Construct the Biofilter:
Biofiltration is the conversion of ammonia and
nitrite into nitrate by living bacteria. Most fish
waste is not filterable using a mechanical filter
because the waste is dissolved directly in the
water, and the size of these particles is too
small to be mechanically removed. Therefore,
to process this microscopic waste an
aquaponics system uses microscopic bacteria.
Biofiltration is essential in aquaponics because
ammonia and nitrite are toxic even at low
concentrations, while plants need the nitrates
to grow. In an aquaponics unit, the biofilter is
a deliberately installed component to house
most of the living bacteria. Furthermore, the
dynamic movement of water within a biofilter
will break down very fine solids not captured
by the clarifier, which further prevents waste
build up on plant roots in NFT and DWC.
Construct the DWC Canals:
Components Required:
To prepare the outlet of the DWC canals,
the following list of components would be
required:
Water Outlet
32mm x 1” Adapter Socket (Female Thread)
50mm x 25mm Reducing T-Junction Solvent Socket
50mm 90° Elbow Solvent Socket
50mm T-Junction Solvent Socket
50 x 1½” Adapter Socket (Female Thread)
1.5” Running Nipple
40mm PVC Lock Nuts
40mm Rubber Gasket
1” (25mm) Running Nipple
25mm Rubber Gasket
25mm PVC Lock Nuts 6
3
5
1
1
0 .5
2
2
1.5
6
6 each
each
each
each
each
each
each
each
each
each
each
Water Inlet
25mm Ball Valve Single Union Solvent Socket
25mm T-Junction Solvent Socket
25mm 90° Elbow Solvent Socket 3
3
12 Each
each
each
Cutting the IBC Tanks:
•
Remove the two horizontal steel lengths
attached to the top surface of the IBC tank
holding the inner plastic container in place.
• The steel lengths are fixed with 4 star
headed screws. Remove these four screws
using a star headed screwdriver. Once
the steel lengths are removed, pull out the
inner plastic tank.
• After pulling out the tank, it is
recommended to paint the outer surface
of the IBC liner black to prevent algae from
forming.
• Remove also the metal base by removing
the screws. If there is no star key, cut the
screws with an angle grinder.
• Cut the vertical metal bars above the 2 nd
horizontal framing with a grinder (see
picture). The beds won’t be exactly
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
even, one side will be slightly higher than
the other side, but it makes very little
difference in the actual system.
•
Once you have all the bars cut, you’ll have
to cut the plastic. Use the frame as your
guide and draw with a permanent marker
around the IBC. Then, using the angle
grinder, cut along the line and remove the
cut piece from the top.
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