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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4 - 6
What It Is & How It Works
Nitrogen Cycle
IBC Tote
Grow Media
Location

BUILD YOUR OWN 7

What You’ll Need

STEP BY STEP 8 - 18
29 Steps From Beginning to End
On How To Build Your Own Aquaponics System

ADDING YOUR FISH & PLANTS 19 - 21

Cycling Your System
Cycling With Fish
Cycling Without Fish
Fish Options
Fish Food
Growing Plants

MAINTENANCE 22

CONCLUSION 23

TROUBLE SHOOTING 24

Aquaponics Page 3
 INTRODUCTION
What is Aquaponics? that works with nature. Growing natural
vine-ripened vegetables, while raising
clean healthy fish to eat. All without
Aquaponics is an incredible system
any need for excessive pesticides and
for growing food by combining
chemicals.
Hydroponics (growing plants in
water without soil) and Aquaculture
(farming aquatic organisms such as Aquaponics systems are very
fish, crustaceans, etc. in water tanks). customizable with most of the work
Both Hydroponics and Aquaculture being done at setup, and the rest being
come with their own advantages nearly automated! The popularity of
and disadvantages; however, your Aquaponics is growing worldwide as
Aquaponics system still has the same the simple design is a great long term
advantages while avoiding most of the food source that uses less than 90% of
disadvantages. water that a conventional garden would.
The system can easily be expanded to
grow more vegetables and fish at any
This is all possible as Aquaponics lets
time with minimal cost.
you create your own mini-ecosystem

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The fish in the fish tank produce ammonia,
algae and other waste. This becomes
harmful for the fish, and if it is not cleaned
or replaced, the fish will die. This water
gets pumped into the grow bed (or
grow media). In the grow bed, there is a
natural bacteria which converts this fish
waste such as ammonia into nitrates for
consumption by plants. The clean water
from the grow bed now returns to the fish
tank and the cycle repeats itself. How
amazing is that?

Aquaponics Page 4
 THE NITROGEN CYCLE

One of the wonderful things of an Aquaponics system is that it restores that classic
natural balance, allowing your fish and plants to work together. One of the most
misunderstood and overlooked aspects of an Aquaponics system is the importance
of good bacteria. The bacteria that grows in your food bed converts ammonia from
the fish waste into nitrite. Another similar bacteria converts the nitrite to nitrate - one
of the key minerals for plants. The health of your bacteria plays a significant role in
the overall health of your Aquaponics system.

IBC TOTE

A great and effective way to house your

Aquaponics system is to use an IBC Tote
(Intermediate Bulk Container). These
large industrial containers are used
in a wide variety of ways to store and
transport liquid products in a large range
of sizes. These totes are made from
plastic and are caged with a galvanized
steel pallet to help support the weight
of the container when full while also
making it easy to transport.

The tank’s dimensions are 48”L x 40”W x

48”H and weigh roughly 90-100 pounds
when empty.

These totes can be purchased new or used. The cost of purchasing a new tote
is around $150 or can often be found used for around $50 if you check your local
classifieds. If previously used, ensure that the container is rinsed properly as some
containers are used to store detergents or light chemicals.

Aquaponics Page 5
 GROW MEDIA

The plants you are planning to grow by using your Aquaponics system are planted in
a soil-less growing medium. There are different types of media that allow the plants’
roots to access oxygen and nutrient-rich water. Some media have advantages and
should be considered over others.

Crushed stone or pea gravel for example can be used but often contains high pH
minerals which cause your Aquaponics system to be a little unbalanced.

We recommend using clay pellets (expanded clay grow rocks) The clay is very
lightweight and easy to plant with, while also being pH neutral. The downside of
using clay pellets is that they’re slightly more expensive than other media.

LOCATION

When locating your Aquaponics system there are a few things you want to think
about. Once you add water to hold your fish, the system will be quite heavy, making
location critical. Ensure that your system has access to good amounts of sunlight.
The more sunlight your plants have, the better they will grow and survive. Keep in
mind that your fish do not need sunlight as much.

