addition of these bases serves the dual purpose of raising pH levels that are often lowered by nitrification, while also supplementing deficient nutrients [20].

For systems using the UVI approach, if anaerobic zones are allowed to form, de-nitrification may occur as nitrogen components are broken down into N2 gas which is released from the system [29].

The Lennard approach supplies the exact amount of nitrogen that the plant components require by lowering the organic load (feed rates and fish density) on the system as compared to the plant component [29]. While this method lowers the potential for nutrient spikes and phytotoxicity, it requires the manual supplementation of other essential plant nutrients and requires greater operator interaction. The Lennard approach is more customized and specific to individual crops because various plant species require specific nutrient sets. Buffers and nutrient additives must be catered to the crop grown since no excess of nutrient salts are to be developed with this method.

Aquaponics operators should check the total dissolved solids (TDS) of the system nutrients periodically to avoid phytotoxic nutrient levels while ensuring sufficient plant nutrient supplement. The TDS can be measured on a parts-per-million basis or as a measure of electrical conductivity (EC millimhos/cm) within the system water [20]. For aquaponic systems the range of nutrient TDS is from 200 to 400 ppm or 0.3 to 0.6 mmho/cm. Phytotoxicity occurs at a TDS above 2,000 ppm or an EC above 3.5 mmho/cm [20]. EC levels can be measured with inexpensive conductivity meters. System ions that increase conductivity are: nitrate (NO3

-), phosphate (PO4

-2), sulfate (SO4-2), K+, Ca+2 and Mg+2 [20].

The determination of appropriate system pH levels should take into consideration healthy ranges for both plant and animal system components in addition to providing a balance that optimizes the nitrification and mineralization processes. Most hydroponic plants are more successful at a pH in the 5.5 to 6.5 range while bio-filtration nitrification is most effective for pH ranges from 7.0 to 9.0. Nutrients supplied through mineralization such as iron, manganese, copper, zinc and boron are less soluble at a pH higher than 7.0 while other essential nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and molybdenum are much less soluble at a pH lower than 6.0 (Figure 5). Generally speaking, plant and animal requirements as well as mineralization and nitrification processes are usually maximized by maintaining system water pH level near 7.0 [20].

Figure 5. Solubility pH Range of Essential Plant Nutrients [4]

Solids Removal

The necessity and means of solid waste removal should be evaluated on the basis of the organic loading rate of the desired aquaponic system. Fish-focused systems with high feeding rates and feces production rates should be equipped with some means of capturing and removing solids on a daily basis such as through the implementation of screens or drum filters [20]. Systems with lower organic loading may not need any mechanism of solid removal as some solids are necessary for mineralization and de-nitrification [20].

It is important that a balance is maintained between having sufficient solids for mineralization while disallowing accumulation of un-stabilized solids to form on tank bottoms. Excess of solids that have not undergone microbial decomposition can create anaerobic zones where toxic gasses such as hydrogen sulfide and methane can form and can lead to high mineralization rates which lead to system phytotoxicity [20].

Freshwater Prawns

Freshwater prawns feed off of the waste of fish. They can be a useful addition to aquaponic systems as a means of solids removal. While larger scale aquaponic operations are sometimes able to sell prawns as an actual food product, smaller systems can employ freshwater crustaceans simply to avoid solid buildup. In order to protect from predation, a habitat can be created by screens raised off of the tank bottom.

Freshwater Prawns market grow-out size is in the 30-100g range. At an average stocking density of 20,000 per acre, an average harvest should yield from 500-900 lbs per acre [27]. For smaller applications, Prawns should have no less than one square foot per animal. Prawns are sensitive to low water temperatures and cannot survive at temperatures below 57 ⁰F [27].

System Water Changes

System losses and evaporative effects will necessitate the reintroduction of small amounts of water periodically. Water changes also serve to remove excessive nutrients and toxic compounds, and can aid in maintaining system stability. While selecting a site for an aquaponic system, attention should be paid to possible nearby sources of water. Common sources of water include municipal, well, or rain water as well as water purified by some form of filtration [6]. If municipal water is used, it must be treated to remove the chlorine and fluorine before it is introduced into the aquaponic system.

Reverse osmosis (RO) filters can be used to purify water sources. While RO filtration results in well-purified water, filtration rates are slow and some means of purified water storage is most likely necessary to provide the system with adequate water changes.

System water can be removed via drain valves installed at the bottom of sump or aquarium tanks. Significant water removal can also take place in process associated with the removal of waste solids [6]. System waste that is vacuumed with venturi mechanisms, removed through saturated filter media, or vacated via bottom drain, all cause significant system water losses.

Vegetation Beds

A vegetation bed is the most efficient area to provide proper filtration for the fish tank in an aquaponic system. It provides nitrogen fixing bacteria a place to break down ammonia and nitrites which keeps water clean and healthy for the fish to live in. The type of plants that are going to be grown as well as the available area will determine exactly what type of vegetation bed that should be used in the system.

The vegetation bed must be sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the aquaponic system’s water and plants. The material must be non-toxic, safe for food, waterproof, and not alter the pH levels of the system. The vegetation bed must also be deep enough to accommodate a wide variety of plants.

There are many types of vegetation beds that can be used in aquaponic systems. Some common configurations are: the raft method, also known as the Deep Water Culture (DWC) Method, Media-based Method and the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system. Not all beds are suitable for every plant type. Some plants will thrive more in specific types of vegetation beds. This is due to a variance in water circulation rates and root exposure between respective vegetation bed configurations [14].

The raft method (shown in Figure 6) is a commonly used technique employed in aquaponics; it incorporates the use of a floating material to create a “raft-type” device that floats on top of the water. Such systems are relatively inexpensive and easy to operate. In raft configurations, water is pumped through the vegetation bed after being filtered to remove the solid waste [7]. The plants are placed in holes that are located in the raft, allowing the roots to grow into the water. Since this method uses higher volumes of water, it provides stability within the system as the temperature remains more constant. The raft method is one of the more efficient methods for harvesting plants due to the condensed nature of the vegetation bed. However, there are only certain types of plants that are able to thrive in high saturation type vegetation beds [14].

Figure 6. The Raft System [14]

The NFT system is another method commonly seen in aquaponics. Such bed configurations are used more for large scale operations as they require higher initial capital investment. Since there is no surface area exposed to the air in NFT systems, a biological filter is incorporated in order to allow the bacteria to develop for nitrification. The plants are often held in netted growing pots, which are placed in holes that have been cut out of a pipe. This type of system is only suitable for plants that have small root systems like leafy green vegetables as larger root balls can impede system circulation [7]. Figure 7 below is an example of the nutrient film technique applied to an aquaponic system.

Figure 7. The NFT System [7]

A media-based aquaponic system is user friendly and can be applied for small scale or large scale aquaponic systems. The seedlings are placed in containers that hold small rocks and clay pebbles which absorb water and air and also serve to filter the solids. This eliminates the need for extra filter apparatus as nitrifying bacteria is able to build within the media [14]. Media-based systems can be configured with constant flow where water circulates from the sump tank through the vegetation bed in a continuous cycle. Alternately, the vegetation bed can be configured to allow for periodic ebb and flow. This is accomplished through the implementation of a bell siphon that is imbedded within the vegetation media. The draining of the vegetation bed can also be actuated by a valve and timer configuration. Figure 8 below is an example of a media-based aquaponic system [7].

Figure 8. The Media-based System [7]

Aquaponics Plants

Plants require various growing conditions depending mainly on root structure. Plants with weak root structure are more successful in floating vegetation beds, whereas most other plant types grow well in media beds. Plants such as lettuce and herbs need a floating bed for ideal growth. For tomatoes, peppers and others types of multiple yield plants, media beds are the best option.

The environment in which the aquaponic system is placed should be considered when deciding what types of plants to grow in the vegetation bed. In order to produce a sustained food supply, staggering the harvests is advisable so that all the produce does not become ripe simultaneously.

Lettuce is one of the quickest yield vegetables in an aquaponic system, reaching peak maturity at approximately twenty-eight days. The optimal water temperature for lettuce can vary between twenty-five and eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Where size constraints exist, a plant with less bulky vegetation such as an Italian-style wax bean can offer a nutritious alternative. Beans can be harvested around fifty-four days from being planted, and are successful in temperatures ranging between fifty-nine and ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit [13].

Wheatgrass is another plant that can flourish in aquaponic systems. There are many benefits to growing wheatgrass. Less water consumption than other crops, robust and healthy growth rates, and quick harvest time make wheatgrass a choice crop. If grown using the raft method on top of the fish tank, many species fish can feed on the roots. While such a configuration may supply the fish component with an additional food source, the overall system feed rate should not be

decreased as the nutrients needed to sustain the wheatgrass are still supplemented via the fish food. Wheatgrass is ready to be harvested when it reaches approximately four inches tall. There are many health benefits to consuming wheatgrass, such as lowering blood pressure, restoring blood alkalinity, detoxifying the human body, and protecting the liver and blood [19].

Fish Tanks

Fish are the heart of an aquaponic system; they provide nutrients for the plants and protein for the customer. There are many different types of fish that can flourish in an aquaponic system. Tilapia, the second most cultured fish in the world, is tremendously popular in aquaponics. Tilapia is an ideal species for multiple reasons: they are easy to breed, are fast growing, can withstand very poor water conditions, consume an omnivorous diet and can thrive with high feeding rates. Tilapia require warmer water and are most successful in temperatures ranging from 82-86 ͦF. Trout is another great fish for aquaponics. Trout prefer water temperatures between fifty and sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. They also have fast growth rates and food conversion ratios [3].

