1. Aquaponics Proposal Group Members:
Killian Llewellyn – System Support Research
Lisa Reisenauer – Water Quality Testing Research
Nial Tilson – Container Research and Design
Tom Zajdel – Electrical Component Design

2. Tank Enlargement

3. The Problem…

4. Tank Enlargement Shooting for 200-500 gallons (estimate)
Wood frame (~$100), rubber liner (~$ )
Need ample wood
Rubber liner kit/system
Cement Pool (~$1000?, no firm estimates)
Need framing materials, concrete
Drain at the bottom
Strong base for pool to rest

5. Tank Enlargement (cont.)
Pre-made Container
gallon container
Need to explore options for such solution in Honduras (availability)
Build from Steel (welded supports/plates)
Need ample scrap metal
Require assistance from students/people at school

6. Pre-Trip Decision Conflict
New information about system component ratios limits tank size
More plants would be needed to expand the tank
A larger pump would be needed to achieve healthy circulation
A larger tank may not be needed to support the system

7. Solar Panel Installation

8. The Objective Equip the Overholts’ aquaponics system with solar panels
Two 80W pumps run continuously
We have 17 50W solar panels to install/use

9. Proposed System

10. System Components/Cost
Item
Cost
Solar Panels $0
Sunforce Q-Controller - 12V, 450 W
$64.10
Batteries - 12V, 105Ah (X2)
$160.00
Cobra Inverter - 200W
$29.72
Timers (X2)
$20.00
Mounting Parts (estimated)
$30.00
TOTAL
$303.82
Energy Transfer/Components
Sun
Solar Panel
Charge Controller
Battery System
Inverter
Timer
Pump

11. Daytime Power Powering 2 X 80W pumps 200 W inverter required
Aeration pump
Circulation pump
200 W inverter required
Each panel delivers 50W maximum
Pick 5 panels for safety!
We have more if we need it….

12. Battery Sizing Pick duty cycle, then size battery bank!
At night, we must run from battery power
Assume we will run 18 hours without sunlight…
160 W load when the pumps are on
Charge must stay above 20%
Pick duty cycle, then size battery bank!
𝐶𝑝𝑐𝑡𝑦 [𝐴ℎ] = 160 𝑊 10 𝑊 𝐴 ×18ℎ× ×𝐷𝑢𝑡𝑦 %

13. Battery Charging
Battery bank charges fully during 10 hours of sunlight
Charges when pumps are off (off cycle)
Charges when panels exceed 160W (on cycle)
Panels deliver 3.27A max

14. Battery Charging

15. Challenges Batteries are very expensive Must finalize scope of project
Power only one pump with solar? Solves the duty cycle issue (keep it at 100%)
Lower duty cycle?
New information suggests that lowering the duty cycle may disturb the system
Where do we install the solar panels?
We can install more, but is there room?

16. Water Testing

17. Nitrogen Cycle Ammonia & Nitrite Nitrate pH Dissolved Oxygen
Toxic for fish
Nitrate
Plant food pH
7-7.5
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature dependant
higher temp. lower O2 content
Optimum ~6-7 mg/L
3 mg/L minimum
Temperature
Plants optimum ~73°F
Tilapia ~ 70-85°F
Tanks stabilize in days
nitrobacter
nitrosomonas
10-30kg fish / 1000L water
6-7 mg/L (80% saturation)
References:

18. Water Testing Kits Nitrite & Nitrate Ammonia & pH Dissolved Oxygen
25 test strips
$11
Master Test Monitor ($11)
Also measures Temp
Refills ($14 /2month supply)
60 tests worth
$11

19. Tasks will be shared by all group members.
Sustainability
Provides food upon growth of fish and plants
Only requires regular input of fish food
Daily water testing recommended for system health with a guide for use
Reliability
Will produce fish and plants if kept healthy
Self sustaining power system
Safety Risks
Sick fish and plants could cause human illness
Electrical equipment could be dangerous if exposed (will be contained)
Development Schedule
Tasks will be shared by all group members.

20. Implementation

21. Tank Enlargement
Could not expand the overall system size due to energy and pump restraint
Expanded the plant grow beds
Achieved proper ratio of grow bed to water

22. Tank Enlargement Future Recommendations:
Find more durable materials for plant bed
Increase the power output from the solar panels to move more water in an expanded fish tank
Further explore water cycling demands

23. Solar Panel Installation
9 Panels were installed
Pump duty cycle was reduced to 50%
Actual energy usage by the pumps were found to be much less than expected

24. Solar Panel Installation
Future Recommendations
Use more solar panels to charge battery on a more efficient time scale
Research better duty cycle

25. Water Testing Testing was performed on all tanks
Before and after testing was performed when changes were made
No noticeable affect from changing duty cycle
Pond
Date & Time
Nitrate (ppm)
Nitrite (ppm)
Ammonia (ppm) pH
Oxygen (ppm) B
Sunday 9:10 AM - 5
Sunday 7:30 PM
7.4 A
Sunday 7:40 PM
0-5 7 C
Sunday 7:45 PM
Monday 7:20 AM
Monday 7:30 AM 4
School
Wednesday 8:45 AM
6.6 9
Wednesday 4:45 PM 10
Wednesday 5:00 PM 8
Wednesday 5:15 PM

26. Water Testing Future Recommendations Continue with water testing
Keep records of water status
Increase testing near significant changes such as adding new fish or harvesting plants

27. Costs
The total cost of materials that were acquired before the trip was $ after shipping and taxes.
While in Choluteca, $ was spent on batteries, wire, and transfer switches
The net cost of the entire project totaled to $512.14

28. Questions?