In some cases, excess sunlight can cause algae build up around the inside of the
fish tank.

Another thing to consider when deciding on your system’s location is access to a

power source. You will need power to run the water pump that cycles the water from
your fish tank through your grow bed.

Typically, you’ll want your Aquaponics system outside to harvest the sun’s light and
heat. If you’re in a climate where temperatures often drop near to freezing, you’ll
likely want to erect a greenhouse to run your system year-round (and protect your
system from pests and bugs).

In this book, we’ll show you how to build your own Aquaponics system for your
backyard. Let’s get started.

Aquaponics Page 6
 What You’ll Need To Build Your
HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
Before starting this project it is important
to read each step thoroughly and follow all
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: safety warnings listed in this book and any
included manuals.

Make sure you have prepared your site prior

to starting this project. You will need a firm
flat base for your Aquaponics IBC Tote. Once
your system is loaded with media and filled
with water, it may weigh several thousand
pounds. Be sure to locate your system on a
surface that can handle the load.

Before the final setup and testing of the

PARTS system, it is recommended that you wash
☐ (1 QTY) IBC TOTE – 275 Gallon your media and tank thoroughly, to guarantee
☐ (2 QTY) 3/4” Barbed Tee connector PVC a clean environment for your grow bed and
☐ (2 QTY) 3/4” Ball Valves PVC
fish tank. You can find instructions on how
☐ (3 QTY) 3/4”, 90 degree Barbed Elbows PVC
☐ (1 QTY) Auto Bell Siphon Kit to do this later in the book.
☐ (1 QTY) Piece of wood – 2x6x10 ft
☐ (1 QTY) 6 FT Long Black Vinyl tubing
If you are planning on placing your
☐ (8 QTY) Zip Ties
☐ Clay pellets (enough to fill the grow bed) Aquaponics system outdoors, please note
☐ (1 QTY) Submersible water pump– 500GPH that the plastic used in IBC Totes and PVC
Pipes may break down with prolonged
TOOLS exposure to the sun. We recommend you
☐ Reciprocating saw place your system in the shade or paint your
☐ Sharp knife or razor blade IBC Tote, PVC pipes and fittings with an
☐ Tape measure
☐ 1 3⁄4” hole saw
environment safe, light blocker paint.
☐ Sandpaper
☐ Wire Cutters If you do decide to paint your IBC Tote,
☐ Power Drill with drill bit variety
☐ Pencil
make sure to paint the outside of the Tote,
☐ Safety Glasses not the inside. If you’re painting the plastic
☐ Work Gloves tank, you’ll need to prime the tank first.

ACCESSORIES
☐ Freshwater Master Aquarium Test Kit
☐ Digital Thermometer
☐ Water
☐ Fish
☐ Plants

Aquaponics Page 7
 How To Build Your Own
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
STEP 1: REMOVE METAL SLATS

01 Using a screwdriver or electric drill,

remove the metal slats at the top
of the IBC metal tote frame. Once
removed, place aside as we will
need to re-install the slats later.

STEP 2: MARK CUT LINE

02 Using a marker, mark the cut line on

the IBC Tote. Start by marking just
above the first rail on the IBC metal
tote frame.

A: Pull Bin Out

Once you have marked your cut line,
flip the IBC unit on its side and slide
out the IBC tote.

B: Use Straight Edge to

Mark Cut Line
Using a straight edge, finish marking
the cut line on the IBC tote.

WARNING

Wear appropriate safety attire when cutting metal. Leather work

gloves and safety glasses are a must.

Aquaponics Page 8
 STEP 3: CUT IBC TOTE

03 Using an angle grinder with a 1/8”

blade, cut the IBC tote on the cut lines
you made in the previous steps.

STEP 4: SAND EDGES OF IBC TOTE

04 Using sandpaper (or electric sander)

sand the cut edges of both the grow
bed and the fish tank.