Fish are more successful in higher volume or lower fish density configurations.. Rule of thumb cultivation standards as well as the UVI method suggest that it is best to have at minimum a ninety gallon fish tank with no more than one pound of fish for every two gallons of water. An average amount of fish consumed per year is around thirty-seven pounds per person. An aquaponic system with a rearing tank for hatchling fish and a one hundred gallon main tank could provide two people crops of fish consistent with current average annual fish consumption rates.

Sump Tank

A sump tank is an area where run-off water accumulates. It sits at a lower point than the vegetation bed allowing for gravity fed recirculation. The sump tank needs to be big enough to handle the system when all vegetation beds are full. To determine the necessary sump tank size, one should add the total water volume of the vegetation beds and subtract the displacement effect of the vegetation media. Also, the minimum amount of water that must remain in the sump tank to cover the pump should be calculated to protect against, pump cavitation, vapor lock and unnecessary wear [23].

There are many benefits to using a sump tank in aquaponic systems. One advantage is that a sump tank increases the volume of water contained by the aquaponic system making water properties more stable and easy to manage. Also water that is allowed to fall into the sump tank helps to oxygenate the system. Sump tanks also make it possible to have quite a large system without having to put any of it in the ground because the increased volume maintains more stable

temperatures. Another advantage of having a sump tank is that it can store young fish within it, avoiding predation from fish in the main grow-tank.

There are a variety of fish and sump tank configurations. One such example is a sump tank with two pumps in the system (shown in Figure 9). A two-pump sump tank system works by pumping water from the fish tank into the vegetation beds. The water then drains from the vegetation beds into a sump tank. The sump tank is operated by a float valve and as the water level in the sump tank raises, the pump switches on, pumping water back into the main fish tank. The float valve switches the pump within the sump tank on and off. The height that it turns on can be set so that the sump tank retains a good volume of water allowing young fish to be stocked in the sump tank [5].

Figure 9. Sump Tank Two Pump [5]

Another type of system that incorporates a sump tank is called a Chift Pist (shown in Figure 10). Such systems use just one pump in the sump tank, and rely on gravity feed for the remaining system water circulation. When the fish tank reaches a certain height, the overflow pipe discharges water out of the fish tank and into the vegetation bed. After peculating through the grow bed, the water is then gravity fed back into the sump tank. This type of system has many advantages over other system configurations because there is no pump necessary from the fish tank to the vegetation bed. Due to the plumbing configuration, the fish tank water level stays around a constant height, and if there is a pump failure or blackout, the fish tank will stay full [5].

Figure 10. Chift Pist [5]

Filtration

Today's aquarium filters offer a wide variety of options to keep your aquarium water clean and healthy. When choosing filtration, base the decision on the size of the aquarium as well as number of fish in the aquarium. To achieve the absolute best water conditions, additional types of filters may be required [8].

Gravel filters use the movement of water through the gravel into the filtration system. This filtration system creates conditions favorable for biological filtration, the colonized bacteria in the gravel efficiently breaks down waste material. This type of filter is used for aquariums with a lighter fish load. Under gravel filters are fairly inexpensive due to relying on an air pump or power head to operate. These systems can also feature replaceable cartridges placed at the end of the ridged tubing to add supplementary chemicals like activated carbon.

Internal power filters are filters completely submerged in water near the bottom of the aquarium. Since these filters are placed at the bottom of aquariums they efficiently remove waste from the aquarium before it has a chance to settle on the bottom which provides excellent water movement and filtration. These filters are space savers and feature air-driven internal filters and the power and versatility of standard power filters [8]. Air-driven internal filters are typically used for rearing fish, small aquariums, and quarantine tanks. These filters are strong enough to maintain healthy water conditions yet gentle enough to keep same species in the tank free from harm of the pump. This filtration device provides mechanical chemical and biological filtration for the aquarium.

Canister filters are the most efficient in mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration. These filters are mainly used for larger aquariums with a large population of fish. Canister filters are designed to hold media which is a substance used to filter waste from water. The media can either be layered on top of each other or separated into different canister filters and connect in

series to filter the aquarium. The efficiency of the filters is high, but the setup and maintenance of media can become difficult.

Wet/Dry filters are the main form for biological filtration. These filters are very effective for larger aquariums that are demanding of biological filtration. These filters are made up of both aquarium water and a significant amount of air. This creates an ideal environment for large numbers of bacteria to actively produce waste materials [8]. The filters are generally used for the more advanced aquarium user. They need to be plumbed into the system and can be very elaborate when setting up. Most wet/dry filters include a sump/reservoir that holds auxiliary equipment along with required water return pumps [8].

Filter TypeCostRange

Setup SkillLevel

Effectiveness:Mechanical

Effectiveness:Chemical

Effectiveness:Biological

Air-drivenInternalFilters

Low Basic Low Low Low

UndergravelFilters

Low-Medium

Basic Low Low Medium

Power Filters

Low-Medium

Basic Medium Medium Medium

InternalPower Filters

Low-Medium

Basic Medium Medium Medium

CanisterFilters

Medium-High

Intermediate

High High Medium

Wet/DryFilters

High Advanced Medium Medium High

Figure 11. Overview of Filtration Systems and Benefits [8]

Lighting

Aquarium lighting plays a vital role in aquariums. Lighting provides vital energy to photosynthetic plants and animals. Proper aquarium lighting is essential for any system that contains any plants, anemones, or corals that requires photosynthesis to produce food. Lighting is also essential to the overall health of the fish and well-being of the entire system. Aquarium lighting has three basic rules: provide 1 to 2 watts of lighting per gallon for fish only aquariums, 2 to 5 watts per gallon for freshwater-planted aquariums, and 4 to 8 watts per gallon for reef aquariums [9].

There are four main categories for aquarium light fixtures. Normal output fluorescent lighting also called standard fluorescent lights. This method is the easiest form to light the aquarium. This method generally relates to freshwater fish only tanks. This fixture can be made up of several different types of bulbs to create the perfect conditions for the aquarium. The bulbs used are easy to use, affordable and energy efficient.

Compact fluorescent bulbs have a higher watt output than standard fluorescent systems. This system incorporates dual or quad tube bulbs to create the greater output. This system creates a fixture with more than double the output per bulb and takes up less space than a standard fluorescent bulb system.

Metal Halides are a high intensity discharge lighting system. These bulbs are made up of a series of wires connecting another glass bulb (arc tube) within it, when electricity passes through the arc tube, the gases and metal salts contained within the tube produce light [9]. These lighting systems are used in aquariums deeper than 24 inches, due to the high output of light. They are also mainly used for reef aquariums where most inhabitants need a higher output of light to thrive.

LED lighting emits light as energized or exited subatomic particles pass through a semiconductor material [9]. The production of light is called electroluminescence, which requires significantly less energy to operate and produces much more vibrant lighting spectrums.

50/50 or Actinic White Bulbs - Emit a blend of white and blue light that helps recreate marine light conditions. Generally, it is a combination of 10,000°K white light and blue actinic light. This blended light encourages photosynthetic coral growth while providing light that is pleasing to the human eye.

Color-Enhancing Bulbs - Emit light from the "warmer" end of the color spectrum to augment or enrich color. Designed to display the colors of your fish to their fullest. Ideal for fish-only fresh and saltwater aquariums.

Full Spectrum/Daylight Bulbs - Emit all the wavelengths of visible light and closely approximates the visual effects of natural sunlight. Contains a blend of all the colors of the color spectrum. These general-purpose bulbs are ideal for all types of fresh and saltwater aquariums.

Actinic Bulbs - Emit light predominantly from the blue end of the color spectrum. Recreates light conditions found in deep water and provides the light energy necessary for proper photosynthetic coral growth. Actinic bulbs are ideal for reef aquariums.

Plant Bulbs - Emit light that stimulates plant growth. With peak light emissions in both the red and blue regions of the color spectrum, this light maximizes photosynthetic activity for lush planted aquariums.

High-Intensity Bulbs - Emit bright light with a high color temperature (Kelvin-rating) usually ranging from 10,000°K to 20,000°K. It is a crisp white light commonly used in conjunction with actinic bulbs in marine aquariums. 20,000°K bulbs will emit a brilliant white-blue light that appears "cooler" to simulate deeper marine light conditions.

Figure 12. System Bulb Specs [9]

Figure 12 represents the different types of bulbs used in lighting systems and the technical details associated with each bulb.

Circuitry

The circuitry in an aquaponic system serves to power the system and transfer information between components. The power supply provides electricity to all of the electronic components in the aquaponic system, including the pumps, sensors, computer, and lighting systems.

The lighting system in an aquaponic system is designed to duplicate the effects of the sun on the plants in the grow bed system. Light bulbs in an aquaponic system can vary in power usage from 10W to 60W, depending on the type of bulb used [25]. Types of lighting will be discussed in a later portion of this proposal.

Many possible sources of power are available to power an aquaponic system so long as the power supply provides the same power as an electrical outlet. Solar, battery, and generated power are all viable options should the power outlet be deemed an inferior power source.

Sensors

Parameter levels can be measured through many different means. Each parameter has unique properties that can be measured to quantify the intensity of the parameter. For example, the property of heat that causes objects to expand is used to measure temperature. Although there are many methods of measuring parameters, the most efficient method is to use sensors. Sensors are devices that measure system parameter levels [1]. Each type of sensor is designed to detect certain characteristics of their surroundings. The main form of chemical sensor is an ion-selective electrode (ISE), which uses a glass membrane lined with an appropriate ion to test for the concentration of the desired compound. For example, pH sensors utilize silicon-lined glass membranes to detect the acidity of water by forming temporary bonds with the monoxide and hydroxide ions formed when water becomes acidic. These bonds create an electric potential that is measurable with a voltmeter. Higher voltages mean higher pH [16]. Similar testing mechanisms are available for most water chemical parameters.

