Tabletop Aquaponics

The purpose for designing this system was to create an opportunity for
practical and realistic implementation of aquaponics into any classroom. Simplicity,
affordability, portability, elegance, and flexibility are qualities these systems
possess. All that is needed to operate a tabletop system is a little more than a square
foot of space, sunlight or florescent light, and a single electrical outlet. These
systems provide hands on learning opportunities for students and can be used in
NGSS curriculum in simple, practical ways.
2013 Tyler Watts

Tabletop Aquaponics System Parts List

Materials:
(2) Rubbermaid 3 gallon totes
(1) 8 section of 3/4 PVC pipe
(1) 3/4 set of male and female PVC adapters
(2) #15 or #215 rubber O-rings
(1) Small pond pump (120V)
(1) 3 tubing 3/8 diameter (food grade)
(2) 8 cable ties
(1) 2x2x8ft for stand
3 gallons of pea gravel

Where to find materials

All materials can be purchased at a general hardware and garden store such as
Home Depot

2013 Tyler Watts

System Assembly:
Step 1: Drill the hole (pre-done
in kit)

Step 2: Create the drain

(Use a 1 drill bit to make a hole in the center of

one of the 12qt tubs. Make sure that the hole is
drilled cleanly. A 1 hole saw works best, but a 1
spader will also do the trick)

( Place a rubber O ring on the male PVC connector

and thread it through the 1 hole coming out the
bottom of the tub. Place a second O ring on the
male connector protruding from the bottom. Thread
the female connection on the male connection
completing the drain.)

Step 3: Attach the standpipe

Step 4: Position and fill the

System

(Insert the 4 section of 3/4 PVC into the adapter

inside the tub with the holes closer to the top of the
tub. Use the diameter tubing to connect the
pump to the top tub. Secure the tubing to the top tub
by poking two small holes about 1/4 from the top
of the tub and 1 apart from eachother. Insert a ziptie and secure the tubing)

(Place the tub with the drain pipe on top of the

stand. Slide the second tub under the stand. Use the
diameter tubing to connect the pump to the top
tub. Secure the tubing to the top tub by poking two
small holes about 1/4 from the top of the tub and
1 apart from each other. Insert a zip-tie and secure
the tubing. Fill the top tub with pea gravel.)

2013 Tyler Watts

System Start-up
Now that your system is assembled and filled with the gravel, you are ready to start up
your system. There are three ways to culture the bacteria needed to make these systems work.
All three methods will be explained along with a method that will be suggested as the ideal way
to start this system.
Step 1: Fill the system with about 4-5 gallons of decloronated water (tap water that is treated for
chlorine or left in an open bucket for 48hrs). Test the water using a water quality test strip
before using the water to fill your system.
Step 2: Pour 10ml of nitrifying bacteria into the bottom tub of your system. Fresh water
nitrifying bacteria can be purchased at most pet stores. Start-up bacteria by API is the one we
use.
Step 3: Add in 3 goldfish or minnows into the bottom tote.
Step 4: turn on the water and air pump. Make sure that the water is draining down for the down
spout and not overflowing. Also check to make sure air is coming out of the air stone.
Congratulations! You have started your bucket tub system!

Maintenance
Water quality (starting your nitrogen cycle)
After your system has been running for 3 to 7 days you will most likely begin to see an increase
in the nitrites on your test strips and slightly higher levels of ammonia. When you see nitrites
reach the 5ppm, change out about 25% of your water (half of your fish tank). Add half of a
bucket of dechloronated water (2.5 gallons) and 10ml of bacterial supplement to the system.
Keep testing daily and maintaining a nitrite level of 3-5ppm or less by continuing water changes
(adding the bacteria supplement can be done every other water change to help establish your
nitrifying bacterial colony). Within two weeks, you should see the nitrites drop into the 1-3ppm
range and ammonia drop to 0-1 which are normal levels for operation.
pH tends to be high in southern ca. Fish tend to like more basic conditions and plants generally
acidic. Basil and lettuce tend to grow fine in our system with no adjustments to the pH of the
water. Crushed coral can be added if the water is too acidic (6 range).

Plants
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Once nitrates show up on the test strip you can add plants to the system. There is a wealth of
resources online that explain how to germinate your plants. Find the information for the
particular plants you want to grow and learn to keep them happy. A common deficiency is in
iron (leaves appear yellowwhile veins are green). Iron Chelate can be added to the water in the
ratio of 0.06g/gallon.

Fish
Make your best effort to not place added stress on your fish. Moving the bucket around, adding
water straight into the bucket, or placing/moving things around in the bucket can cause undue
stress to the fish. The first few weeks can be the most stressful on the fish before the system
obtains normal consistent levels of nitrite/nitrate and ammonia. You may have a few goldfish
die during this time. Monitoring water quality and limiting other stressful factors will help
reduce the risk of fish deaths. Fish will also not feed as much for the first few days when
adjusting to a new environment. We recommend feeding the fish starting on the third day in the
system. Feed the fish two small pinches of goldfish granules (featured in supplements photo). If
there are granules left over after one minute you are over feeding and should reduce the amount
given until all is eaten within one minute.

Maintenance Breakdown
Daily:
Feed fish, Check pump (if water pump fails, fish will run out of oxygen!!!), inspect plants for
overall health (green and healthy looking leaves, not droopy, etc).

Weekly:
Check water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate). Most test kits will show what levels are
healthy and safe for fish. The level of nitrate that we want in the system is about 20-40ppm.
Look for excessive solids (excessive solids are most likely from overfeeding). If solid waste
becomes a big issue, empty fish tub and rinse gravel. Then, replace water in the tub with clean,
dechloronated water and bacteria.
2013 Tyler Watts

Lighting
The system should

2013 Tyler Watts

Supplemental Photo section

PVC Standpipe
4 or
9

2
Below
top of
gravel

Drill holes with drill bit

Stand Parts List (pictured

in Step 4)
(1) 7 length of 2x2

Cuts
(2) 19 lengths
(4) 9 lengths
(2) 5 lengths
5

5
19

2013 Tyler Watts