STEP 5: CUT METAL FRAME

05 Using an angle grinder or

reciprocating saw, cut the IBC metal
tote frame right above the first rail,
where you marked/ cut the tote itself.
It’s important to wear leather gloves
for this step, as the metal can get quite
hot.
STEP 6: CREATING THE FISH TANK

06 Sit the IBC metal tote frame back up,

and place the fish tank tote section
inside the metal frame.

Aquaponics Page 9
 STEP 7: ATTACH SUPPORTS FOR

07 UPPER GROW BED

A: Add Support Boards for Grow

Bed
Take your 2x6x10’ piece of wood and
cut it in half, making two 5’ planks of
wood. You can trim down the edges
later for a more aesthetic look.

Position the two planks of wood on

top of the fish tank. Place one plank
of wood 4” from the back of the tank.
Mark 12” from the plank of wood at
the back, and place the other plank of
wood at this location.
Next, place your grow bed on top of
the two pieces of wood. You may need
to adjust the wood to better support
the grow bed. Leave approximately
a foot between the front of the fish
tank and the grow bed. You will need
this space later down the road for
cleaning out the fish tank, and fixing
any plumbing if needed.

B: Zip-tie in Place
After making final adjustments,
including trimming the edges of the
boards if needed, drill a hole in both
ends of the two boards. Next, place
your grow bed metal frame on top of
the support boards. Using zip-ties,
secure the grow bed frame to the two
support boards.

Aquaponics Page 10
 STEP 8: CREATING THE UPPER

08 GROW BED
After you have made any final
adjustments, place the grow bed IBC
tote inside the metal frame. Make sure
the drain in the bottom of the IBC tote
is securely tightened.

STEP 9: RE-INSTALL METAL SLATS

09 Next using an electric drill or

screwdriver, re-install the metal slats
onto the metal frame under the grow
bed.

STEP 10: ATTACH VINYL TUBING TO

10 FITTING ON PUMP
Take your submersible pump and
attach vinyl tubing to the pump’s
fitting. Once done, place the pump on
a level position at the bottom of the
fish tank.

STEP 11: CUT VINYL TUBING AT

11 TOP OF GROW BED

Extend vinyl tubing up and past the
grow bed. Using wire cutters, cut
the vinyl tubing at the top of the
grow bed. Make sure to keep the
excess piece of vinyl tubing, we will
need this later.

Aquaponics Page 11
 STEP 12: ATTACH ELBOW TO END

12 OF VINYL TUBING
Next attach one of the 90 degree
elbows to the end of the vinyl tubing.

STEP 13: SECURE TUBING TO

13 GROW BED
Extend the elbow joint over the edge
of the grow bed. Secure the vinyl
tubing to the metal frame of the grow
bed with a zip-tie.

STEP 14: CUT REMAINING TUBING

14 INTO 4 EQUAL PIECES

Take the remaining piece of vinyl
tubing that you created in Step 11, and
cut the tubing into 4 equal pieces. Cut
each piece approximately 3 – 4” in
length. We will be using these pieces
in the next step.

Aquaponics Page 12
 STEP 15: CREATE GROW BED

15 PLUMBING SECTION

A: Attach Vinyl Tubing to Elbow

Take one of the sections of tubing and
attach it to the end of the 90 degree
elbow.

B: Attach Ball Valve

Attach a ball valve to the section of
vinyl tubing you previously attached.

C: Attach Vinyl Tubing to the Ball

Valve
Take another section of tubing and
attach it to the end of the ball valve.

D: Attach Elbow to Vinyl Tubing

Finally, attach a 90 degree elbow to
the end of the vinyl tubing. Make sure
the elbow is facing down into the
grow bed.

Aquaponics Page 13
 STEP 16: CUT TUBING 1” BELOW

16 GROW BED
Next, cut the vinyl tubing hanging
from the grow bed. Make a cut
approximately 1-2” from the bottom
of the grow bed.