Computer Equipment

Data acquisition (DAQ) is the process of measuring an electrical or physical phenomenon such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, or sound with a computer [17]. For the DAQ system to function it needs a sensor, a DAQ device, and a computer.

The computer is an important part of Data acquisition; it is what controls the DAQ device. Different types of computers are used in different types of applications; a desktop may be used in a lab for its processing power, or a laptop may be used for portability [17]. A valuable program used to collect data for the DAQ device is LabVIEW.

LabVIEW is a program used to automate testing and data gathering. It is a graphical programming language in which the user can set up the program to manipulate and store data [17]. LabVIEW is already available from the previous aquatic system, so this should help limit some cost when dealing with the computer equipment expenses.

Description of the Design

Physical Description

After thorough research and consideration of the described project functions and objectives, the aquatic environment team has developed a detailed design an aquaponic system which will serve the needs of the client. The system is to be located on the north-facing wall in the fluids lab on the first floor of the Engineering Math and Computer Science building on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus.

The system will span sixteen feet horizontally, and will be visible from the main first floor hallway through two (2) of the fluids lab windows. The following physical description is from an observer orientation inside the fluids lab looking at the system while facing toward the northern wall (toward the hallway). A detailed schematic is presented in Figure 19.

Figure 13. Overall Design Schematic

The left-most part of the system will consist of an industrial rack supporting vegetation rafts. The vegetation beds will be centered with the left-most window as to allow for viewing from the main first floor hallway. A computer which will house the DAQ virtual interface built in the program LabVIEW will be located immediately adjacent and to the right of the vegetation rack. To the right of the vegetation bed, behind the DAQ system, there will be a three foot gap to allow for piping and conduit which will supply water that is pumped from the sump to the vegetation bed and primary fish tank. The primary fish tank will be seated on a six foot long table that is centered under the right window. The system sump tank will be located directly under the primary fish tank table. The sump will house the main system pump as well as a sand filter (contained within a submerged five-gallon bucket). Immediately to the right of the sump and primary fish tank will be a small swirl tank as well as a thirty-five gallon barrel for purified water storage. Finally, an RO filter will be mounted on the right-most wall near an existing water line.

Figure 14: Media Bed Flow Diagram

Figure 15: Raft Bed Flow Diagram

The aquaponic system is designed for maximum controllability with manual ball valves installed in such a manner that every system component can be isolated from the circulation of system water for maintenance and operational adjustments. The primary pump is to be a Mag 18, which will feed water from the sump up to a tee where the flow will be divided and routed to the vegetation bed and primary fish tank (see System Plumbing in Sub-System section for complete description). In order to prevent overflow of the sump in the event of a power failure, the sump tank will have sufficient extra volume as to accommodate all possible drainage from the vegetation raft beds. Raised outlet pipes in the raft beds will also help to minimize drainage of the rafts during a power failure.

Water from the primary fish aquarium will drain via an overflow into a swirl tank where suspended solids will be removed and vacated down an existing drain in the corner of the fluids lab. Solids will be removed by the automatic actuation of a solenoid valve. This process will involve the removal of a no more than five gallons of water from the aquaponic system. Pure water stored in the RO barrel will be introduced into the system by a secondary pump which is actuated by a float switch located in the sump tank. A tertiary pump will be placed on the bottom of the primary fish tank as an agitator to ensure sufficient flow and aid in the movement of solids from the primary tank into the swirl tank.

Operational Description

Figure X

The figure above indicates all critical valve and components to this system.

1. Control valve - inlet to main tank which can be adjusted to increase flow or decrease flow as need if flow to the top raft bed is either increasing or decreasing.

2. Control valve – Bypass valve which is only to be open when system is in bypass mode, either raft vegetation bed bypassed or main tank bypassed.

3. Control valve - inlet to main tank which can be adjusted to increase flow or decrease flow as need if flow to the top raft bed is either increasing or decreasing.

4. Control Valve – to allow filtration of sump tank without introducing water into main tank.

5. Control valve – water flow regulation main tank over flow into swirl filter. Usually works best ar ¾ turn open.

6. Control valve – water flow control to top raft vegetation bed. Works best all the way open. You can control flow by adjusting control valve 1 & 3.

7. Control valve – water flow regulation to media bed. Works best at ¾ open.8. Control valve - Main tank overflow control. This valve allows the needed water flow

from main tank to be at the required level to insure that flooding does not occur in the main tank. Works best fully open.

9. Control valve – valve used in the refilling of food storage container. Close before removing container (11) and open when container is filled back with all necessary piping connected.

10. Hopper motor – Motor is attached and glued to auger bit. When disassembled do not break seal or connection will be compromised and will not turn properly.

11. Hopper food storage – This houses the container for the dish food. Check weekly for level conditions.

12. Valve – Controls infeed of RO/DI storage water into the tank. Works best at ¾ open.

All solenoid valves used in this system are normally-closed, which means that they only allow the flow of water through them when they receive enough AC power to open them. This both allows the desired functionality when the system is operating under normal conditions and prevents water from flooding the corresponding tanks in the event of a power outage.

The solenoid valves allow the transfer of water between different portions of the system at times determined by either coding or hardware position. The coding in LabVIEW toggles the drain solenoid when the nitrate concentration in the water is outside the acceptable threshold. The refill solenoid is controlled by a relay that is toggled on and off by a float switch installed in the drum. When the water level in the white drum is below the float switch's threshold due to the automatic water changes, the solenoid opens and allows fresh water to flow into the drum until it reaches the threshold of the float switch. It then closes until the water level falls below the threshold again.

All solenoid valves used in this system are normally-closed, which means that they only allow the flow of water through them when they receive enough AC power to open them. This both allows the desired functionality to occur when the system is operating under normal conditions and prevents water from flooding the corresponding tanks in the event of a power outage.

Horizontally-installed float switches connected to the coil pins of R22 series relays control the flow of AC power to the three pumps in order to regulate their activity. The upper float switch is oriented such that it rests in its horizontal position when the water level is below the desired level, only allowing the DC voltage used to operate the relay to flow when gravity closes the switch. Therefore, the pump is always off when the water levels are at or above the desired levels. The upper float switch regulates the process of refilling the system with fresh water from the white drum on the opposite side of the system.

The lower float switch acts as an emergency shutdown switch. Unlike the upper float switch, the lower float switch is oriented such that it is only in its horizontal position when the water level is above the acceptable level. When the water levels reach that height, the cause of such water loss is most likely due to a critical blowout. Therefore, when the water level is lowered to the level of the lower float switch, all three pumps are deactivated to prevent further water loss.

The feeder hopper circuit is controlled similarly to the drain solenoid valve circuit. The 120VAC that powers the 4W Class F synchronous motor is directed from a power outlet into an R22 series relay, which is toggled by an R70 relay at the CB-50 board by LabVIEW. The synchronous motor's movement rotates the auger drill bit, crushing and dispensing the fish food in a single action.

The aquaponic system is operated through the computer next to the media bed. The computer feeds electricity to the system pumps via the sensor DAQ module mounted between the sump tank and raft beds. The computer also takes in water parameter data through into a LabVIEW interface. In order operate the LabVIEW interface, open LabVIEW and select the VI titled New DAQ. The VI is normally designed to remain running 24/7. Time intervals located on the left-most part of the block diagram specify what parts of the day the VI actually is taking in data. These intervals are in seconds and can be adjusted by clicking on the constant boxes while the VI is stopped. The specified operational time intervals can be overridden by toggling the “Run Manually” button located on the front panel. When the VI is running, pH, temperature, and nitrate data will be graphed in real time on the VI front panel. This data can also be written and stored in an excel file. In order to write data, specify the sampling rate by entering the number of seconds in the sampling rate box located on the VI front panel. The VI is programmed to build a file and write data to the file at the specified sampling rate. Files will be time and date stamped automatically. The files can be accessed under documents > aquaponics data. Water can also be drained from the swirl filter by toggling the “Swirl Filter Drain” button located on the front panel.

Water parameter levels can be measured through many different means. Sensors have been chosen to measure the water parameters since they are the most efficient method. Each type of sensor is designed to detect certain characteristics of their surroundings. The pH sensor monitors pH change during chemical reactions or in an aquarium as a result of photosynthesis [1]. The pH sensor utilizes silicon-lined glass membranes to detect the acidity of water by forming temporary bonds with the monoxide and hydroxide ions formed when water becomes acidic. These bonds create an electric potential that is measurable with a voltmeter. This sensor is connected to a Vernier sensorDAQ, using LabVIEW programming for automated data collection, for graphing, and data analysis. The temperature probe like the pH sensor is a Vernier product that is functional with the sensorDAQ. It acts as a thermometer and monitors the water temperature for the fish tank. The last sensor utilized for the system is a Nitrate ISE sensor mad by Cole Palmer. This sensor was implemented to monitor the Nitrate readings of the aquaponics system. This particular sensor has a BNC connector, using an electrode amplifier; it can connect to the sensorDAQ for data collection.

Description of Subsystems

The preliminary design was broken up into subsystems in order to accurately explain each aspect of the project.

Filtration Subsystem

In order to maintain proper water parameters, the system containing ammonia, which is toxic to the fish, must be filtered through the vegetation beds. The vegetation beds will help to eliminate toxic chemicals that are not suitable for the fish to live. Water contains fish waste will enter the swirl filter using the force of gravity from the main tank. There the mechanism will remove a large portion of solids created by the fish. This is a crucial part of the filtration system. If solids are not removed it will contaminate water parameters more quickly, plant beds will accumulate toxic waste, and plant roots will become unhealthy. After the swirl filter the water enters the sand filter, here it is in the second stage of filtration. This will help to remove smaller particles left in the water. The cleansed water then remains in the sump to be pumped to the vegetation beds. There it can be sent to the plants to remove the nutrients needed for plant growth. It then is gravity feed back to the sump to complete the process. Refer to Figure 30 in Appendices for filtration schematic.

Filtration subsystem (RO/DI)

The system will need a supply of clean water to combat the evaporation of water. To do this an RO/DI water filtration system will be installed. Tap water often contains impurities that can cause many problems when added straight to the system including phosphate, chlorine, and various heavy metals. Copper is often present in water due to leaching pipes, this is highly toxic to fish. With the RO/ DI system this will remove these impurities that can cause damage to our system. We will have a continuous 35gallon RO/DI water storage tank that will supply and maintain the water level in the sump through an auto top off switch.

Fish Tank

The tank containing the fish must be able to withstand a high volume of water and large number of fish. The team has selected a 125-gallon tank. The dimensions are 72 ½ x 18 ½ x 23 3/8 inches with a glass thickness of ½ inch. The total weight with water will be 1400 lbs. The tank will be equipped with two over flows on the back wall. It will be pre drilled to eliminate any

cracking or leaking made from drilled holes after assembly. This tank meets all requirements specified by our client and team members. It maximizes the total space allotted by the client.

Sump

The sump is the center for this entire system. It will contain all filtration units, probes, heaters, and any other devices needed to be hidden from viewers. The sump also contains a large amount of water; this provides a larger water volume to help stabilize water parameter spikes in the system. The sump will also contain an auto top off device. This will be attached to a pump in the RO/DI water storage tank, when the water reaches a certain level the switch will turn on the pump to bring water into the system until it has reached stable water levels.

Lighting Subsystem

Lighting is essential for proper plants growth. Due to natural lighting being insufficient for this system, supplemental lighting will be required. This system will contain three (3) T5 fluorescent grow lights. The dimensions on each measure 4’ x 2’ x 5’’ and will have a light output of 20,000 lumens. As a design group the grow lights chosen are effectively the best for conditions needed for the plants to have maximum output. Each light will be attaché to the bottom of each shelf with 4 nuts and bolts approximately one foot above the plants. The top shelf will have a hanging mechanism to hold the light securely one foot above the plants.

Vegetation Component

The vegetation components of the system will be housed on an industrial rack inside heavy-duty, plastic containers. While the client has expressed some interests in having the plant roots displayed in clear plastic containers, team research has determined that plant roots which are exposed to light can develop detrimental algae and bacteria. Algae growth within the raft container as well will be minimized through the use of black containers.

As previously stated in the report, the raft method will be the system grow-bed method of choice. Three (3) raft containers will be housed on shelves spaced around 20 inches vertically apart.

Figure 16. Vegetation Raft Bed

The industrial rack which will house the vegetation beds is six feet tall and rated to carry a load of up to 800 pounds per shelf. Each shelf of the rack will be made out of three-quarter inch plywood that is coated with waterproof sealant. Each raft container is twenty-four inches wide, thirty-six inches long, and eight inches deep. Each raft will house approximately twenty-nine gallons of water and have a weight of 240 pounds each. System water will be introduced at the uppermost container. Each container will have a three quarter inch hole drilled in the bottom to allow system water to drain to the container below and, for the bottom-most container, back into the sump. In order to prevent overflow of the sump in the case of power failure, the drain lines connecting the raft containers will be extended five inches vertically from the bottom of each container. This will prevent the raft containers from completely draining during a pump outage. Piping between containers will be sealed through the use of bulk union fittings as well as caulking. Flexible tubing will be attached from the bottom-most container, and fed back into the sump tank.

System Plumbing

Comparative analysis determined that the optimal pump and plumbing configuration is a one-primary-pump system. Water will be discharged from the Mag 18 pump which is to be located in the sump tank, into an inch-and-one-half diameter PVC pipe. This pipe will extend vertically up to a reducer tee which divides the system water into two (2) three-quarter inch diameter PVC lines directed toward the primary fish tank and upper-most vegetation bed respectively. Both the tank and vegetation three-quarter inch lines will feed into tees with manual ball valves plumbed immediately behind each fitting. These tees will loop back down and into an inch-and-one-half

diameter pipe that drains back into the sump tank. These re-circulatory lines will allow either the vegetation or fish component to be isolated without disrupting system operation. The re-circulation lines will maintain optimal system head pressure and insure steady flow rates in the system that is not isolated. This will allow for individual component maintenance while the majority of the system remains in operation and will help to insure that component problems remain isolated and do not threaten the well-being of other system components. The primary fish tank will have two (2) overflow drain lines located in a partitioned corner of the tank. One line will feed directly down into the sump tank while the other will drain to the swirl tank for filtration. Both of these lines will be plumbed with manual ball valves. This will serve the purpose of maintaining sufficient drainage from the primary fish tank in order to keep up with the inlet to the primary tank (being fed from the primary pump in the sump tank). This will also allow the operator to regulate the amount of solid removal from the system. If more solid removal is needed, the direct overflow line from the primary fish tank down to the sump can be partially closed to force more water into the filtration loop.

Solenoid Valves

Solenoid valves will be utilized by the system in case of emergencies. In order to regulate how the system behaves in the event of a power outage, solenoid valves will be placed between the swirl tank and the fish tank and between the fish tank and the sump. These solenoid valves will be normally-closed, meaning that the valves are open when powered and closed when unpowered. A normally-open solenoid valve will be placed between the ROTI unit and the main fish tank to allow for the automation of clean water input. The solenoid valve between the swirl tank and the fish tank will prevent overflow from the fish tank in the event of a power outage from overfilling the swirl tank. The solenoid valve between the fish tank and the sump will be used to prevent overflow of water into the fish tank from overfilling it. In short, the solenoid valves will be placed to minimize the negative effects of a power outage.

Terminal Blocks

A terminal block is a screw-type electrical connector where the wires are clamped down to the metal part by a screw. It is a method of connecting a selection of different electrical wires; it is a connector which allows more than one circuit to connect to another circuit. It often contains two long aluminum or copper strips that are designed to connect different components. Terminal blocks also go by the name of barrier strips; they contain rows of short metal blocks with screws or other fastener devices used to make firm mechanical bonds to conductors [17].

Figure 17. Terminal Block

The steps to take to use a terminal block correctly consist of:

1. Terminal Block Type – Look at the electrical equipment being used to see what type of connection it requires.

2. Choose Terminal Block – Find the terminal block that fits the rest of the requirements. Space is important; know how much space is need for the connection and how many wires need to be connected.

3. Screw-in Connection – Strip a small amount of the insulation from the end of the wire.4. Plug-in Connection – Position the terminal block and run the electrical wires to it,

connecting the male terminal to the female port.5. Test Equipment

DAQ and ISE

A Vernier SensorDAQ will be used to acquire data about system parameters using various electrodes. The SensorDAQ delivers data directly to LabVIEW, which will then record the system parameters and perform tasks based upon the parameter levels. Of the sensors, five of them (ammonia, potassium, calcium, nitrates, and pH) will be ion-selective electrode probes. Each of these probes will be sensitive to specific chemicals in the water, allowing for accurate chemical readings. The temperature and electrical conductivity (EC) meter are not ion-selective electrodes. The temperature meter is a simple fish tank thermometer. The EC meter, on the other hand, utilizes the electrical conductivity of nutrient-rich water to provide information about the current condition of the nutrient levels within the water. The EC meter, the thermometer, and the five ion-selective electrodes will be connected to the Vernier SensorDAQ and will enable automation of the system based upon the parameters collected.

Figure 18: Parts of a DAQ System

It is important that all equipment and sources of voltage and current, such as an item under test, should not be powered when making connections between sensors, actuators or other components and the DAQ system. This is especially critical when using current transformers and measuring high voltages and ac current.

Programming

A program written in LabVIEW will create the automation of the system desired. The program will be able to compensate for fluctuations in chemical parameters by performing the appropriate actions to restore and maintain system stability. This program will have control over the ROTI system, the solenoid valves, and the water intake. The program will record data at a regular interval to ensure stability. This program will communicate with the sensors described previously to adequately judge what needs to be accomplished to maintain system stability.

Electrical Subsystem

The electrical subsystem consists of the computer, sensors, SensorDAQ, solenoid valves, and terminal blocks. Each component of the electrical subsystem is unique by itself, but when combined they form a proper monitoring and automation system.

Detailed Description

Vegetative Components

The vegetative components within the aquaponics system can be broken down into two separate sub-systems, each utilizing a different aquaponic technique. The raft method allows plants to grow while floating on top of the water while the media “ebb and flow” method allows plants to grow in an actual substrate while still being subjected to periods of complete submersion.

Some of the vegetables grown in the system are shown in the figure below.

Figure 19. Project-grown aquaponic vegetables

The system incorporates the aquaponic raft method through the use of a series of plastic bins in which plant roots are allowed to hang, submerged directly in the system water. An industrial rack houses three (3) raft beds which are vertically aligned (seen in Figure 20).

Figure 20. Raft method vegetation rack.

Water is pumped via the primary sump pump into the vegetation bed feed line. This supply line is located between the vegetation rack and aquarium into the top raft bed. Each raft bed has the

dimensions: 25''x35.5''x8''. Three-quarter inch bulk-head unions installed into the raft bed side-walls around 5 inches up from the bottom of each raft provide an outlet for the water to flow to the next raft below (shown in Figure 21) and eventually, back into the sump tank (Figure 22 ).

Figure 21. Raft bed outlet

Figure 22. Raft rack drain line

The high positioning of the bulk-head unions on the raft-bed wall minimizes the volume of water that can drain back into the sump tank in the event of a power outage. For the surface of each raft, the team elected to use rigid insulation. Rectangles were cut in order to fit into the raft bins (shown in Figure 23).

Figure 23. Rigid insulation raft

An array of circular 3.5 inch diameter holes drilled into each raft allows for plant baskets to seat on the rafts as seen in Figure 23.