STEP 17: INSTALL T-JOINT TO

17 VINYL TUBING
Once the tubing is cut, attach a
T-joint to the ends of the vinyl tubing.

STEP 18: CREATE FISH TANK

18 PLUMBING SECTION
Repeat Step 15 to create the fish
tank’s plumbing:
Tubing – Ball Valve – Tubing – Elbow Joint

Once assembled, connect the

plumbing section to the end of the
T-joint. If you want you can secure
the vinyl tubing in place with some
zip ties.

STEP 19: DRILL HOLE IN BASE OF

19 GROW BED
Using a 1¾” hole saw, cut a hole in
the base of the grow bed. Make sure
the hole is 7- 8” away from the front,
right corner of the grow bed.

Aquaponics Page 14
 STEP 20: MOUNT BULKHEAD TO

20 GROW BED
Next, take your bulkhead fitting
with the gasket on top and place
it through the hole in the base of
the grow bed. Fasten the bulkhead
underneath the grow bed with a
bulkhead nut.
STEP 21: ATTACH ELBOW TO

21 VERTICAL DRAIN
Take the threaded elbow and attach it
to the 6” drain.

STEP 22: INSTALL VERTICAL

22 DRAIN TO UNDERSIDE OF
BULKHEAD
Next, attach the vertical drain (which
you created in the previous step) to
the bulkhead on the underside of the
grow bed.

STEP 23: INSTALL HORIZONTAL

23 DRAIN TO ELBOW
Attach the horizontal drain to the
elbow of the vertical drain. Make sure
the elbow is facing down into the fish
tank.

Aquaponics Page 15
 STEP 24: CREATE & INSTALL

24 STANDPIPE FUNNEL
Take the standpipe and attach it to
the funnel, then install the standpipe
funnel into the bulkhead at the base
of the grow bed.

STEP 25: PLACE BELL OVER

25 STANDPIPE
Next, place the bell loosely over the
top of the standpipe.

STEP 26: PLACE MEDIA GUARD

26 OVER BELL
Place the media guard over the
bell. Make sure the slats are facing
downwards.

STEP 27: FILL GROW BED WITH

27 MEDIA
Before filling the grow bed with
media, make sure the threaded
drain at the bottom of the grow bed
is tight. Next, using clay pellets (or
your chosen grow media) fill the
grow bed 1–2“ from the top. Make
sure the media is evenly distributed
throughout the grow bed.

Aquaponics Page 16
 STEP 28: RINSE YOUR MEDIA

28 It’s important to rinse your media

thoroughly prior to planting and
filling the fish tank with water.

Once your grow bed is full of water,

the Siphon should “fire” and the dirty
water in your grow bed should empty
into the fish tank.

Rinse the media a couple times to

make sure you start with a clean
grow bed. To empty your fish tank of
the dirty water, you can use the drain
in the front of the IBC tote, or you
can redirect your pump to push the
water out of the fish tank onto your
lawn. You may need to rinse out the
fish tank of any media residue.

Aquaponics Page 17
 STEP 29: TEST YOUR SYSTEM & FINALIZE YOUR SETUP

29 ✓ Fill your fish tank with water.

✓ Slightly adjust the two faucet valves to open.

(Grow bed faucet and Fish tank faucet)

✓ Make sure your pump is plugged in.

✓ Check system plumbing for leaks.

Turn off the pump and fix any plumbing connections if necessary.
Turn the pump back on and test for leaks again.

✓ Once all leaks have been fixed, it’s time to tune your Siphon.

Ensure the pump is running and the grow bed is filling with water.
Once the water is approximately 10” deep the Siphon should “fire”
causing most of the water in the grow bed to empty into the fish
tank.

Once the water in the grow bed drops to approximately ½” deep,

the Siphon should “break” (or stop emptying the water). This in
turn, causes the water in the grow bed to rise again.

HELPFUL TIP

Check the Troubleshooting section in this book for information on how to fix
common Siphon “firing” problems.

Aquaponics Page 18
 Adding Your
FISH & PLANTS
CYCLING YOUR SYSTEM

Before you can add your plants and fish to your Aquaponics system, it is important
to focus on a key element that makes your system work, the bacteria growth.
Ammonia needs to be present to attract bacteria. This can be added in two different
ways - cycling with or without fish.

Testing your water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels will assist you
in ensuring that your system is healthy and cycling properly. We recommend
purchasing an aquarium test kit to check your levels and for future troubleshooting.
Keep in mind that when you achieve cycling, the system will in most cases run
on its own with little monitoring needed. Some testing of pH in the water will help
diagnose or ensure an optimal environment going forward.

CYCLING WITH FISH

Some people decide to add fish and plants on day one to kickstart cycling. This
method requires that the bacteria grows quickly enough to help convert the
ammonia from the fish waste.

Many people use goldfish for this initial cycling, as they are inexpensive and can
tolerate high levels of ammonia. Some of these fish may be sacrificed in obtaining
proper ammonia levels before adding your fish of choice such as tilapia.

When you begin to test the water, the ammonia levels will start to increase from
the fish waste or from leftover fish feed decomposing in the water. As you monitor
the water levels for a few weeks or so, you will begin to notice that nitrite levels are
beginning to increase and the ammonia levels may slowly drop.

This is a sign that one of the two healthy bacteria is growing, starting to convert
ammonia into nitrites. After another 10-14 days of this process, you should see
nitrite levels drop and nitrate levels increase as the second healthy bacteria starts
converting nitrites to nitrates.

Nitrates act like a plant fertilizer and will be used to feed the plants. Soon you will
see all levels drop to near zero, which shows that your system is cycling properly.

Aquaponics Page 19
 CYCLING WITHOUT FISH

Without fish, the system can take less time to cycle, and is often easier to set up.
Rather than relying on fish, you are introducing elements to the system. The key
step to start the cycling process is adding ammonia to the water. This can be done
using a few different methods.

The easiest way is to use the aquarium test kit mentioned prior. Other methods
include adding dead fish to your tank to decompose and provide ammonia or by
purchasing pure ammonia at your local hardware store.

Since you have no fish or plants to stress over, you can add larger doses of ammonia
to the water tank to begin faster growth of the bacteria. Make sure to monitor all
your levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates as you could begin cycling within 10-14
days time. Once your nitrate levels increase to 5-10ppm you can add your fish and
start planting.

FISH OPTIONS

Do some research on the species of fish you would like to use in your Aquaponic
system. A Popular fish used in Aquaponics systems are Tilapia as they grow fast
and withstand poor water conditions.

One of the main factors in your decision should be the water temperature you are
looking to maintain, and the foods you want to grow. Some fish require warm water
while others such as Trout prefer temperatures between 50°F – 68°F. You also
want to consider what is available in your local area, and where you can purchase
fingerlings (juvenile size).

Many Aquaponics growers have used crayfish/crawfish, mussels, or prawns, as

they make a nice addition to your system. Do your research as every different
animal has a preference in pH levels and water temperature. Find out what is
available to you and what works with your system.

Aquaponics Page 20
 FISH FOOD

So how many fish can I grow in my IBC Tote system? Every system has a slight
difference as we all have individual requirements. Your plant choices, the temperature
of your water, and the surrounding environment can impact how much you can grow.
With that all said, there is a general guideline we can all follow to help us establish
how many fish our system can support while keeping everything balanced.

One step that this system cannot provide naturally is food for your fish. Since this
is inexpensive, it’s a minor consideration, given how many vegetables and fish your
system will provide.

We recommend using fish pellets for feeding your fish. These can be purchased at
any aquarium store. So how much do you feed your fish? A good rule of thumb is to
feed your fish a small amount and see what they consume in 3 minutes.

If all the feed is gone, make note and add a little more on the next feed. We do not
want to overfeed as it can disrupt the balance of the water as the leftover food sinks
to the bottom and rots. Feeding smaller amounts a couple times a day is a great
way to start with smaller fish.