Figure 24. Raft baskets

The buoyancy and thickness of the rigid insulation raft results in the plant baskets bottoms being submerged while the upper part of each basket remains above the water line. The tomato plant in Figure 25 is being grown on top of the aquarium using the raft method. It is a good example of the amount of root submersion that exists in vegetables grown using this technique.

Figure 25. Tomato roots grown using the raft method

Four (4) T5 fluorescent light ballasts have been ordered and will be installed on the bottom of each industrial rack shelf with chains to allow for adjusting the proximity of the lights to the rafts. A light weight frame will be built to house the upper-most light. The selected T5 lights are 4 feet long and consist of four (4) bulbs positioned side-by-side with a total width of one foot.

The bottom-most raft bed is located on the bottom shelf of the industrial rack, preventing the possibility of gravity feed back into the sump tank. This raft bin (shown in Figure 26) was designed for the cultivation of duckweed which serves as a secondary food source for the Tilapia.

Figure 26. Duckweed grow bin

The duckweed grow bin is not supplied with gravity-fed water from the raft above but rather is supplied with the “waste” water filtered from the RODI filter. A secondary “nutrient water” input for the bottom bin comes from a line that tees off of the media bed supply line and is controlled by a solenoid valve (shown in figure 27) which is to be activated by the LabVIEW interface.

Figure 27. Duckweed nutrient water solenoid valve

Because the duckweed bin is constantly supplied with municipal water, the nutrient water solenoid valve need not be opened more than once a week for a duration of a couple of minutes. Three-quarter inch tubing attached to the bulk-head union outlet of this raft bin drains directly into the corner drain in the floor allowing the bin to serve as a secondary method of carrying out water changes.

During the initial building stages, it became apparent that the plant bed area could easily be increased while keeping the project within the overall designated area that the team was allotted. Space for the RODI system and storage tank was needed leaving the area directly above the filtration system open. A team decision was made to build and install a media bed above the pure water tank which is located immediately to the left of the initially proposed raft-bed rack. The media bed addition offered a number of crucial benefits to the system with minimal drawbacks as can be seen in Figure 28.

Benefits Increased plant bed area Increased water volume provides more stability of water parameters Increased surface area for nitrosomonas and nitrobacter bacteria Allows for comparative analysis between growing methodologies Can be built with zero increased cost to the project (team possessed all supplies

necessary)

Draw-backs Requires a second pump Complicates system flow rates and water levels Increased building time Increased plumbing clutter in sump tank

Figure 28. Media bed pros and cons decision rationale

Water to the media bed is pumped from the sump tank via a 0.75 inch diameter PVC pipe. The input line has a ball valve installed to regulate the flow rate of the media bed loop. The media bed itself consists of a 31.5''x44''x10.5'' rectangular wooden bin (shown in Figure X). The inside seams of the container are sealed with silicone and the entire bed is lined with a thick PVC plastic liner.

Figure 29. Media bed

A bell siphon installed in the corner provides an outlet for the media bed water. It consists of a 0.75 inch standpipe covered with a capped 4 inch pipe with teeth cut on the uncapped end as seen in Figure 29. The entire bell siphon is housed in a 6 inch diameter perforated pipe which allows water to enter the bell siphon while holding back the hydroton media.

Figure 30. Media-bed bell siphon

The media bed contains around 8 inches of hydroton substrate. A small amount of sphagnum peat moss has also been added to naturally regulate the system alkalinity.

The media bed employs the “ebb and flow” technique (see plant bed description). Water pumped from the sump tank slowly fills the plant bed until the bell siphon is activated, causing the media bed to drain rapidly back into the sump tank via a 1.5 inch PVC pipe shown in Figure 30.

Figure 31. Media-bed return-line

The primary-pump main header located in the sump tank ends in a four-way tee (Figure 32).

Figure 32. Main header 4-way tee

Detailed Design:

Fish Tank

The fish tank selected for this project is made by Marineland. It came preinstalled with predrilled corner overflows designed to deliver maximum circulation and water flow in the tank. Corner overflows were selected to eliminate dead zones , locations in the tank with minimal flow creating debris buildup, and minimize flow noise. Plumbing used in the overflow section included (4) bulk-head fittings, (2) 1 ½” PVC drains, (2) 1” return pipes and (2) dual loc-line outlet nozzles. The Fish tank is also equipped with distortion free glass and sealed with silicone to prevent capillary action and leakage. The dimensions on the tank are 72” x 18” x 22”.

Water is drawn from the surface and bottom levels at a rate up to 700GPM, providing maximum circulation efficiency.

Figure 33. 125 gallon fish tank.

Filtration

Swirl Filter:

The swirl filter is used in our Aquaponics system to filter solid waste from our fish tank to aid in the process of removing Nitrate spikes. The swirl filter consists of a black container with dimensions 22”x7” allowing for optimal area for solids to collect. A 1 1/2” PVC pipe is attached to the fish tank overflow drain pipe. This feeds the water supply going into the swirl filter with a 90 degree ball value to control the flow at which the water enters the filter. There were two drains installed with 1” bulkheads. The first drain supplies the clean filtered water back into the sump by allowing the inlet water to circulate around the container while the debris sinks; clean filtered water rises up overflowing into the exit drain. The second drain is used for solid removal. Its purpose is to aid in preventing nitrate spikes, creating easy access and controllability with a manual ball valve for evacuation.

Figure 34. (1) Swirl Filter. (2) Manual control Valve for exit to drain for solid removal. (3) Solenoid for automatic solid removal.

Figure 36. (1) Manual control valve from corner over flow in fish tank. (2) 90 degree elbow to control direction of flow. (3) exit rain into sand filter. (4) overflow bypass line.

Sand Filter:

The sand filter in our aquapoinics system is designed to create high amounts of surface area for aerobic biological filtration. The advantage of the sand filter is its capability of self-cleaning by constant churning and mixing, allowing for bacteria built up in the sand to break down unwanted nutrients in the system. The sand filter in the water supply is fed from the 1 ½” exit drain from the swirl filter, allowing for debris that remains suspended that escapes the swirl filter to be caught in the sand. This sand filter also allows for micro particles that the swirl filter is unable to catch to be held in the sand for break down. The 1 ½” pipe is fed down into the center of a 5 gallon bucked filled with sand. The water flows down the PVC and up through the sand, allowing for filtration and aeration of the water. The then filtered water overflow over the edge of the 5 gallon bucket and back into the sump tank.

Figure 37. Sand Filter in the sump.

RO/DI:

The Reverse Osmosis and Deionization filtration system is used to purify the water supply coming from the city line. This filtration system is used to remove harsh chemicals from the water before it is introduced to our system. Unfiltered water can create pH spikes due to water hardness, excessive algae growth and can harm both fish and plants. The RO/DI system creates purified water by forcing pressurized tap water through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane only allows very small molecules (such as H2O) to pass through it, effectively removing up to 99% of most water impurities. The RO/DI system chosen for this project was Aquatic Life RO Buddie. The daily output is 50 GPD, and includes 1 sediment cartridge and 1 carbon cartridge.

Figure 38. RO/DI apparatus used for the project

Sump

The sump tank for this project is considered the housing for this system. The sump is made up of a 150 gallon plastic container. Its dimensions are 2'x2'x6'. This container is beneficial in many ways. It increases our water volume, which in turn makes our entire system more stable. The larger the water volume, the less likely a drastic water parameter change is to occur, making it more likely to catch the problem before it harms both the fish and plants. The sump also contains both pumps that supply water to the fish tank, raft beds and media bed. The pumps chosen are Pond Master magnetic drive utility pump. The pump's maximum water flow is 1800GPM; shutoff height of pump is 16.85’, with ¾” FPT inlet and ¾” MPT outlet. It was chosen for the high water output to supply both the floating raft beds and the return line to the aquarium. The second pump is a Supreme classic utility pump. The maximum water flow is 950GPM; shutoff height of pump is 13.5’, with FPT inlet and ¾” MPT outlet. This pump was chosen to supply the media bed. The sump also contains two Tru Temp 200W fully submersible Aquarium heaters.

Figure 39. The sump which houses all pumps, heaters and filtration systems. (1) exit line from sump tank. (2) Manual control valve supply water from mag 18 to left side of tank. (3) Manual control valve supply water to right side of tank. (4) Swirl Filter. (5) Return line from Media bed. (6) Manual control valve for recirculation line.

Figure 40. (1) Mag 18 supply water to tank and raft beds. (2) Mag 9.5 supplying water to media bed. (3) return line from corner overflow in fish tank. (4) 200 watt heaters.

The primary system pump is located in the sump tank. It is capable of pumping flow rates up to 1500 GPM. The pump head curve of the Mag 18 is presented in Figure X.

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 100011001200130014001500160002468

1012141618

Mag 1800 Pump Head Curve

Flow Rate GPH

Tota

l Hea

d (ft

)

Figure 41. Magnetic-drive 18 pump head curve

The left line branching off of the 4-way tee is the input line to the raft bed vegetation rack. The right line is the recirculation line. The recirculation line serves as a means of ensuring that the raft and aquarium loop flow rates can remain constant in the case that the operator desires to turn a specific loop down or off. Not only does the recirculation line maintain a steady flow rate through system valve adjustments, it also allows the pump to produce flow rates that optimize pump efficiency which helps to reduce the power consumption of the pump.

The line directly through the main header 4-way tee feeds into the aquarium header. The 1.5 inch aquarium header tees and feeds into the back corners of the fish aquarium. Ball valves are installed on the right and left aquarium input lines to allow the operator to regulate the aquarium loop flow rates as well as the direction of currents within the aquarium.