GROWING PLANTS

When planning out items to grow with your Aquaponics system we recommend
starting off with seedlings, as you can expect faster results and the plant is more
established. Since we are not using soil in our growbed, when planting your
seedlings, wash off all the soil so you are left with just the roots. With all the nutrients
coming from the water, you can plant your vegetables as close together as you like
to maximize space.

There are over 280 different plants that have been used in Aquaponic systems so
finding some that you want to eat should not be a problem. The key is to give
yourself variety, as you don’t want to eat the same vegetable everyday. Also, you
don’t want to pull all the plants at once, since the plants play a big part in how the
system works. Use different plants which provide food at different times to ensure
food is always available.

Here are a list of popular vegetable plants that work well in a Aquaponics system:
Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Leafy greens such as Lettuce & Spinach, Tomatoes,
Peppers, Peas, Herbs such as Basil & Mint and Kale/Swiss Chard

Aquaponics Page 21
 MAINTENANCE
One of the best things about having an Aquaponics system is that mostly everything is
designed to support itself with little maintenance required. Feeding your fish versus weeding
and watering on a regular basis is a great trade off.

With that said, there are still some routine tasks to ensure everything is working healthy.
Some tasks should be done daily while others can be done once a week or once a month.
Here is a itemized list to follow:

01
DAILY
✓ Feed fish twice a day (once a day is ok as well).
✓ Check the fish tank temperature so that your fish are
comfortable.
✓ Make sure your pump is running and there are no issues
with blockage or leaks.

02
WEEKLY
✓ Check ammonia levels to ensure water is healthy along
with your bacteria. - Check pH levels as levels can change
– ideal range should be 6.8 – 7.2
✓ Watch your water level – you may need to add a little.

03
MONTHLY
✓ Check for solid waste near the bottom of your tank, mix it
around so it gets pumped into the grow bed.
✓ Test Nitrate levels to make sure you have enough plants
using the nutrients. - Inspect pipes as some may need
removal and cleaning.

Aquaponics Page 22
 CONCLUSION

Having an Aquaponics system

can provide a sustainable
food supply by raising fish and
growing fresh produce.

This journey is not only fun and rewarding,

it helps you appreciate how this small
ecosystem comes together to provide for
you and your family. I hope you enjoy this
wonderful experience as more and more
people see the benefits of Aquaponics
systems all around the world. To some
this is a hobby, and to others it is a way
of life… either way, gardening will never
be the same.

Aquaponics Page 23
 Trouble Shooting Your
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
We have provided some answers to a few problems you may incur with your
Aquaponics system.

Keep in mind that your living organisms may become sick, or your system may
not be in balance. If you find that your questions or concerns cannot be answered
below, take the time to research online

Q. MY SIPHON IS NOT FIRING?

✓ Increase the amount of water flowing into the growbed.

✓ Make sure your piping is connected properly and not clogged.

Q. MY SIPHON WILL NOT STOP?

✓ Reduce the amount of water flowing into the growbed.

Q. MY FISH ARE NOT EATING, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

✓ Ammonia levels may be too high.

✓ pH is outside the optimal range.
✓ Water temperature may be too cold or hot.

Q. I HAVE ALGAE IN MY TANK, HOW DO I GET RID OF IT?

✓ Try covering the water tank as sunlight helps algae grow.

✓ Use an aquarium skimmer tool to remove once visible.

Aquaponics Page 24
 Q. MY PLANTS LOOK WILTED, WHAT IS WRONG?

✓ Too much water as the grow bed is not draining.

✓ Too little water (pump is on timer and not always on)
✓ Check water pH as it might be out of the ideal range.
✓ Not enough sunlight

Q. MY PH IS HIGH OR LOW, WHAT DO I DO?

✓ Test your water to see if there is a spike in ammonia.

✓ Check water temperature.
✓ Make sure the water pump is working.
✓ Ensure your siphon is firing.

Aquaponics Page 25
AQUAPONICS
DO IT YOURSELF GUIDE

A step-by-step guide to
growing your own food.

Having an Aquaponics system can provide a

sustainable food supply by raising fish and growing
fresh produce.