The secondary pump supplies water to the media bed via a 0.75 inch supply line. The pump is a Magnetic-Drive 9.5. The pump head curve for the secondary pump is shown in the figure below.

Figure 42. Mag 9.5 pump head curve

Rough calculations and estimates of water line head losses were conducted during the design phase of the project. A detailed and comprehensive pressure loss analysis has subsequently been conducted for each water system loop. Calculations were carried out using the equivalent length method. Pressure friction and static pressure loads using the general schematic presented below.

FF

Figure X. Piping system schematic

Figure 43. Diagram of pressure losses

System pressure losses are presented the table below.

h=2.9 ft

h=4.67

h=3.67

h=1.33Media Bed Loop

Raft Bed Loop

Main Header

Aquarium Loops (L, R)

Table 4. System pressures losses

Raft Loop

Nominal Pipe Dia (in) Fittings Quantity Equivalent Length (ft)

Straight Pipe - 9.167Male Adaptor 1 2

Ball Valve(full bore)

1 0.206

90 deg Elbow 2 4Tee (side) 1 5

Aquarium Left Loop

Nominal Pipe Dia (in) Fittings Quantity Equivalent Length (ft)

Straight Pipe - 0.083Male Thread

Adaptor1 4.5

4-Way Fitting (straight flow)

1 2.7

Tee (side) 1 8Ball Valve

(reduced bore) 1 3.875

1.5 in-1 in Reducer

1 13.5

1 Straight Pipe - 0.333 0.039 0.0130

Aquarium Right Loop

Nominal Pipe Dia (in) Fittings Quantity Equivalent Length (ft)

Straight Pipe - 2.8334-Way Fitting (straight flow)

1 2.7

Tee (side) 1 8Ball Valve

(reduced bore) 1 3.875

45 Deg 2 4.2Tee (straight) 1 2.7

Straight Pipe - 0.2590 deg Elbow 1 2.5

Media LoopNominal Pipe Dia (in) Fittings Quantity Equivalent Length (ft)

Straight Pipe - 1090 deg Elbow 4 8

Ball Valve (Open

Do/Di=.9)1 5

Tee (straight) 1 1.445 Deg 1 1.1

Main HeaderNominal Pipe Dia (in) Fittings Quantity Equivalent Length (ft)

Straight Pipe - 1.333Male Thread

Adaptor1 4.5

1.5

@480 gph

0.75

1.5

1.5-0.75 inReducer

1 52.5

4-Way Fitting (side flow)

1 8

@480 gph

@1800 gph

0.75

1.5

1.5

1

@480 gph

@600 gph

Pressure friction head loss

(ft H2/ft pipe)

4.67 7.539

Pressure friction head loss

(ft H2/ft pipe)

0.005

1.5 in-1 in Reducer

1 13.5

Height (ft) Total Head (ft)

0.056

Pressure friction head loss

(ft H2/ft pipe)

0.3025

2.567

0.1633

0.1623

0.326666667

Head Loss (ft)

0.126

0.005

Pressure friction head loss

(ft H2/ft pipe)

Pressure friction head loss

(ft H2/ft pipe)

0.126

0.005

0.059

Header and Loop

Grand Total (ft)

10.203

Head Loss (ft) Height (ft)

1.6843

1.333 1.509

0.18901.333

4.173

2.663

Head Loss (ft) Height (ft)Total LoopHead (ft)

3.213 2.9 6.113

2.337

8.776

2.663

Height (ft) Total Head (ft)

System Pressure Loss yellow= critical path

Header and Loop

Grand Total (ft)

Header and Loop

Grand Total (ft)

Header and Loop

Grand Total (ft)

-

4.348

Total Head (ft)

Head Loss (ft) Height (ft) Total Head (ft)

Head Loss (ft)

LabVIEW Virtual Interface

A computer located at the end of the system allows for data signaling and acquisition. The system computer takes in real-time water parameter data from Sensor DAQ and CB-50 boards. The computer DAQ card samples data from the aquarium at a rate of 30 samples per second. The sampled data is in the form of raw voltage ranging 0-5 VDC. Ultimately the LabVIEW VI will process pH, Temperature, nitrate, and ammonia data. The LabVIEW front panel is presented in Figure 44.

Figure 44. LabVIEW VI front panel

Signals are fed into the LabVIEW VI where data can be discreetly sampled and fed to an excel spreadsheet. The VI also creates a data file where the spreadsheet is dated and then filed in a folder on the hard drive (shown in Figure X).

It is a secondary goal to ultimately publish system parameter data and graphs online where any observer can monitor system conditions remotely both by pc and mobile device.

The VI block diagram programming is presented in Figure 45.

Figure 45. LabVIEW block diagram

The .csv file is which is created by LabVIEW is presented in Figure 46. The excel spreadsheet data files can be located in Libraries<Documents<Aquaponics Data.

Figure 46. Water parameter csv data file

Upon completion, the LabVIEW VI will be operating solenoid valves on the swirl tank drain line, the duckweed bin, and the municipal water input. A series of timers, Boolean functions, and case structures will carry out water changes on a completely automated basis. The solenoid valve VI programming can also easily be connected to the water parameter data that is being fed into the VI. This would allow for water changes should the system water parameters get outside of a desired range. The ability to make automatic water parameter adjustments means that the system tends to stabilize naturally drastically, reducing the need for operator interaction.

The electrical subsystem of this aquaponics system consists of four circuits that serve to power the electrical components of the overall system as well as control various aspects of the system. Utilizing the controllability of LabVIEW and the versatility of relays, the electrical subsystem allows the aquaponics system to run autonomously.

The first circuit is the cutoff/refill circuit, which is controlled by two horizontally-installed float switches and relays. The schematic of the circuit, shown below in Figure 47, regulates the flow of water into and out of the sump tank in normal operating conditions as well as emergency situations, such as a blowout in the pipes. For the sake of simplicity, schematics for the DC and AC portions of the circuit have been included in Figures 48 and 49,

Figure 47. Circuit Schematic of the Cutoff/Refill Circuit

respectively. The float switch labeled "Float_Switch_1" is placed at the bottom of a PVC pipe used to control the switch's elevation. Any time that the water level falls below this float switch, the switch is opened, removing DC power from "Relay_1" and cutting power to the AC portion of the circuit. This serves as an emergency cutoff circuit to minimize water loss in the event of a blowout.

Figure 48. Circuit Schematic of the DC Portion of the Cutoff/Refill Circuit

Figure 49. Circuit Schematic of the AC Portion of the Cutoff/Refill Circuit

The float switch labeled "Float_Switch_2" is placed on the same PVC pipe as "Float_Switch_1" but at a higher elevation. This float switch and its corresponding relay allows AC power to flow through a tertiary pump that pumps water into the sump tank. The float switch is placed in a normally-open orientation so that the pump will only be powered when the water level is low in the sump tank. Unlike the emergency cutoff portion of the circuit, the refill loop will be toggled on a daily basis, as this will serve as the system's source of automatic water input.

Construction of this circuit is simplified through the use of two 10-input terminal blocks (similar to the 4-input terminal block shown in Figure 50), which allow for easier implementation of circuits with parallel elements. Each terminal of the terminal block consists of both an input and an output. "Jumper" wires were placed at the outputs of any two terminals that needed to be placed in parallel. The usage of terminal blocks reduces the complexity of the physical circuit as well as the space required to implement it.

Figure 50. Terminal Block Similar to the Block Used

The relays used in this circuit are two R22-5D16 single pole-double throw relays. They are rated for 5VDC for the coil voltage and 250VAC at the switch terminals. One such R22 relay is shown below in Figure E. Due to the nature of SPDT relays, the position of the float switches is arbitrary so long as the appropriate output is selected on the relay for the desired system operation.

Figure 51. R22 Relay Used in the Aquaponics System's Electrical Subsystem

The second circuit in the electrical subsystem controls the drainage of water from the grow beds into the sump tank. Like the previous circuit, it utilizes an R22 relay to control the activity of components within the AC portion of the circuit. A solenoid valve rated at 120VAC will open in specified time intervals determined in LabVIEW. The relay is provided power by LabVIEW's analog output capabilities, effectively opening and closing the solenoid valve at predetermined time intervals. The drain circuit is shown in Figure 52 below. The 5VDC supply will be provided by LabVIEW for controllability.

Figure 52. Circuit Schematic of the Drain Circuit

The Duckweed loop and drain loop circuits will be designed the same; LabVIEW programming will be implemented with two relays, and their respectable solenoid value. The only difference between the circuits is that the Drain loop’s relay will be connected to 120 V AC whereas the Duckweed loop’s relay will be connected to 24 V AC. These solenoid value circuits are to be put into place in cause of a power outage; they will be used to prevent overflows within the aquaponics system.

Figure 53. Circuit Schematic of the Duckweed Circuit

The fourth circuit is the computer circuit. The computer is a Dell Optiplex 755 model using a ViewSonic touchscreen monitor. A DAQ card was installed into the computer to allow greater use of LabVIEW's capabilities. Attached to the computer tower are the Vernier SensorDAQ device and a CB-50 terminal block, both of which are used as analog outputs to relays. The SensorDAQ is used as the analog output for the emergency cutoff loop so that disturbances in LabVIEW will not cause the system to shut down. The drain control circuit and the duckweed circuit will be connected to the CB-50 board so that they can be controlled in LabVIEW. The refill circuit will be connected to the analog output on the CB-50.

The power consumption of the electrical subsystem was calculated using Kirchhoff’s Laws and Ohm’s Law. Counting the lighting system and the other circuits mentioned above, the system consumes 1.317kW of power. The major lossy components are the grow lights and water heaters, which together account for over half of the total electrical cost of operation. In order to achieve the correct intensity and spectrum of light, a large amount of power is required. Additionally, the water heaters are built for inefficiency, making their cost of operation substantial.

Sensors will be used to measure the PH, Nitrates, and Ammonia of the water parameters. These sensors will be connected to the SensorDAQ and the parameters will be measured using LabVIEW programming. This process will help to fully monitor and automate the system at all times. The sensors that will be used are Cole-Parmers ISE electrodes. These sensors are ideal for high-purity water, fish tanks, sea water, and waste water.

Electrical Interface

The electrical system for the design features both an automated emergency cutoff system and an electronic LabVIEW interface that processes real-time chemical data. LabVIEW continuously provides plots of data for various parameters while outputting the data to an Excel spreadsheet. Additionally, the program is written to display the data as seen on the monitor on a website that can be viewed from any computer with the proper LabVIEW Run-Time add-on. The LabVIEW interface will also allow users to modify the water flow through slight changes in code.

Details of Purchased Components

For fish tank components, a 125 gal. tank, a sump tank, pumps, fittings, fish, fish food, wood, and various minor components were purchased for a cost of $1310.12. Various PVC components, such as pipes, fittings, and other accessories cost $125.02. Items for building the growbeds and the seeds for growing crops were bought for $1096.10.

For electrical components, four R22 relays, four R70 relays, two nitrate sensors, one ammonia sensor, and a BNC connector were purchased, resulting in a total cost of $724. One of the nitrate sensors and the ammonia sensor were unsuitable for the tasks required for this system's operation and were therefore not used in the final system. The wire, electrical box, and two of the terminal blocks were donated by the Electrical Power Board, amounting to a savings of $530. One of the float switches and all of the solenoid valves were part of the previous system and were therefore of no cost toward this project. Therefore, a savings of $255 was generated from the previous group's expenditures. Another float switch, another terminal block, and a 5VDC power supply were supplied out-of-pocket, creating an additional savings of $50.

Description of Assembly

Working from left to right, the computer station and media bed are based on a table frame with the top removed. The base for the media bed and computer is bolted to the table frame and the media bed is fastened to the base. There is also a wood barrier between the computer and media bed to prevent any possible splashing from reach the computer. The media bed was constructed using plywood and fastened with screws. The liner was installed after the bed was built and is

fastened around the top edge of the box securing the overlapped material. The entire system is plumbed using PVC piping.

The raft system is housed on a heavy duty rack that is fastened to the wall. The beds are plastic bins that are filled with circulated water from the sump tanks that gravity feed down through the latter two beds below before returning to the sump tank. The rafts in these three beds are thick Styrofoam insulation with circular holes cut and fit with planter baskets. The lowest bed is used for growing duck weed and has a separate plumbing setup from the raft system mounted above.

The sump tank placed under the fish tank table is considered the central hub of the system. The sump tank houses the beginning and ends of the circulation cycles along with all applicable components like the pump, sand and swirl filters.

The fish tank contains the fish crop, agitator, plumbing to and from the sump tank, and a raft grow bed on the left side. The fish are fed via an automated feeder built using recycled components. The bulk food is stored in a 5-gallon container housed in a cabinet fastened to the wall. The food is transferred through piping to the auger that pushes the food out; the auger bit is rotated using a microwave turntable electric motor.

The electrical portion of the project is assembled using wiring, sensors, electronic solenoid valves, DAQ, junction box, and a computer. All the components are wired appropriately and are controlled by the computer through the use of LabVIEW.

Pictures of Final Design

Figure 54: Overall System Picture

Figure 54: Media Bed Picture

Figure 55: Raft Bed Picture

Figure 56: Raft Bed/ Duckweed Bed Picture

Detailed Cost Estimate

The previously estimated development cost was $3410.41 including operating costs. To date, the team has spent $3269. There are few things that still need to be purchased and added to the system. The development cost was estimated to be $3,310. The table below displays the itemized budget. Information is given concerning items that cost more than originally expected as well as items that cost less than originally expected.

The total cost of the electrical components of this aquaponics system is $1,304, although only $724 was spent due to donations. All relays for this system were manufactured by NTE Electronics and were purchased through Shields Electronics. The relays cost $23 for all eight units. The Vernier sensors were purchased from Vernier and cost $358. The second nitrate sensor and the BNC connector required to connect it to the SensorDAQ were purchased from Cole-Parmer at a cost of $332.72. The Electric Power Board donated approximately $530 to this project, and $50 were spent out-of-pocket due to immediate necessity.

Table 3. The itemized budget.

Purchased125 gal. Tank $ 636.00

Sump Tank $ 130.00Plant seeds/Plants $ 16.66

Nitrate Sensor $ 179.00Ammonia Sensor $ 179.00

Pumps $ 139.99Fittings $ 56.75

Rack $ 88.00Raft $ 35.48

Containers (main tank for water for grow beds) $ 60.00Table/wood $ 92.41

Andrew - Relays $ 9.94Andrew - Fish Tank Components $ 1.53Andrew - Fish Tank Components $ 1.53Andrew - Fish Tank Components $ 4.25Andrew - Fish Tank Components $ 38.76Andrew - Fish Tank Components $ 7.65

Anthony - Fittings and piping accessories $ 16.12Anthony - Fittings and piping accessories $ 7.28Anthony - Fittings and piping accessories $ 21.96Anthony - Fittings and piping accessories $ 22.91

Fish $ 75.00relay - andrew $ 5.68relay - andrew $ 17.04

lights $ 895.96More fish $ 132.50

Relays- andrew $ 13.84Nitrate Sensor- jackson $ 281.72

Electrode Amplifier- jackson $ 51.00Fish Food- dennis $ 50.50

Total $ 3268.46

Conclusions and Recommendations

In closing, the aquaponics system in the EMCS fluids lab was designed and constructed to produce both plant and fish crops. The system is fully automated and is capable of self-sustenance for up to a month. Therefore, the goal for care-free aquaponics was achieved. Though there are a few items that could not be completed due to time constraints, such as the implementation of automated refills of the white drum, the framework for these items have been installed.

The aquaponics system is operational; using a nitrogen cycle, the system provides a stable growth of plants and nutrients. The system incorporates two styles of vegeatation beds, one media-based bed and four raft-based beds. Electrical circuitry was implemented to allow for full automation and emergency control mechanisms. A LabVIEW interface provides real-time water parameter data collection and control over the drain solenoid valve.

The aquaponics system was a successful project with a physical product to be displayed for the coming years.

The following tasks can be recommended for the future:

With more budgeting, incorporate more sensors such as ammonia and EC meter to automate the system even farther.

NFT system, which is another method commonly seen in aquaponics. It incorporates a biological filter in order to allow the bacteria to develop for nitrification.

Figure out how to eradicate bugs. Determine a better way to evacuate solids. Complete solenoid circuits that could not be completed due to time and faulty equipment. Determine a better way to clean the corners of the tank. Changing the wooden box for the media bed to a plastic box. Find a way to automate pollination of plants in indoor aquaponics.

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<http://andrewstaroscik.com/views/2012/09/aquaculture-feed-conversion-ratio-and-related-metrics/>.

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Appendix

Figure 58. Power consumption and cost calculations

Figure 59. Equivalent length calculations for system fittings (by loop)

Figure 60. System pressure losses (by loop)

Table 5: Overall Budget

BudgetSensors: System:Nitrate $ 179.00 Pumps $ 65.00Ammonia $ 179.00 Tubing $ 50.00EC Meter $ 25.00 Piping $ 50.00Extra Sensor(s) $ 179.00 Fittings $ 100.00PH & Temperature Sensors $ - Swirl filtration $ 75.00DAQ $ - Sand filtration $ 75.00HUB $ 100.00 R/O system $ -

Table $ 92.41Fish:Fish $ 265.00 Grow Beds:Fish Feed $ 220.00 Plant seeds $ 60.00Automated feeder $ 80.00 Rack $ 88.00

Containers $ 60.00Tank: RAFT $ 30.00125 gal tank $ 636.00 Cups $ 50.00Sump tank 110 gal $ 140.00 Grow lights $ 390.00Fish tank light $ 200.00 Extra Grow Light $ -

Solenoid valves $ 22.00Total Purchasing Cost: $ 3,410.41

Table 6. Remaining Budget

Remaining BudgetSensors: System:Nitrate $ - Pumps $ -Ammonia $ - Tubing $ -EC Meter $ 2.00 Piping $ -Extra Sensor(s) $ 179.00 Fittings $ -PH & Temperature Sensors $ - Swirl filtration $ 75.00DAQ $ - Sand filtration $ 75.00HUB $ 100.00 R/O system $ -

Table $ -Fish:Fish $ 57.50 Grow Beds:Fish Feed $ 220.00 Plant seeds $ 55.00Automated feeder $ 80.00 Rack $ -

Containers $ (3.00)Tank: RAFT $ (7.00)125 gal tank $ - Cups $ (6.00)Sump tank 110 gal $ - Grow lights $ (505.96)Fish tank light $ 200.00 Extra Grow Light $ -

Solenoid valves $ 17.00Total Purchasing Cost: $ 539.01

Andrew J. Boring

1216 Cumberland Rd.

Chattanooga, TN, 37419

pwm361@mocs.utc.edu

Education

Graduated from Silverdale Baptist Academy with a 4.0 GPA. Presently enrolled as a junior in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Work History

Electric Power Board

Summer 2012- Summer Intern

Worked in the Workflow Management Group, inspected, documented, and logged fiber

locations and issues in database. Responsible for reporting issues relating to the fiber optic

network in the OLT cabinets.

Summer 2013- Summer Intern

Worked in the Workflow Management Group, inspected, documented and logged fiber

locations and issues in database. Responsible for reporting issues relating to the fiber optic

network in the OLT cabinets. Performed street and private light audits for billing accuracy.

Summer 2014- Summer Intern

Worked in the Workflow Management Group, inspected, documented and logged fiber

locations and issues in database. Responsible for reporting issues relating to the fiber optic

network in the OLT cabinets. Performed street and private light audits for billing accuracy.

Other / Volunteer Work

Other work history is very limited due to involvement in school activities, community service and church

activities. Most extracurricular activity includes volunteer services (Blood Assurance, Chattanooga Food

Bank, Community Kitchen, Bread of Life Ministry to the Homeless, etc.).

Noteworthy Accomplishments

ENGR 1011- Designed various devices containing wiring and tubing in SolidWorks. Such devices

were designed for electrical panels, fluid flow simulations and bridge stress simulations.

ENGR 1850- Designed a High Density Polyethylene tray for a boy with Cerebral Palsy used to

augment hand-eye coordination exercises on a developmental computer program. Project

augmented ability to communicate with suppliers and manufacturers.

ENGR 1850- Designed a loft bed in a theoretical situation to replace present sleeping conditions

for UTC students.

ENEE 3720- Designed an AC-DC converter that forced the 120V AC power from a wall outlet to

become 10V DC power at the output.

Designed wiring for cabinetry lighting in family kitchen.

Skills

Knowledgeable of the generation of engineering paperwork

Adept in working with shop personnel

Capable of high productivity in fast-paced work environments

Experienced with handling multiple projects simultaneously

Conversant in the usage of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access

Knowledgeable in engineering analytical techniques

Skillful in SolidWorks 3-D design software

Mitchell Jambon

1554 Chatata Valley Rd.Cleveland, TN 37323

(850) 380-5993kvw664@mocs.utc.edu

OBJECTIVETo obtain a position in the field of Industrial Engineering

EDUCATIONUniversity of Tennessee at ChattanoogaBachelor of Science: Industrial EngineeringMinor: Business AdministrationAnticipated Graduation: May 2015Current GPA: 2.9

Universal Technical InstituteAssociates Degree: Automotive TechnologyGraduation: November 2006GPA: 3.7

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCEIndustrial Engineering Intern, Miller Industries, Ooltewah, TN May - Aug 2013Responsibilities: Performed analysis to improve process flow Lead time studies and routing times project Updated and developed various checklists and

process sheets Oversaw installation and testing, as well as

participated in the inspection of military units

Performed bill of materials reviews and corrections

Performed engineering change requests, non-conformance reports, safety inspection reports

Interpreted design drawings Performed root cause analysis for defective parts

including the use of a Faro ArmPROFESSIONAL SKILLS Engineering, Drafting & Design Mathematical & Statistical Calculations Computer Modeling & Analysis using

SolidWorks Operations Research Project Planning & Management Group Presentations & Public Speaking Specifications, Reporting & Documentation Linear Programming using excel Microsoft (Work, Excel, Minitab, Project, Visio,

Access, etc.)

CLASS PROJECTSAiden’s Walker: A walker for a child with Cerebral Palsy Class: Introduction to Engineering Design Aug - Dec 2012 Served as the Project Manager Aided in the design and build of the walker prototype and final product Put together a build book for potential recreationAquaponics Project: Build a sustainable and automated Aquaponics SystemClass: Interdisciplinary Design 1 & 2 Jan - Dec 2014 Served as Project Planner Aided in the design and build of the aquaponic system Diagramed individual water flow systems along with the system as a whole Make and update the schedule and budget

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Server, Applebee’s, Pensacola, FL May 2010 - June 2011 Automotive Technician, Bob Cole’s Imports, Pensacola, FL Jan - June 2009;

Aug 2007 - June 2008 Automotive Technician, Pete Moore Volkswagen, Pensacola, FL Aug - Dec 2008

Jan - Aug 2007LinkedIn Page: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mitchell-jambon/80/125/b62/

Christy RigsbyEducation 2010 – Present University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN

Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering GPA: 3.2 (Exp. May 2015)

Software SkillsEngineering and manufacturing applications:

SolidWorks 2013 – 1 year experience. ProE – 2 year experience. Draft Sight – 2 year experience. LoggerPro V6 – 1 year experience. Macola Progression – 2 years experience.

Computer languages:

VBA – 1 year experience.

Work ExperienceFeb. 2013 – Present Tuftco Corporation Chattanooga, TN

Mechanical Engineering Intern.

Responsible for manufacturing facility layout utilizing DraftSight, development of fire and tornado evacuation plans, optimization of inventory storage to facilitate changing needs of the production environment, work-space redesign to facilitate efficient tasking of personnel including large scale equipment relocation, as well as infrastructure logistics and procurement pertaining to materials storage, staging, and deployment. Primary assistant in charge of part file updating using ProE. Facility layout changes were staged to not interrupt production and final layout was also designed to be more welcoming for customer tours. Various projects were completed to aid more efficient process flow, such as but not limited to, tool cart design, storage racking design, and inventory layout and management system. Also developed an assembly for sales demonstrations that allows multiple carpet vantage points.

Oct. 2012-Jan. 2013 American Eagle Outfitters Chattanooga, TNSales Associate

Responsibilities included creating a welcoming environment for customers, providing sales information, provide customer support as needed, restocking as needed, operate cash register, keep balanced register, and provide assistance to other associates as needed.

Awards & HonorsSociety of Women Engineers, Chattanooga Chapter, President, 2013 – 2014Society of Women Engineers, Chattanooga Chapter, Treasurer, 2011 – 2013American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Chattanooga Chapter, 2013 – PresentCollege of Engineering and Computer Science Leadership Council, UTC, 2013– 2014Dean's List, Spring 2014

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Anthony Ryan Escandon 423-883-5112 4404 Wesleyan Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 anthonyescandon@hotmail.com

EDUCATIONB.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Expected graduation date: 12/2014Chattanooga State Community College, A.A.S., Engineering (Mechanical), 05/2013

GPA: 3.597/4.0 (overall); 3.844/4.0 (major) Buick Scholarship recipient Dean’s List Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society American Society of Mechanical Engineers member

SKILLS

Class A operator of heavy machinery Four years of field management experience in civil construction Ability to read civil construction/design blueprints Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, LabVIEW, and Solidworks Experienced abroad/ fluent in Spanish

EXPERIENCEUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga 06/2014-currentChemical Processes Laboratory Internship

Design control systems using LabVIEW software Design a P,PI, PID controller state machine virtual interface using LabVIEW Build and troubleshoot hardware/software interfaces Repair system valves, wiring, and various hardware components Establish steady-state operating curves and system responses for laboratory systems

Woodbridge Plastics 06/2013-09/2013Mechanical Engineering Summer Internship

Preform risk assessments of plant facilities Manage the Internal Tracking System Organize the orderly reception and purchasing of equipment parts Write Lockout-Tagout procedures for plant equipment.

Allied Civil Contractors 06/2006- 08/2012Site Foreman/Operator

Execute and manage site operations

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Ensure proper completion of: utility and sewer installation, grading and excavation, building pads and footers, building parking lots, and concrete work

Research and design of field equipment Projects range $300K - $10M

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Dennis P. Doyle9743 Shadow Valley CircleChattanooga, TN 37421

Phone: 423-486-3342 Dpdoyle73@gmail.com

Career Objective My goal is to secure a challenging position in Mechanical Engineering field in which I can apply the knowledge I have acquired through my education and experience and to continue to expand my understanding of my field for my own personal benefit and for that of my company.

Education University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TNChattanooga State Technical School, Chattanooga, TN - Associates of Applied Science with a concentration in Engineering; - Completion at University of Tennessee Chattanooga with a Degree in Mechanical

Engineering - Expected Graduation from UTC: Fall 2014 Work Experience Industrial Systems Group, Inc. PLC Technician / Automation Specialist

Chattanooga, TN Documentation SpecialistAutomation Specialist

November 2009- PresentAssisted on Projects for Following Companies:- Volkswagen Group of America- Chattem, Inc.- Deutsch Industrial Products- Shaw Industries- McKays Used Books- University of Tennessee Chattanooga- McKee Bakery- Bridgestone

Platform Experience:

- HMI Screens : - Siemens Pro Tool,- Siemens Win CC Flexible Micro- Siemens Win CC Flexible- RS View /Panel view

Industry Experience: - Packaging (Filling and Cartoning)- Material Handling (Conveyor/Elevator)- Automated Equipment (Car Wash)- Carpet Cut to Length /Roll-up- Robotic Wiring and check out- Automated Tire Assembly

- PLC: - WAGO & Siemens: S7-200- Step 7 / 300 (limited)- Control Logix

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- RSLogix 5000

- Drives:- Siemens Micromaster- Allen Bradley

- CAD: - Turbo CAD, Auto-Cad, Auto-Cad Electrical, E-Plan, Solid Works

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Jackson Mckissick11906 Stable View Drive

Eads, TN 38028(901) 605-3778

Jacksonmckissick@gmail.com

Objective: To obtain an internship position in an effort to gain work experience in electrical engineering field using my technical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Education The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Major: Electrical EngineeringExpected Graduation Date: May 2015

Courses Circuits I/II, 3D-Modeling, Intro to Engineering Design, Analog/Digital Electronics

Design Designed a computer table and arm for a handicapped elementary agedProject students.

Experience: Basketball Official, TSSAA October 2011- PresentChattanooga, TN

Referee Middle/High School Basketball Games

Customer Service Volunteer, Salvation Army Thrift Store Helped collect and sort donated items Greeted Customers

Activities UTC Chapter of IEEE, Member& Honors: UTC Chapter of National Society of Black Engineers, Senator (2010-Present)

St. Jude Children’s Hospital VolunteerTennessee HOPE Scholarship recipient

Computer Proficient with Maple, SolidWorks, Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPointExperience Experience in PSpice

Personal Avionics Systems, Aerospace, and future technology Interest

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